Last week, I bought a legal copy of Windows. I couldn’t help but laugh inside. I hadn’t bought a Windows product legally since the days of 98.

Think about it – when was the last time you actually bought Windows for your PC? Case in point…

People treat Windows as being free not because they didn’t have to buy the copy that came with their computer. People think of Windows as free because when they need a copy, they can get it from a guy they know. Someone has a copy they can just burn to a CD for you. Or you can get it on the peer-to-peer networks.

The previous quote was taken from a very interesting article I read a few years ago, via Digg. While the author was largely proving a point regarding the differences in pricing between Linux and Windows, I’ll never forget how he describes the relationship between Windows and consumers.

To be fair, pirating Vista proved to be a slightly more frustrating affair. Even today, the ability to crack Vista doesn’t come close to rivaling the ease with which XP could be freely disseminated. And yet, despite all this, I think the author’s sentiments still hold true; whether it be Vista or XP, there’s someone out there with a disc just for you.

Last week, however, I took advantage of Microsoft’s Windows 7 pre-order, and bought a copy of Windows Home Premium for $64.99. So what ‘s changed?

Those who were around during XP’s launch might remember all of the “Xtra-Pricey” puns that were attributed to its name.  Vista’s launch proved no different – and if anything, was more confusing, what with the five-or-so different product tiers, all expensively priced.

It’s a scenario that even Apple seemed to recognize, promising to offer it’s Snow Leopard OS upgrade for just $30 – a clear shot across Microsoft’s apparently over-priced bow.

The Windows 7 preorder was ultimately a smart move on Microsoft’s part. Offering what’s generally been regarded as an over-expensive operating system to early, eager users has made the pre-order wildly successful worldwide. Already, Amazon was showing the Windows 7 Preorder as the top electronics seller, just days into the pre-order period. In other countries, the pre-order has even been sold-out.

But is that all that’s made Windows 7 something worthy of purchase? Considering how disappointing Vista has proved for both consumers and manufacturers, those that have tried 7 know it to be a much-needed improvement over its predecessor.  The system is faster, the code more efficient, and the user experience a better affair than what Vista tried to offer.

The question is, are all these elements enough to change the habits of consumers? For an operating system that’s been regarded as “free” for so long, will the promise of lower pricing and better functionality convince users that this is the Windows they should finally buy? More so, will pirates face the same troubles with 7 that plagued Vista in its early days of release?

Time, of course, will tell, and you can be sure Microsoft will be keeping a close eye upon these very same statistics. For now, however, I know that I’m convinced that it might finally be time to start paying for Windows again.