Microsoft to slash Windows Vista prices

Microsoft is to slash the price of Windows Vista to coincide with the consumer release of Service Pack 1.

The price cuts will affect all varieties of the Windows Vista family, especially upgrade versions in an effort to capture new customers, and existing users looking for extra functionality.

The price cuts will come into effect when Service Pack 1 is released later in the year, although some early movement will be seen on www.amazon.com in the coming weeks.

With Windows Vista entering its second year Microsoft is keen to build on the 100 million licenses purchases in the last 12 months.

Business adoption of the operating system has been criticized by some Microsoft observers, and while figures show correlation with previous editions of Windows, Microsoft is keen to develop its user base in 2008.

Brad Brooks, corporate vice president for Windows Consumer Product Marketing said:

“Windows Vista has been on the market for more than a year now, with more than 100 million licenses sold in its first year. While this is great progress, we see an opportunity to grow our business even more with some of the new editions we introduced with Windows Vista.”