Starting tomorrow, consumers can purchase a new Windows 7 desktop or laptop, and receive a $15 upgrade to Windows 8 Pro when it's released later this year.
Alongside the release of Windows 8 Release Preview, Microsoft confirmed that consumers will be able to upgrade to the new OS for a mere $14.99. News of the upgrade surfaced last month, reporting that the upgrade will apply to consumers who purchase a new Windows 7 desktop or laptop after a specific date. Even more, the upgrade will be for Windows 8 Pro, and not for the plain vanilla version.
"Beginning June 2, 2012, Microsoft will roll out the Windows Upgrade Offer in 131 markets, including the U.S. and Canada," the company stated on Thursday. "Consumers who buy eligible Windows 7-based PCs through Jan. 31, 2013, can purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $14.99 (U.S.) during the time of the promotion."
Customers must purchase a PC with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate pre-installed -- and have a matching and valid OEM certificate of authenticity -- to be eligible for the $14.99 upgrade price.
"In addition to the Windows Upgrade Offer designed for consumers buying new Windows 7-based PCs, Microsoft will also announce other offers in the coming months that will help consumers with existing Windows 7-based PCs upgrade to Windows 8 when it is generally available," Microsoft added.
Additional details regarding the upgrade plan will be released later today, the company said.
Microsoft hinted in a blog on Thursday that Windows 8 may be released in October. The company said that if the feedback and telemetry on Windows 8 and Windows RT match expectations, then the Windows 8 team will will enter the final phases of the RTM process in about 2 months.
"If we are successful in that, then we are tracking to our shared goal of having PCs with Windows 8 and Windows RT available for the holidays," said Microsoft's Stephen Sinofsky.
UPDATE: Microsoft released additional information regarding the upgrade. "Beginning June 2, 2012, consumers who purchase up to five new Windows 7 PCs preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate will be eligible to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro upon general availability of Windows 8," the company said on Friday. "Qualifying purchases must be made before January 31, 2013, and offers must be redeemed by February 28, 2013."
"Unlike previous upgrade programs, Microsoft will manage the redemption process, including eligibility verification, payment, software delivery, and support," Microsoft added. "Delivery of Windows 8 Pro will occur via electronic software distribution."
Microsoft also outlines revenue recognition for the Windows Upgrade Offer, which can be read here.
I wouldn't switch to windows 8 from windows 7 if they paid me $15.
I wouldn't switch to windows 8 from windows 7 if they paid me $15.
Stay rational.
It is NOT for desktop use, and Microsoft should have designed two completely separate versions, one for touch and the other for desktops.
Windows 8 will be a huge failure, and stupid and stubborn Microsoft is going to lose a very large market share for their very big and costly mistake.
Windows 8 is going to be Microsoft's Waterloo.
Of course people have right to complain about the product they use daily. From what I have understand Windows 8 is more efficient with the resources and works slightly more optimized than the current version of Windows. However if you want to pay and upgrade to take advantage of this, you have to put up with the new gui style most of the people don't like even a bit. It's ok to introduce new ideas, but forcing it is simply stupid.
This is what happens when a bunch of people completely disconnected from the end-user get together and design something based on "cool new features" and "wow look at these shiny graphics and transitional animations" as well as "Hey, you know how users are used to using our OS and Servers for business, well screw what they need, WE define what they need and how they use it".
Well, news for you Microsoft, we have analyzed Windows 8 for our environment, and we are still happy on windows XP since 99% of all machining still runs on it. We have been happily transitioning to Windows 7 when old PCs need replacing, because it is an improvement that increases worker efficiency.
Personally, I believe Microsoft needs 10 years between every new OS. It takes them that long to do it right anyways. Windows XP was great, Vista was terrible and rushed, Windows 7 was what Vista should have been, and Windows 8 will be another "speed-bump" in the corporate world.
I have said this a million times, if Apple would just take the time to focus on corporate needs and server infrustructure from an IT viewpoint, no one would even use Windows anymore. I hate Apple with a passion, but I am certain they would do a better job. Apple has no interest in corporate though, they want to target the consumer, and it is working.
The issue here is that Microsoft is trying to take the Apple approach and focus on the consumer, but in the end they will just alienate their corporate market which could very well be the push people need to switch to alternative OS like Google's upcoming Desktop OS or Ubuntu.
Go google go! Make me an OS that works great for the corporate environment with server support so that I can stop dealing with Microsoft and thier licensing that doesn't make any sense.
Despite my feelings of how Windows 8 is, my 5 year old would be happy with this. Since I'm in the process of getting ready to order parts, here's a good question, does this offer apply to Home/System Builders/OEM License as well? If it has to be a preinstalled copy on a new system, well, I'm screwed and Windows 8 won't be on any new systems in my home any time soon?
Hey Tom's Hardware crew! Any chance of getting clarification on this?
ROFL, I was gonna write the same thing.. LOL