Microsoft Announces A Limited Time Windows 8 Pro Upgrade For $39.99

[Jack]

Microsoft has announced that users will be able to upgrade existing Windows PC to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99.

The announcement was made by Brandon LeBlanc over on the Windows Team Blog. According to LeBlanc, users currently running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 will be eligible for the $39.99 upgrade, which will be available in a 131 markets once the operating system hits general availability — a fancy name given to the public launch of the operating system.

However, there is a catch — the $39.99 upgrade will only be available as a download via the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. Users also have the option of purchasing a backup DVD for $15 plus shipping and handling or to buy a packaged DVD version of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will be available for $69.99.

The Upgrade Assistant will walk you through the upgrade process step-by-step, from purchase to download and then to installation of the operating system.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/07/02/microsoft-announces-a-limited-time-windows-8-pro-upgrade-for-39-99/

 

[ZeroDay]

I'm not a fan of Metro so far, but this is a nice find!

 

[WinAndLinuxTutorials]

That's good but people who run Windows XP or Vista should check their PC compatibility with Windows 8. My sisters' PC which is designed for Windows Vista can run Windows 7 but there is a BIOS problem with the battery. I tried Windows 8 on that machine and it just can't shut down, it hangs when doing it.

 

[pcjunklist]

Sounds like they want to artificially inflate their sales numbers so they can say "Hey look how many sales we had", but how many of them would have purchased at full retail? They do need to compete against Apple, whats the next OSX price something like $20?

 

[Spirit]

I have/will save my $40 dollars, so who want party guys

 

[McLovin]

That's good but people who run Windows XP or Vista should check their PC compatibility with Windows 8. My sisters' PC which is designed for Windows Vista can run Windows 7 but there is a BIOS problem with the battery. I tried Windows 8 on that machine and it just can't shut down, it hangs when doing it.

That was the first thing that ran through my mind. How can XP people upgrade to Windows 8 on the machine they have.

This is good though. Gives people the chance to get Windows 8.

 

[Ink]

Fingers-cross I can still get Windows 8 Pro for free, like I did with Windows 7 Pro and Vista Business.

 

[Spirit]

Fingers-cross I can still get Windows 8 Pro for free, like I did with Windows 7 Pro and Vista Business.

how you get them free is it by giveaway or some offer or the trick which everybody knows

I have read somewhere that trick will not work on windows 8 and they have to find some other option

 

[Ink]

I was talking about Microsoft DreamSpark.

 

[McLovin]

I might be able to get it free through, TAFE. Never though of that.

 

[Spirit]

How to Upgrade Windows 7, Vista or XP to Windows 8 Pro … for $39.99

After much speculation Microsoft, the software giant decided to offer Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. What news may uplift the mood of many Windows loyalists even more, is that not only PCs running Windows 7 will be eligible for this offer, but the ones running Windows Vista and Windows XP as well.

Those upgrading from Windows XP will be able to get only their personal files, while those using Windows Vista will be able to bring their personal files and Windows settings – but not Windows 7 software and applications.

Only Windows 7 users who will be able to enjoy the benefit of getting to Windows 8 Pro, everything; be it the Windows settings, personal files or the installed applications, announced Microsoft.

If you want to start fresh, you can choose to bring nothing along. You can also format your hard drive as a part of your upgrade experience, as long as you boot from media and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8, not prior to it.

How to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro:

Initially, Windows 8 Pro $39.99 upgrade will be available as a download via the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant only. When a user uses Windows.com to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will help him out. It will simplify the upgrade process via its step-by-step guide.
At first, the Upgrade Assistant will check the compatibility of a user’s system, making sure that his computer is ready to handle Windows 8.

It will then inform a user about any application or device compatibility issues. It will let him know if there is anything that needs to addressed before or after the upgrade and will outline the necessary actions to be taken.
Next, it will prompt you with the ‘Choose what to Keep’ option. Choose the desired option and click ‘Next’.

If all goes well, the Windows 8 Upgrade assistant should kick off the download. A built-in download manager will allow a user to pause and continue the download at any time as well as check if the download is completed fully or not.

Once completed and verified, a user can proceed with the upgrade installation by selecting the ‘Install now’ or ‘Install later’ option from his Desktop.

Alternatively, a user can create his own media. For instance, he can create his own bootable USB or .ISO file, which can be burned to a DVD for upgrade and back-up purposes.

Also, one can purchase a backup DVD for $15 plus or get packaged DVD of Windows 8 Pro from a local store, available for $69.99.


There will also be the option to add Windows Media Center for free via the “add features” option within Windows 8 Pro after the upgrade. This upgrade offer is sure to drive many Windows users towards a quick Windows 8 adoption.

This upgrade will not be applicable if you are building your own PC or installing Windows 8 on a Virtual machine or a separate partition. For such scenarios there will be Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder Products available for purchase.

The Upgrade offer will be valid up to 31st January 2013 and will be available in 37 languages, in 131 markets once the new version hits general availability.


source

 

[Spirit]

That's good but people who run Windows XP or Vista should check their PC compatibility with Windows 8. My sisters' PC which is designed for Windows Vista can run Windows 7 but there is a BIOS problem with the battery. I tried Windows 8 on that machine and it just can't shut down, it hangs when doing it.

