Win 7 Home Premium Will Have Family Pack

Up to three people in the same household can now share in the Windows 7 love. But they have to keep it all inside the family.

Despite Microsoft's reduced price for Windows 7 Home Premium over the same version of Vista, analysts still feel that it's still a bit too pricey.

NPD Group VP of industry analysis Stephen Baker wrote last week about his displeasure that Microsoft isn't offering a multiple user license package like Apple is for Snow Leopard ($29 for a single user license and $49 for a family pack).

Ed Bott of ZDNet spotted signs in the latest leaked builds of Windows 7 a license agreement that mentions a Family Pack that provisions for three installations in the household.

The relevant section reads: "If you are a 'Qualified Family Pack User', you may install one copy of the software marked as 'Family Pack' on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there."

Microsoft has yet to make any formal announcements on pricing, but the existence of such a section in the licensing is as good as any confirmation that there will be some form of bundle discount for families who wish to install Windows 7 on multiple machines.

It's also worth noting that only Windows 7 Home Premium includes the licensing for the Family Pack. Large businesses that use Professional and Ultimate versions will have to pursue volume licensing agreements with Microsoft.