Microsoft Windows 10 on USB flash drives now up for pre-order

by Mark Tyson on 17 July 2015, 12:15

Tags: Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Windows 10

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Retail copies of Microsoft Windows 10 on USB flash drives have appeared on Amazon US. The Home version of the OS on a USB flash drive is priced at $119.99 and the Pro version is $199.99, both include free shipping, a gift wrap service is available. Amazon has provided a pre-order price guarantee.

We first heard that Microsoft may be preparing to physically distribute Windows 10 on USB Flash Drives back in June. Screenshots showing inventory of the Windows 10 Home and Pro Flash Drive SKUs were published on a German tech site. That 'leak' has turned out to be correct. Also correct is that the USB media will offer both 32-bit/64-bit install options to the buyer. However Microsoft doesn't seem to be charging a premium for its USB media distribution, as indicated by the German source last month.

No price premium

Microsoft previously confirmed that both digitally distributed and DVD distributed Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro SKUs would cost $119 and $199. Amazon has promised to honour these exact same prices for its USB flash edition product sales.

Venture Beat asked Microsoft about the Amazon listings linked to above, and received the following statement from a spokesperson: "Windows 10 will be available on USB drives for purchase in retail channels shortly after launch." On the subject of pricing the spokesperson told VentureBeat. "The suggested retail prices for Windows 10 in the U.S. are the same as Windows 8.1."

Offering Windows distributions on USB flash drives is obviously a good move and could be popular with PC enthusiasts, as many eschew ODD drive installations due to the lack of necessity, or due to owning one of the increasing number of chassis without an ODD bay.

Amazon puts the availability date of Microsoft Windows 10 on USB flash drives as 16th August. This seems to tally with Microsoft's "shortly after launch" statement above. Venture Beat reports that this 'abritrary date' will probably change and that other retailers including the Microsoft Store will, of course, be stocking the Windows 10 USB sticks.

HEXUS Forums :: 16 Comments

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Posted by DemonHighwayman - Fri 17 Jul 2015 12:54
The German source could have been talking about the EU market where consumers are typically ripped off far more than in the US.
Posted by iworrall - Fri 17 Jul 2015 18:08
As Demon posts, did you take VAT into account?
Posted by ed^chigliak - Fri 17 Jul 2015 22:33
Windows 7 pre-order was a much better deal. Ditto for Windows 8.

Free upgrade path is pretty worthless for anyone who wishes to retain their old OS. Best option now seems to be the free upgrade just before MS withdraw the offer. Software is bad enough on a mature OS never mind early days if a new OS. MS should give 12 month dual boot period and preferably longer.

At these prices Windows 10 is now on my ignore list for 12 months. After 12 months worth of bug fixes I might risk it.
Posted by jigger - Fri 17 Jul 2015 22:50
Whats wrong with a disk. You can store them forever.
Posted by this_is_gav - Sat 18 Jul 2015 09:56
jigger
Whats wrong with a disk. You can store them forever.
Because many thin and light devices aren't don't have DVD drives.

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