Due to the decision to include a ballot screen in Windows 7, Microsoft decided to cancel the special European editions, instead Europeans will receive the same version of Windows 7 as the rest of the world. Therefore, upgrade versions of Windows 7 will also be offered in Europe, but unfortunately this also means that the pricing of Windows 7 will have to be readjusted as Microsoft previously planned to offer the full editions of Windows 7 at upgrade prices in Europe.
As well as allowing for a Family Pack offer, it means that we are now able to have an upgrade version of Windows 7 available in Europe at launch. Windows 7 retail boxes will be available in both Full and Upgrade versions via pre-orders through Microsoft online stores where available and our retail partners starting September 1st and at General Availability on October 22. We will, however, continue to make Windows 7 N versions available that does not include Windows Media Player.Full details over here.
For customers who have already pre-ordered the full version of Windows 7 E in the EU – either as part of special pre-order offers or otherwise – they will receive full versions of Windows 7 that include Internet Explorer 8. These customers, and any other customer who pre-orders Windows 7 before upgrade versions are available on September 1, will still be able to get upgrade pricing for Windows 7 full versions.
Customers can also wait for September 1st, 2009 when they will have a choice of an upgrade or full version of Windows 7 at separate pricing. So essentially if you’re in Europe, you will have the product and pricing options available on a worldwide basis as of September 1st through the Microsoft Store and our retail partners.