The IDG-published magazine's PC Advisor Software Shop is one of only a handful of partners selected by the software giant to be the first ever UK ESD (electronic software delivery) vendors of Microsoft products.
This is the first time that Microsoft has allowed third parties to sell downloads of its products in the UK, and follows just weeks after the company's first ever trials of ESD in France and Germany.
PC Advisor has available for download a range of Microsoft products on its Software Shop, including upgrades and full versions of all flavours of Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010.
ESD is the practice of delivering software without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet. Digital distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media, such as paper or DVDs, reducing costs and waste. As broadband connections have become more widespread software downloads have become an increasingly popular method of purchasing programs.
Traditionally Microsoft has sold the majority of its operating system software via OEM (original equipment manufacturer) deals. Manufacturers would buy Windows licences from Microsoft and pass the cost of the OS on to customers when they buy desktop PCs and laptops. Similarly, Office licences have typically been sold in large chunks to enterprises.
As digital media has become more capacious, Microsoft has targeted consumers with software DVDs sold from high street stores, with download purchases available only direct from Microsoft. Thus the decision to allow selected third-party vendors is a significant move by Microsoft.
Commenting on the launch of Microsoft products on the PC Advisor Software Shop, PC Advisor Editor Matt Egan said: "We're delighted to offer our 1.2m readers a secure and speedy way to purchase flagship products from Microsoft. As the most-read technology magazine website in the UK we remain committed to our core focus of providing expert advice that you can trust on all aspects of consumer- and business technology.
"As well as our independent expert and user reviews, news and videos, and 300,000-member user forums, the fact that we can offer secure downloads of products from companies such as Microsoft, Kaspersky and Nero means that PC Advisor is truly a destination website for all technology fans."
