Microsoft reveals Windows XP pricing

Microsoft has officially announced the pricing for its Windows XP operating system, the day after online retailer Amazon.com for the second time mistakenly listed the prices for the highly anticipated software.

Microsoft will release two versions of Windows XP, one for individual consumers and one for corporate users, for $199 and $299, respectively, a U.K. spokeswoman confirmed on Friday. The upgrade version of the Home Edition will cost $99, while the upgrade version of the Professional Edition will cost $199, the spokeswoman said.

Those prices are consistent with the prices Amazon.com listed on its Web site Thursday. As the online retailer had done in July, it posted the prices allowing customers to preorder Windows XP, but by Thursday afternoon it yanked the product from its site. (See: Amazon slips with Windows XP pricing, again)

Pricing for the U.K. version of Windows XP was also released. Windows XP Home Edition will cost 179.99 pounds ($261), and 89.99 for the upgrade version. Windows XP Professional will cost 259.99 pounds, and the upgrade version will be 169.99 pounds, Microsoft said.

Windows XP will be launched worldwide on Oct. 25, Microsoft said.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.