Microsoft Details Windows 8 Upgrade Plans

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Microsoft has released Windows 8 upgrade details to manufacturers.

Microsoft has reportedly shared with select partners some of the specifics in regards to upgrading from Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 to the touch-focused Windows 8 slated to launch later this year. These specifics are separate from the latest Windows Upgrade Offer which allows consumers who purchased a Windows 7-based PC between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013 to purchase a copy of Windows 8 Pro for $14.99.

According to a list obtained by ZDNet, users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 (entry-level) from Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium while maintaining their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications. They will also be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro from Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate while maintaining their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications.

As for Windows 8 Enterprise -- which will be available to volume licensees with Software Assurance contracts only -- customers will be able to upgrade from Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise while maintaining their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications.

Now for the legacy versions. For those upgrading to Windows 8 from Windows Vista without SP1 installed, only personal files (meaning data only) will be maintained. If upgrading from Vista with SP1, personal data and system settings will be maintained. Consumers still thriving on Windows XP will need Service Pack 3 or higher installed before upgrading to Windows 8. For this group, only personal files/data will be maintained.

Finally, consumers performing a cross-language and/or cross-architecture (32-bit to 64-bit) installation won't be able to upgrade or keep their Windows settings, files or applications. "Whether running Vista or Windows 7, these users won’t be able to keep their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications or data. They won’t be allowed to upgrade this way, period," ZDNet reports.

Windows 8 is expected to reach manufacturers in July 2012 while the consumer-based version arrives this fall.

Now the question remains: Is Windows 8 Worth $15 for New PC Owners?

Kevin Parrish
43 Comments Comment from the forums
  • sykozis
    Finally, consumers performing a cross-language and/or cross-architecture (32-bit to 64-bit) installation won't be able to upgrade or keep their Windows settings, files or applications. "Whether running Vista or Windows 7, these users won’t be able to keep their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications or data. They won’t be allowed to upgrade this way, period," ZDNet reports.
    Kinda makes it sound like this is something new....
    Reply
  • drwho1
    "Now the question remains: Is Windows 8 Worth $15 for New PC Owners?"

    Weird, I thought that this stupid question had been answered already.
    Just in case, the answer again is NO.
    I won't be downgrading to Windows 8.
    Neither will most users, we will continue using Windows 7 until a REAL OS warrants an upgrade.

    Is that clear enough?
    Reply
  • For a desktop PC, windows 8 is absolute garbage. I smell a failure on a scale greater than vista, just IMHO.

    Its great for tablets - however, what is great UI wise for tablets is NOT good for a desktop PC.
    Reply
  • master_chen
    :)
    Reply
  • killerclick
    What will Microsoft do when they see Windows 8 adoption rates start dropping after a month or so? Is there going to be a free, mandatory upgrade from Windows 7? That's been their behavior lately, "if you don't like what we're doing, then you're wrong"
    Reply
  • wlachan
    W8 could be the reason for the Mac sales surge the next 5 years.
    Reply
  • whimseh
    I wouldn't upgrade if it were free. Windows 8 is terrible for desktops, what are they thinking?
    Reply
  • shafe88
    killerclickWhat will Microsoft do when they see Windows 8 adoption rates start dropping after a month or so? Is there going to be a free, mandatory upgrade from Windows 7? That's been their behavior lately, "if you don't like what we're doing, then you're wrong" There isn't going to be a "free" mandatory upgrade, Microsoft would never give their OS away for free. What Microsoft will do is implament secure boot to prevent people from downgrading to win7 and to force people to upgrade to win9.
    Reply
  • odd_enough
    *facepalm*

    Is it worth it? HELL YES. I was against the desktop experience until I actually tried it as a workstation OS at home. "downgrade"? You, sir, are out of your mind. I normally work with multiple windows open at a time at the office. Yes, I understand it looks like it would be a downgrade, but I assure you, as a 3D artist who works with many multiple demanding programs at a time, this is an absolute step UP. The multi-monitor support is a very much needed upgrade. As for non-business users, I don't see Win8 being bad either. Metro is ultra-intuitive and the flow is perfect.

    So again, *facepalm* Why is everyone so scared of something different? O_o
    Reply
  • DarkenMoon97
    It doesn't matter, unless W8 gets a huge change, i'm not upgrading.
    Reply