That was the first thing that ran through my mind. How can XP people upgrade to Windows 8 on the machine they have.

This is good though. Gives people the chance to get Windows 8.

Here you can read about upgrading from xp:

http://malwaretips.com/Thread-How-to-Upgrade-Windows-7-Vista-or-XP-to-Windows-8-Pro-%E2%80%A6-for-39-99

 

[McLovin]

RE: How to Upgrade Windows 7, Vista or XP to Windows 8 Pro … for $39.99

Pictures are dead.

 

[Ink]

RE: How to Upgrade Windows 7, Vista or XP to Windows 8 Pro … for $39.99

Pictures are dead.

Visit the source then refresh, the images should work.

Makes sense, XP is ~10 years behind 8.

 

[HeffeD]

So is this price available now, or will be when Win 8 is released?

 

[Spirit]

So is this price available now, or will be when Win 8 is released?

after official release of win 8

 

[HeffeD]

after official release of win 8

OK, thanks.

I wasn't planning to upgrade, but at that price, I don't know if I could pass that up.

Although, I may wait. After playing around with Windows 8 in a VM, I don't think the OS is going to go over very well. In some areas, it appears that M$ was purposefully trying to make things confusing and difficult. (And no, I'm not talking about the removal of the Start button. That doesn't bother me...)

I guess that is to be expected when you try to create the same OS for touchscreen devices as well as desktop machines.

 

[Spirit]

after official release of win 8

OK, thanks.

I wasn't planning to upgrade, but at that price, I don't know if I could pass that up.

Although, I may wait. After playing around with Windows 8 in a VM, I don't think the OS is going to go over very well. In some areas, it appears that M$ was purposefully trying to make things confusing and difficult. (And no, I'm not talking about the removal of the Start button. That doesn't bother me...)

I guess that is to be expected when you try to create the same OS for touchscreen devices as well as desktop machines.

yeaps don't know if they have major change when stable version release but for now I cannot leave windows 7 for windows 8 and thus giving a sum of $40.

A good snacks party with family or friends will be their in that price with your computer still have best OS till date

 

[Ink]

Something to think about...

How much time do you spend using the Desktop (ie. whilst browsing, gaming etc)?

How much time do you spend using the Start / Menu?

How much time do you spend using Windows Explorer?

Now answer, how much do you think Metro will be a problem for you?

 

[HeffeD]

Something to think about...

How much time do you spend using the Desktop (ie. whilst browsing, gaming etc)?

How much time do you spend using the Start / Menu?

How much time do you spend using Windows Explorer?

Now answer, how much do you think Metro will be a problem for you?

1 - I use the desktop quite a bit while browsing. I tend to multi-task. In fact, I have Windows 8 setup so it goes straight to the desktop instead of Metro. I rarely game on my PC.

2 - Rarely. Although Windows 8 still does have a bit of a start menu. Right-click in the bottom left corner when the Metro panel pops up, or press Win-X. I do use Run a lot, but the same key shortcut used in the previous OS's, (Win-R) opens the Run box in Windows 8.

3 - Windows Explorer is one of my most often used tools.

4 - I never said that Metro will be a problem, merely that it makes the OS needlessly complex for a standalone machine.

Now we get two sets of (mostly) independent settings, (Control panel versus the Metro settings panel) and two sets of "programs". (Programs and apps) At least with Win-Q there is an easy way to access both from either Metro or the desktop.

Shutting down the system is also needlessly complicated. (Come on, did you honestly know how to shut down Windows 8 without have to look it up on the internet? ) It's so intuitive... Move your mouse to the upper or lower right-hand corner to open the charms bar, (Or Win-I) then select settings, then click the power button, then select shut down... There are a few other ways to shut down the machine, but none are as quick and easy as in previous OS's. (I ended up creating a shortcut that shuts down the machine. It sits on the desktop and as a tile in Metro. No muss, no fuss.

And why can't we close the Metro apps? That little X in the upper-right corner was too difficult to code? Granted, I know that the apps suspend automatically when they don't have focus, and the OS will kill them if it needs the RAM they're using, but it tends to get on my OCD nerves that I can't just close it when I'm done with it. I know you are supposed to be able to hover your mouse near the top border, and when the hand icon is displayed, you can drag the window, and supposedly you can drag it off to the side and it will close. However, I've never been successful at this. :blush: It just keeps bouncing back as soon as I let it go. So I end-task it.

So as I said, I'm sure I can get used to the way it works, it's just that many things that used to be simple are no longer as simple.

I guess my question for you to think about is: From a sheer desktop usage standpoint, does Metro actually add anything?

As I see it, it's great for touchscreen devices, and the ability to sync your home PC app loadout with your tablet/smartphone would be desirable, but if your only need from the OS is to run your standalone work machine, (we're not talking about a machine that spends 98% of it's time browsing...) what does Metro offer? Because unless I'm missing something, Metro only makes Windows 8 a bit like a two-headed monster. Is it a tablet? Is it a desktop? It's both!