Windows 7 offered to students for ?30

Cash-strapped students will be able to pre-order Windows 7 for less than half the £80 price tag, ahead of the operating system’s official release on 22 October.

UK university students with a valid ‘.ac.uk’ email address from their institution will be able to pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional for £30, while US students with a ‘.edu’ address can get their hands on it for $30.

Microsoft’s offer opens on 30 September, and lasts until 3 January 2010. The company hopes that students who want to upgrade their system for the new academic year, but can’t afford a machine, will take advantage of the discounted price.

The offer is Microsoft’s latest effort to generate a buzz about its new operating system. Earlier this month the company began encouraging consumers to throw Windows 7 launch parties to stand a chance of winning a new PC.