Microsoft bets on Windows success
Windows 7 packages sold at a rate of three per minute during a special midnight opening of an electrical store to mark the launch.
More than 500 people queued outside PC World in central London to be the first to get a copy when the store opened at midnight on October 21.
The DSGi group, which includes Currys, Dixons and PC World, reported a huge surge in trade throughout the morning.
“Within an hour we were up 180% on sales,” said a spokesperson.
The figure was set against a standard day of Vista sales.
DSGi’s top selling upgrade was the home premium family pack, which contains licences for up to three users.
“The early signs are that customers appreciate the new operating system,” added spokesperson Anina Castle. “The sales so far are above our expectations.
The BBC’s Jason Palmer investigates Windows 7’s pros and cons
Speaking at the official launch of Windows 7 in London, Microsoft executives said they had listened to consumers and delivered a more streamlined, feature-packed system.
It follows widespread criticism of predecessor Vista.
Windows 7 faces stiff competition from rival operating systems and new ways of storing applications.
Microsoft is hoping Windows 7 will reinvigorate its plans to be at the centre of the home with features that make it easy to connect to other machines in the house and stream movies and music to them.
