HiI wanted to go for the pre-release offer but there was no offer for Ultimate? Why was that? Will there be one?ThanksJoe

Joe - No.. Windows 7 Ultimate was not included. The Ultimate version is being deemphasized for the most part with Windows 7. Microsoft changed the feature sets - especially in the Professional version - so that only those who are fairly hard core users would need Windows 7 Ultimate. Each higher version has all of the features of the ones lower on the chain. For instance, Home Basic has all of the features of Starter, plus a few abilities. Home Premium has all of the features of Home Basic plus the media center stuff and some other goodies. Professional has ALL of the features of Home Premium (including the media center) plus the advancednetworking features and XP Mode. Ultimate has all of the features of Professional and really doesn't add too much to it - except for Bitlocker, Branch Cache and a few odds and ends most typical users won't need.

OH No!I didn't realise that, and have now missed out on the deal!Don't suppose there is any way of taking up the deal now?

Joe - Well... No... The deal they had has been over with since the 11th of July. There's always eBay... Never know what kind of deal can be had there... I got a copy of Vista Ultimate Upgrade for $119 a while back. YMMV...

For most End Users Win7 Home Premium will serve very nicely & @ a reasonable cost compared to Ultimate. Drew MS Partner Pres. Computer Issues

For most End Users Win7 Home Premium will serve very nicely & @ a reasonable cost compared to Ultimate. Drew MS Partner Pres. Computer Issues Agreed... BUT those of us who spent the extra $$ for Vista Ultimate should be offered a reasonably priced upgrade path to Win7without being forced to do a clean install of Win7 then reinstall all programs, etc. IMHO, MS really should address this issue.

And how is this Microsoft's issue? If you want to get your money's worth you should run it for six or seven years (it is ahardware-tied license after all).

Granted, Ultimate was not part of the Bargain Upgrade paths... there were reasons for that which, Wolf addressed. However, IF, you want to stay w/ Ultimate you certainly can get a Win7 Ultimate Upgrade.http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Ultimate-Upgrade/product/592F5AF5Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

And how is this Microsoft's issue? If you want to get your money's worth you should run it for six or seven years (it is ahardware-tied license after all). So, a person that bought a lesser version can get an upgrade path that does not require re-installation of programs, but those of us that bought Ultimate have to do full reinstalls of all our apps. Does this circus get any more pathetic??!!! YES, it IS a MICROSOFT problem. What makes you think that forcing re-installs of applications is an enjoyable process? Perhaps we should bill all that time against your salary draw. I cannot believe some of the stuff that you gang boy mentality dopes up there spout!Even forcing the beta testers to re-install as opposed to upgrading the RC is not the brightest move, and no, it would not have been all that hard to incorporate.

And how is this Microsoft's issue? If you want to get your money's worth you should run it for six or seven years (it is ahardware-tied license after all). IF you REALLY believe this why are you on this forum? Surely you have another 4 1/2 years of using Vista before you start looking at Windows 7!MS are asking us to beta test to uncover bugs. This should extend to all versions.

And how is this Microsoft's issue? If you want to get your money's worth you should run it for six or seven years (it is ahardware-tied license after all). So, a person that bought a lesser version can get an upgrade path that does not require re-installation of programs, but those of us that bought Ultimate have to do full reinstalls of all our apps. Does this circus get any more pathetic??!!! YES, it IS a MICROSOFT problem. What makes you think that forcing re-installs of applications is an enjoyable process? Perhaps we should bill all that time against your salary draw. I cannot believe some of the stuff that you gang boy mentality dopes up there spout!Even forcing the beta testers to re-install as opposed to upgrading the RC is not the brightest move, and no, it would not have been all that hard to incorporate. HiYou guys seem to get steamed up, I for one preferr to have a clean install and that appears to be recomended by those who designed windows 7. At least with a clean instal you know the foundation of the OS is ok, this may help to stoperrors. I am looking forward to my copy ofwindows 7 and intend to treat it to a new hard drive, I've had enough of instability and pleased to take the time to re-install.I hope my view is treated as intended theres no need to be abusive, everyones point of view is valid.Davey

Joewalch-A) I do believe that if I hadinvested hundreds of dollars in Vista Ultimate I would not toss it unnecessarily, I would direct my Windows 7 dollars to my next PC. It was the other posters complaining of the cost, and the upgrade path, which are separate issues.B) I understood that all Windows 7 versions would require a clean install, with reinstallation, over XP, not just the Ultimate version.C) If the question is why the pre-order deal did not extend to Ultimate, it is a moot issue; the pre-order period has expired.