Microsoft announces price reduction for retail packs of Windows Vista consumer editions

Company Brief

New Delhi, March 18, 2008

Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited today announced a range of price reductions on the retail versions of Windows Vista, the latest operating system from Microsoft. Aimed at benefitting individuals (home users, self employed professionals & small business owners) purchasing stand-alone copies of Windows Vista, the price reduction is effective immediately and will be applicable only for Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate editions. The reduction varies from 13 percent to 39 percent, with the estimated retail price for Windows Vista Home Basic Edition now at Rs. 4,000, Windows Vista Home Premium available for Rs. 5,300 and Windows Vista Ultimate at Rs. 11,500 (all estimated street prices - may vary by city and partner).

Traditionally, most customers buy the Windows operating system as a part of a new PC purchase. However, with the boom in the Indian retail segment and an increasing inclination to buy original software, there is a growing uptake for retail packs of the Windows operating system. The revised price range for Windows Vista’s consumer editions is reflective of Microsoft’s efforts towards understanding the change in purchasing patterns of its consumers and its flexibility in responding to new market conditions.

“Today, there is a transformation taking place in the way consumers purchase software. With the rise of the retail industry in India, we are witnessing increasing demand for off-the-shelf computer software from the do-it-yourself audiences. This reduction in pricing will enable us to reach out to this set of consumers, while at the same time providing our channel partners with a greater opportunity to sell original software,” said Mr. Prasanna Meduri, Director – Windows Client Business Group, Microsoft India.

Globally, the revised rates of Windows Vista vary from market to market and the price cut in India is at par with emerging markets. In a growing market like India, this price reduction is expected to have a significant impact on consumers looking to upgrade to Windows Vista. The restructured pricing will also encourage first time Windows customers who want more functionality than what is available in current Windows XP, to move to Windows Vista. Further, the new price lines would also enable consumers to experience the benefits of original Windows software.

Over 100 million licenses of Windows Vista have been sold in its first year worldwide. India too has seen unprecedented uptake for Windows Vista and key customers in India include DeBeers, Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Infosys, KRaheja Corp, Larsen & Toubro, Macawber Beekay, Satyam, Symphony Services and TCS. Consumer uptake has also been incredibly strong with a majority of new PCs shipping with Windows Vista.

For further information, please contact:

Microsoft India

Nitin Thakur

Tel: +91 98733 47428

e-mail: nitint@microsoft.com