windows 8 Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99

[theyarecomingforyou]

We set out to make it as easy as possible for everyone to upgrade to Windows 8. Starting at general availability, if your PC is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 you will qualify to download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $39.99 in 131 markets. And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the ?add features? option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade.

If you prefer to shop at a local store, a packaged DVD version of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will be available for $69.99 during this promotion.

This upgrade promotion for Windows 8 Pro both online and at retail runs through January 31^st, 2013.

We wanted to share information about this upgrade promotion with you as we continue to drive toward the RTM milestone for Windows 8. We will of course have more to say and more details to provide closer to general availability.

Source: Windows Team Blog

[rfirth]

And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the ?add features? option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade.

Now that is excellent news!

[zhangm Supervisor]

It is a smart decision on their part. While they might not be making a huge amount of money straight off Win8 sales, they do need to "buy" a rapidly expanding user base in order to get developers onto the platform.

[George P Global Moderator]

I'll be getting my Pro copy for sure, time to upgrade to 64bit finally.

[Miuku.]

Now that is excellent news!

I don't see why the whole Media Center is such a big deal, XBMC and equivalents blow it into bits and offer way, way more features for 0?/$.

[FaiKee]

I'll be getting my Pro copy for sure, time to upgrade to 64bit finally.

You must first have a running x64 windows, otherwise you won't be able to download the win8 x64 version.

[Chasethebase Veteran]

Well this is interesting news, really it shouldn't be a promotion, but more the actual price, maybe not for Pro but the standard edition sure. At this price I'm probably going to pick it up (As long as this offer is also available internationally).

[George P Global Moderator]

You must first have a running x64 windows, otherwise you won't be able to download the win8 x64 version.

As far as I know you should be able to use a 64bit upgrade copy to go from 32bit to 64bit even if it's technically a clean install. Either way I'll be going to 64bit with Win8, if I have to pay a bit more then I'll just swing for an OEM copy.

[theyarecomingforyou]

You must first have a running x64 windows, otherwise you won't be able to download the win8 x64 version.

You can upgrade, it just won't migrate your programs - only your data.

[rfirth]

I don't see why the whole Media Center is such a big deal, XBMC and equivalents blow it into bits and offer way, way more features for 0?/$.

Because I use Media Center as a DVR... so no, XBMC does not blow it to bits, nor does it offer more. It doesn't provide the basic functionality that I require.

No hard feelings, XBMC. You're just not for me.

[Stokkolm]

Is Win8 pro equivalent to Win7 Ultimate? Does it have all features of Home Premium + the Pro features like bitlocker and whatnot?

[vanx]

Low upgrade price won't tempt me. Win 7 is rock solid and I think Metro look is bleh, so 0-2.

[Sszecret Veteran]

Well this is interesting news, really it shouldn't be a promotion, but more the actual price, maybe not for Pro but the standard edition sure. At this price I'm probably going to pick it up (As long as this offer is also available internationally).

The promotion is available until Jan. 31st 2013, so there's plenty of time. As for the international availability, they do say you'll be able to take advantage of it in 131 markets.

[FaiKee]

You can upgrade, it just won't migrate your programs - only your data.

As far as I know you should be able to use a 64bit upgrade copy to go from 32bit to 64bit even if it's technically a clean install. Either way I'll be going to 64bit with Win8, if I have to pay a bit more then I'll just swing for an OEM copy.

You guys don't get my point: when you run the WindowsUpgradeAssistant.exe, it downloads the same version as the running OS, no choice to select a x64 if you are running a x86

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1088419-will-you-be-able-to-install-a-clean-version-of-windows-8-with-the-pro-upgrade/page__st__15__p__594975777#entry594975777

Actually you can try out the UpgradeAssistant for WRP to have an idea, the main difference is that for the RTM version, after it check that your machine(and OS) is eligible for upgrade, it will direct you to the payment page, the other procedures are basically the same.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

So...that's what I said, if you want to have a win8 x64, you need to run the WindowsUpgradeAssistant.exe in a XP/Vista/Win7 x64, then you will download a win8 x64.

