Windows 7 upgrade details leak out

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Neowin covered this back in early January, but with all the other Windows 7 news from CES that was coming out at the time, it seems to have been overlooked by other outlets. Now it seems to be making its way around the Internet again today. A document has leaked out that details the upgrade plans for users who purchase PC's with Vista this summer. According to the document obtained by Tech Arp titled " The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev 2.1" states that computers purchased after July 1st will be eligible to upgrade to Windows 7 free of charge.

The plan will follow in a similar path the Windows XP and Vista transition occurred. The idea behind the plan is to not prohibit people from purchasing computers as they wait for Windows 7 to be launched.

"Upgrades will be tier-for-tier, with Vista Home Premium users getting to switch up to Windows 7 Home Premium, Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional, and Vista Ultimate users getting an upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate. Additionally, 32-bit to 64-bit upgrades will not be allowed -- but folks using the 32-bit version will get to perform a clean install of the 64-bit version. Lastly, a system that has a valid Vista license but is running XP under the downgrade scheme will be allowed to perform a fresh install of Windows 7."

If you thinking of purchasing a new PC and can hold off until July it may be worth your while. While this isn't an official announcement it seems that it's pretty close to what the final plan will be.

#1 Chasethebase on 12 Feb 2009 - 18:37

Great stuff, I'll be buying my Uni laptop after July, so that's great news!

(2 replies) #2 bluboy on 12 Feb 2009 - 18:39

watch PC and laptop sales slide now!!

#2.1 Airlink on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:34

You're amusing that most laptop buyers know that Windows 7 is coming up. I've got news for you: Most of them are not that tech savvy. (And I use that term loosely). They just want something shiny with the appropriate amount of bells and/or whistles.

#2.2 Shunik Jan on 13 Feb 2009 - 06:52

Oh and your Messiah Steve Mobs (Simpsons) would think others are blasphemous. At least think before you post trash.

#3 blachole on 12 Feb 2009 - 18:42

I'm sure the manufacture's love when this kind of information gets leaked..

#4 DSLJay on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:04

Very cool info. I am planning on purchasing a new laptop by the end of the year.

(1 reply) #5 briangw on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:22

I'll wait until the launch party comes to the Minneapolis Convention Center to pick up my copy!

#5.1 iamwhoiam on 12 Feb 2009 - 22:50

I missed the launch party for Vista. I got it through PowerTogether.

I also go to a lot of Microsoft events when they come to my area and get all kinds of stuff.

(7 replies) #6 freeza on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:28

Now all we need are real prices and not rumored ones.

#6.1 Airlink on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:35

Oh that. That one's easy:

Pirate it: Free
Pay for it: Paid too much.

Just like any other Windows OS.

#6.2 mclaren05 on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:05

Also works for OSX

Pirate it: Free
Pay for it: Same as Windows and then some.

Just like any other Apple OS.

#6.3 +Kirkburn on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:17

That's fantastic justification for stealing a car. I'll remember that in court.

#6.4 miguel_montes on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:43

Yeah, right, stealing a car... it's the exact same thing.

Correction: making a copy of the car but leaving the original in the stand.

#6.5 C_Guy on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:56

Oops, it is the same. Just look at this mathematical proof:

stealing = stealing.

People like YOU are why we have Windows Genuine Advantage. Thanks a lot.

#6.6 nonick on 12 Feb 2009 - 21:20

Are you trying to insult him? Because that didn't really work..

#6.7 RealFduch on 13 Feb 2009 - 00:57

miguel_montes said,

Correction: making a copy of the car but leaving the original in the stand.

That's what US government says every time it speeds up the money printing machine.

#7 TheNay on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:37

Sounds good, let's hope it's true for people who buy PCs after July cos 7 is by far better than Vista from what I've tried.

#8 Sevan on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:38

I might be getting a new Laptop in May, but I always get Microsoft Software for free. I beta test a lot of stuff.

#9 KavazovAngel on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:43

This is a great news. I was waiting for the i7 prices to drop a little, but now with this, I think I'll wait a little longer. Who knows, I might get Windows 7 for free, plus the voucher from my university with which I'll pay the shipping... Hmm.. A great deal.

(1 reply) #10 jjrambo on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:13

So i guess i got my Laptop in August. So free upgrade to Windwos 7 Home Premium.

#10.1 nekkidtruth on 15 Feb 2009 - 09:47

You're misunderstanding. They're referring to July of THIS year (2009). Not last year.

#11 ahhell on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:27

Is anyone actually surprised by this "shocking" news?

#12 Marshalus on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:38

Just so we're clear, this news was covered by us last month... but it's been picked up by a lot of other sites and is making its way around the Internet -- so we're just putting this up as a friendly reminder for those who may have missed it with all the other Windows 7 news that was going around the net at the time.

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/07/m...s-1st-july-2009

#13 duneworld on 12 Feb 2009 - 21:22

I'm wondering if you buy a new computer with Vista on it at the correct time to be ABLE to upgrade to 7, if there will be some kind of deadline after which you won't be able upgrade.

#14 Infusion- on 12 Feb 2009 - 22:43

Are you guys all new?

This is the same as it was with Vista. I mean, what the hell? Why is this so hard to figure out?

(1 reply) #15 mls67 on 12 Feb 2009 - 23:53

Ok I am really sick right now so I might be stating the obvious. So I can upgrade from vista ultimate 32bit to 7 ultimate 64bit, but it will just have to be a clean install. So we can do a clean install with an upgrade dvd?

#15.1 Slimy on 13 Feb 2009 - 02:35

mls67 said,

Yes.

#16 cropcircles on 13 Feb 2009 - 17:57

Upgrading from one operating system to another sounds like a nightmare. Its scary enough upgrading software or browsers. It certainly is a great idea and a wonderfu benefit for those who have bought Vista. Hopefully with the upgrade if this "rumor" becomes factual it will include a cleaning program at the end to get rid of all the useless loads of crap that will be sitting in C:\Windows directories. Fresh install is always the way to go and hopefully they will include that as an option.

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