I was very dissapointed in the lack of details about the upgrading procedure. For one thing, no-where on the pre-order site could I find what OS's you are allowed to upgrade from. I assume XP Home and Vista Home upgrade to Win 7 Home, and XP Pro and Vista Business upgrade to Win 7 Pro, but they never said anything definitive.

Also, will I need a CD key, official media, etc.. to actually perform the upgrade? I have an old XP Pro CD for my own computer, by my fiance's XP Home is an OEM version, and I don't have a Microsoft-branded CD.

Of course, since Win 7 copys everything, and what you can run is based on the product key you enter, maybe its doesn't matter, but it would have been nice to know in advance.

Any official word on whether the upgrade offer works with OEM Vista keys, or is it retail only?

You can do a clean install. I ordered mine from Newegg already. Check out Paul Thurrott's site to learn how to do the clean install. (He's 90% sure it will work like in Vista). Anyhow, $50 to get a licensed copy? I'm in...just wish I would have waited and got the 3 pack family upgrade....even better deal.

So only had it up for 2 weeks? Supplies? What about the family packs we have been hearing about? No family option for pre-order? So this is them TRYING to make people angry? I'm now full prepared to pirate Windows 7

This is a very tempting offer, windows 7 is one of microsoft's finest products to date and this price is very much within the realm of reason. While linux is my primary os of choice, I will consider this product for running games and other programs.

Doesn't this just upgrade your windows 7 starter edition when you get it? Or will it upgrade my XP to 7??

You can upgrade from any XP or Vista version to whatever W7 version you want.

What happens to my old Vista?

I read recently that a person called Microsoft and asked about the upgrade with clean install. He said the MS told him that he would have to insert the CD/DVD in for it to work. So it is like the old 98 days.

It could be wrong but I believe it. Not sure about product keys only but as long as you have the CD of the original it should work in full, clean install and all.

One thing I am not sure about is what bit I will get? When I bought the upgrade, it did not let me choose between the two.

It's pretty crappy that MS have forgotten most of the southern hemisphere with their pre order policy.

Being an Aussie I'd quite happily pay 50 USD for an upgrade. Instead I am going to have to pay the exhoprbitant upgrade price of 200 AUD which I wont do.

I don't see how MS are serious about helping to reduce piracy in the AsiaPac region when they wont offer the pre order price globally!

I'll pass. Too little details and conflicting information.

I honestly don't see a point in upgrading if you already have vista. Vista is going to support DX11. Sure W7 is going to look awesome and perform faster but I don't see the point of wasting money. Rather buy more ram or fans to oc more. Just my opinion.
=]

There is a WEALTH of information about upgrade paths if you people just used your favourite search engine.

Would have been nice to have this in Australia. Looks like I'll be sticking with Vista.

After I attempted to follow the reduced-price link at 12:45PM Central Time on July 11:

Looking for information about the Windows 7 Pre-Order Offer? The reduced-price offer has ended. But you can still be one of the first to get Windows 7. Just pre-order it from the Microsoft Store.

Nicely done, Microsoft! (sarcasm...) Could they have already run out of their "limited quantities"?

Actually I just went and its not giving the pre order prices anymore. I guess the last day was the 10th and then the 11th it was no more.

Kinda sucks since I wanted the upgrade but not sure if I will spend the $120 now.

Haha just barely got in. I was going to order off of Newegg, but I was 26 minutes after the price went up (very annoying). Then I realized that Amazon is on the West coast and that it still wasn't midnight over there. Hurried over - sure enough the price was still good - and promptly ordered.

Moral of the story: Procrastinating too far is a bad thing (notice the emphasis there ), but if you do, remember to check the time zone.

yup...just got mine off Amazon.

OMG, why don't you fanboys stop humping Balmer's leg for just one second and actually look what's under the hood of Windows 7 .... drum roll ... oh it's Vista code base...

How many flavors of Windows 7 is there now, 8 ??

Get a Mac and be happy, my upgrade to Leopard Snow costs me $29 -- what's your Windows 7 upgrade gonna cost you??? Bend over and Mr. Balmer will tell you exactly how much.