Microsoft is offering users running Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 an offer to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99.
Microsoft officials shared details about the latest promotion on July 2 on the Windows Team blog.
That's
substantially cheaper than Microsoft traditionally charges for
"upgrade" versions of Windows. With Windows 7, Microsoft charged users
roughly $119 to $219 (estimated retail prices) to upgrde from comparable
versions of Vista to 7.
The coming offer, available through
Windows.com, is good in 131 markets, according to today's blog post.
Windows Media Center can be added for free to this bundle through the
"add features" option after the upgrade. (Microsoft officials have said
previously that Windows Media Center would be a low-priced add on to
Windows 8 Pro.)
Those purchasing the Windows 8 Pro upgrade
through Windows.com also will have the option of purchasing a backup DVD
for $15 plus shipping and handling. Those preferring to buy from a
local store will be able to purchase a packaged DVD version of the
upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $69.99 during this promotion period.
This upgrade promotion for Windows 8 Pro both online and at retail runs through January 31, 2013. It commences as of the general availability of Windows 8, confirmed a tweet from a Microsoft public relations rep.
Microsoft officials announced recently another Windows 8 upgrade promotion -- the $14.99 Windows 8 Upgrade offer available to those purchasing new Windows 7 PCs between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013.
Microsoft
officials also disclosed officially the supported upgrade paths for
Windows 8 in a fairly general way in today's post (thanks @TheRackow). I
posted late last week more complete information that has been shared
privately with select individuals about the upgrade options available to XP, Vista and Windows 7 users for Windows 8.
Microsoft officials have not said publicly when Windows 8, in its four or so various flavors, will be generally available. The latest rumored release-to-manufacturing dates for Windows 8 are now centering around July 2012, with the rumored general-availability date expected by many to be in October 2012.
Update:
By the way, upgrades are not the main way most users get the latest
version of Windows. Far from it. Most -- both consumers and business
users -- tend to wait until they are getting new PCs preloaded with a
new version of Windows, rather than take the time and trouble to upgrade
their existing PCs.
By Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft |
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Windows 8 Upgrade Push
11:39 AM
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