Is Windows 7 in the Family Way?

Geoff Spick
03 July 2009, 12:45 PM


Some "casually" left text in a post-release candidate beta of Windows 7 suggest a family pack is on the way.


In part of the end-user agreement in a recently leaked beta, a keen-eyed tester has noticed mention of a "Family Pack" version of Windows 7. The concept will be familiar to Apple users who have had such a thing for around seven years now, allowing users in the same household to install the same copy of the OS, to keep all their machines in sync.

It appears Microsoft will limit the pack to three machines, which isn't bad - the main family desktop and mummy's and daddy's laptops is an obvious permutation - but somewhat down on Apple's limit of five. Clearly Apple users have big families, or just rows and rows of Macs, carefully polished by a daddy who doesn't get out much.

According to the Ars Technica story, the text in the Home Premium edition EULA says:

"b. Family Pack. If you are a "Qualified Family Pack User," you may install one copy of the software marked as "Family Pack" on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there. Those computers are the "licensed computers" and are subject to these license terms. If you do not know whether you are a Qualified Family Pack User, visit go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=141399 or contact the Microsoft affiliate serving your country."

The link is not yet live, but that's a pretty firm confirmation of what a lot of users had been hoping. Microsoft isn't saying anything, yet, but will probably be waiting a week or two to let the pricing announcements sink in. Plus, it will want to get the Fourth of July holidays out of the way, when Americans have other things on their minds. Ultimate moral of this story, you really can't keep a secret in the tech world any more.

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Halcon (User):

Bah! that's nothing if you compare with OS X 5 license, costing a lot less in the USA, also this is targeted to the home users with the lesser version instead of the Ultimate.
I am not impressed by this stunt, Microsoft will have to make an adequate offer to convince the vast majority in buying the OS with the lot lot.

03 July 2009, 1:11 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

todd_h86 (New user):

Quoting Halcon:
Bah! that's nothing if you compare with OS X 5 license, costing a lot less in the USA, also this is targeted to the home users with the lesser version instead of the Ultimate.

Get over it mate, ooooo OSX has 5 user license ooooo, at least MS is going ahead by allowing 3 user instead of 1 which means they are listening to concerns from ages ago finally, but also think about it, how many people have 5 PCs in there house and will upgrade them all to the next OS? probably not as many as 3...... Also, Home Premium is the best fit for the majority of users, it has the media center and other nice features but no way not encryption or gasp cannot join a domain or even run XP mode.... I can see so many home users being dissapointed in that... Home Premium isnt a 'lesser version' its another version.

Halcon you are a douche and should not comment on anything Microsoft related because all your posts are the same, my god they dont offer 5 user licenses my god Microsoft will need to improve to make people buy a lesser OS my god. Go try Windows 7 Home Premium, then try Ultimate and let us know if you are missing out by using the lesser version.... and I mean in a home environment, not in a work place with domains.




03 July 2009, 3:12 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Halcon (User):

Are you working for Microsoft or this company pays you to talk like that?
haven't you read the other news about the people's reaction against Microsoft?
seems you are indifferent regarding the licensing options, to me 5 would be adequate if a the price would be lower and prove to be a value for money.
I am specialising to be an IT, I know what is good not only for me but for other people as well.
I could recommend them to use Linux instead of Windows, so they save money as well; as not all prefer this alternative, some are willing to risk and pirate the software anyway.
While I disagree with this behaviour, I can't force them, is their choice, not mine.

03 July 2009, 6:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Douglas (New user):

Hate to tell you this, Halcon, but people out there actually, gasp, like Windows, or perhaps even need it! And you cannot know what is good for you and other people as well, as everybody has different needs and wants: what you want and need from a computer might be very different to what I want and need from a computer. Ditto for myself and my mother.

(And if you ask me, with a Mac, you're getting half the computer for twice the price).

03 July 2009, 8:28 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ken Johnson (New user):

It's about time for Microsoft to do something like this. Microsoft has do something since Vista has killed everything. i think it's a good idea. We will have to wait to see what's the cost!

03 July 2009, 1:47 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ryan Hothersall (User):

An interesting idea. It will only work if it is not at a crazy high price.

I would find it useful as I have two desktops and a laptop.

03 July 2009, 6:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Halcon (User):

Microsoft makes fraudulent claims on everything that makes, So I don't believe them.
What will be next? wake up everyone, this is simple suppositions about the licence method.
To simplify the things, Microsoft has become the scam artist company that other software companies try to imitate, creating a fear factor with its insane conditions and unrealistic pricing.

03 July 2009, 7:00 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TV Bis (New user):

Why are people so intent on getting a product that has cost millions to develop for free?? The only reason why Mac gives a licence for five computers is because it is the underdog. You have to attract users somehow and offering these little tit bits keeps the minority smiling.
Microsoft may be slow to respond in a lot of ways but at least they are responding. I would like to see Mac OS change every two years and too cater for many devices and software not just for a Mac.
Both OS's are great so let’s not keep bitching about something that will most likely change again in a few more years.
If everyone is so uptight about Microsoft products then give it a rest – go find a new job or hobby.
Its only computers software for Pete sake!!!!!!!!!!!!


03 July 2009, 7:55 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

rjsquires (New user):

Just like Office Home and Student 2007. It could be considered a family pack as it has 3 licences for 3 PCs. So this could work - a good (positive) move from Microsoft...now if only they could reduce the price for a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade, everyone would be happy!!! :-)

03 July 2009, 10:11 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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