[ozgeek]

I don't see why the whole Media Center is such a big deal, XBMC and equivalents blow it into bits and offer way, way more features for 0?/$.

Because WMC works great for me. it's built into Windows 7 so less programs, the better. And because it just works without much messing around and records tv shows with out any problems.

[cork1958]

Those prices are what it SHOULD cost anyway! Have no intentions of getting it for a good while. Like maybe 14 years afterwards, if MS supports it as long as they have XP, which I'm sure they're going to have to do!

[George P Global Moderator]

Is Win8 pro equivalent to Win7 Ultimate? Does it have all features of Home Premium + the Pro features like bitlocker and whatnot?

Kinda, Win8 Pro is missing some business stuff that's only in Windows 8 Enterprise. So really Enterprise is the new Ultimate.

[FloatingFatMan]

So, being cynical as ever, that'll probably translate to GBP ?39.99 as well, right MS? :p

[Lee G. Veteran]

Kinda, Win8 Pro is missing some business stuff that's only in Windows 8 Enterprise. So really Enterprise is the new Ultimate.

Indeed. Here's a comparison chart of the Windows 8 editions: http://en.wikipedia....omparison_chart

[theyarecomingforyou]

So, being cynical as ever, that'll probably translate to GBP ?39.99 as well, right MS? :p

Even if it does it's still good value. Does anyone know if the advertised price for the US includes all the applicable taxes? A lot of the time taxes are charged separately, which is why sometimes they look cheaper than they actually are. With the current exchange rate and the addition of 20% VAT you're looking at about ?31; without adding tax nearer ?25.

As I said, even assuming the worst - a straight dollar to sterling comparison - it's a decent price. If I was concerned with what other people paid then I'd also be jealous of countries like India and Russia where they typically have much lower prices; I'm not. It all comes down to whether I feel it's good value.

[FloatingFatMan]

Oh sure, it's a damn good price. I was just cracking a joke as MS have a proclivity for giving us crappy exchange rates. Hence the smiley at the end. ;)

[Fourjays Veteran]

Even though I've lost interest in Windows 8 recently (more I see, more disappointed I get) at that price I may still get it, if only for testing purposes.

[Stokkolm]

Even if it does it's still good value. Does anyone know if the advertised price for the US includes all the applicable taxes? A lot of the time taxes are charged separately, which is why sometimes they look cheaper than they actually are. With the current exchange rate and the addition of 20% VAT you're looking at about ?31; without adding tax nearer ?25.

As I said, even assuming the worst - a straight dollar to sterling comparison - it's a decent price. If I was concerned with what other people paid then I'd also be jealous of countries like India and Russia where they typically have much lower prices; I'm not. It all comes down to whether I feel it's good value.

Well, my impression is it's a digital purchase so unless you live in Washington state or a state that charges sales tax on online purchases you shouldn't be charged any tax.

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

I don't see why the whole Media Center is such a big deal, XBMC and equivalents blow it into bits and offer way, way more features for 0?/$.

Because it has the TV, XBMC needs some kind of server to show live TV

[Ice_Blue]

I believe OEMs have been looking forward to the release of Windows 8 to revive flagging PC sales.

Now Microsoft comes along and tells the market: You don't need a new PC. Buy Windows 8 for $39.99 and upgrade the one you already have.

Since all existing versions of Windows from XP onwards can be made over with Windows 8, this is a huge market, encompassing almost every Windows PC in existence.

A lot of people who might have been thinking of buying a new PC in order to get Windows 8 may now reconsider.

This, coming on the heels of the Surface announcement, is probably not going to go down well with OEMs, although it may be a win-win for Microsoft, and may further discourage PC makers from much needed hardware innovation.

We will know for sure within 6 months.