Microsoft just announced that all Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro once released for $39.99 in 131 markets via Windows.com. As an added option, after the download finishes, users can elect to also buy a backup DVD for $15 plus shipping and handling. Additionally, Windows Media Center which we all thought would be an additional cost will be available within Windows 8 Pro as a free option after you upgrade to Windows 8. If users would prefer to get a physical disc and not perform the upgrade online, packaged DVD Windows 8 Upgrades will be available for $69.99. Both the upgrade promotion online and at retail stores will only run through January 31st, 2013 so it’s obvious Microsoft is looking to make this a huge push to get all its Windows Users upgraded quickly. This news comes just days after Microsoft hinted at the upgrade paths to Windows 8 users can expect as well as the discounted price for Windows 8 for those users who bought a new PC in 2012 before the release of Windows 8. Overall, I’m impressed to see that Microsoft dug deep on this one. Allowing users to go from Windows XP all the way to Windows 8 for just $39.99 is a classy move. Update: For those of you running a Pre-Release of Windows 8 like the consumer preview, here’s an update from Microsoft regarding the upgrade options as well as the upgrade cost to Windows 8 RTM: Via Windows Blog
Could this inexpensive upgrade pricing be a sign of weak faith in Windows 8 sales? I think it could be, but I’m not so sure. Regardless of Microsoft’s reasoning, it’s a smart move to get as many users as possible onto Windows 8. If I were them, I’d be offering it for free. Getting users into Windows 8 means getting users into Microsoft’s new Metro platform and the Windows appstore. If Microsoft wants to take a bite out of Apple, this is the best way to do it. Once you’ve purchased enough apps in one market, you won’t want to switch. I know plenty of people with iPhones who’ve purchased 1000’s of apps and songs. They will never switch to Android simply because they don’t want to lose all of their purchases. I do think at some point in the future developers will make a push for “cross-platform” app purchases, but for now it’s a monopolistic situation where whoever can pull in the users wins them over permanently. Looking long-term I agree, publishers need to settle on a single platform to sell all their apps. I personally only buy games from Valve Software – http://store.steampowered.com/ Buy the game for PC and get it on the MAC and Linux. Would be great to have them dip into the mobile market. :) This is a great deal considering you can upgrade from XP — according to Microsoft’s announcement last week about Windows 8 upgrade paths. https://www.groovypost.com/news/windows-8-upgrade-options/ I am sure the Apple OS X upgrade price played a role in the decision. This move is, I believe, an attempt to try knocking XP out of the equation as well as bringing the corporate world onto win 8 at an affordable price point. Personally, I can’t wait to grab a surface pro or other similar win 8 slate which can fully integrate with our remote servers Does your company have a EA which gives you the upgrade to Windows 8? I’m thinking this could be a great way for Corps. to upgrade to windows 8 even if they don’t have an EA….. Very low price for the upgrade. Brandon LeBlanc “People can move from the Windows 8 Release Preview to Windows 8 Pro using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant and will only have the options to migrate their personal files or keep nothing at all when upgrading. People moving from the Windows 8 Release Preview will need to make sure you have an underlying license for either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. “ Not sure how they will confirm if you have an underlying Windows XP/vista/7 license either… The upgrade price of $39.99 is only good for 1 PC. In regards to the upgrade path — read this article here about what can be upgraded / migrated vs. a clean install: https://www.groovypost.com/news/windows-8-upgrade-options/ Here’s the solution: Step 1 – Run Disk2VHD and convert your Windows XP system to a Virtual Hard Drive File. Here’s the article with step-by-step – https://www.groovypost.com/howto/turn-physical-computer-virtual-machine-disk2vhd/ Step 2 – Upgrade to Windows 8 and enable the Hyper-V Feature to run the Virtual XP box you just created — https://www.groovypost.com/howto/windows-8-hyper-v-virtual-machines/ There is a new requirement for running the Hyper-V feature under Windows 8. https://www.groovypost.com/howto/can-my-windows-8-pc-run-hyper-v-slat/ Be sure to read this article to determine if your CPU supports SLAT technology. It’s a bit new but all Nehalem Intel Procs and later support it. The later AMD CPU’s also support it. Hope that helps! Comment Name * Email *
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