People can pre-order copies of Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7 from tomorrow from selected retailers.

However the £50 price tag means that the software is bound to be snapped up quickly by bargain hunters as this will be a limited stock and the RRP will be £79.99 when the software is launched in the autumn.

In the past Microsoft has offered low-cost ‘Upgrade’ editions of Windows users who already own a previous version, but Microsoft says that “technical issues” related to its removal of Internet Explorer from Windows 7 have prevented it from doing the same with Windows 7 in Europe.

However, from its launch on the 22nd October until “at least” the end of the year full copies of Windows 7 Home Premium will cost just £79.99 in the UK. This is the same price as the more limited Upgrade editions of Windows Vista.

“We’re very interested in making sure that UK consumers get as good value as everyone else in the world”, said Microsoft’s John Curran.

Microsoft said the decision to offer a discount was to thank “its loyal customers and enthusiasts, especially those who have taken part in the Beta and Release Candidate (RC) programmes,

“Microsoft is making pre-order copies of Windows 7 available through selected retail partners at one-off promotional prices* of around £49.99 for Home Premium and £99.99 for Professional.

If you are replacing an older version of Windows with Windows 7 once it arrives on 22 October, a clean install of the operating system and the installation of an internet browser will be required. Information on this can be found on Microsoft’s website as well as more general information on Windows 7.

To pre-order a discounted copy of the final version of Windows 7 you need to contact Microsoft’s retail partners after 12:01 a.m. on 15 July or go to the Windows 7 pre-order website. Below is the list of the selected retailers that will offer the discounts both online and instore.
Amazon.co.uk,
Argos
Comet
Currys
Dixons
Ebuyer.com
John Lewis Partnership
Littlewoods
Micro Anvika
PC World
Play.com
Staples
Tesco