Windows 8 upgrade promotion pricing

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This is a first.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/07/02/upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx

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Hey, an Apple…esque upgrade price. Well done, Microsoft. I think they are really keen on massive adoption and nothing shows it as much as this price does.

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Fantastic! This is proof that MS is serious about Win 8 succeeding. They are pricing this well below comparable upgrades to any previous version, and includes the Media Center add on at NO ADDITIONAL COST!

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Interesting “dilemma” for XP users. Should they upgrade to Windows 8 for $39.99 or pay more for Windows 7? This move by Microsoft may well bring over a slew of present XP users. :rolleyes:

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Interesting “dilemma” for XP users. Should they upgrade to Windows 8 for $39.99 or pay more for Windows 7? This move by Microsoft may well bring over a slew of present XP users. :rolleyes:

But…
Only if it runs on the XP hardware.

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I wouldn’t say it is a first.

When Windows 7 was released there were a lot of promotions available. For example, I bought a full (not upgrade) version of Windows 7 Home Premium for £45 from Amazon UK. The same version currently sells at £110.

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I wouldn’t say it is a first.

When Windows 7 was released there were a lot of promotions available. For example, I bought a full (not upgrade) version of Windows 7 Home Premium for £45 from Amazon UK. The same version currently sells at £110.

That was probably Amazon, not Microsoft. I think they never offered such a price. I can’t really remember one, at least.

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That was probably Amazon, not Microsoft. I think they never offered such a price. I can’t really remember one, at least.

It wasn’t just Amazon, numerous retailers in the UK had the same offer including Microsoft UK. I only chose Amazon as it worked out to be the cheapest when P&P was included.

What irked me at the time was US customers could get the same deal for $50 whereas in the UK the MS price was £50.

No doubt it will be the same again for this release, $40 vs £40.

Still seems a good price point though!

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It wasn’t just Amazon, numerous retailers in the UK had the same offer including Microsoft UK. I only chose Amazon as it worked out to be the cheapest when P&P was included.

What irked me at the time was US customers could get the same deal for $50 whereas in the UK the MS price was £50.

No doubt it will be the same again for this release, $40 vs £40.

Still seems a good price point though!

Well for me its in euros (I mean, I hope we still have euros by Win8 release time). Not as big an increase, though, in actual cost.

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Rui, I assume you also saw the article I linked about the leaked Surface pricing. I would think the Surface Pro at $999 would be for the smaller HD. At this price structure for Win 8 Pro, most of that cost would be for the H/W. I also would assume the larger HD would be a couple hundred dollars more. I realize the release of Surface Pro is expected 2 or 3 months after the Win 8 release. Depending on when these occur the Surface Pro will most likely be after Christmas. I’m wondering if MS is working to get this to occur before Christmas shopping season.

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I did, Ted. I was kind hoping the Pro version to be a bit less expensive. I was actually expecting the difference in price between the two not to be so big. I would probably expect Pro to be in the $800 range.

Getting it before the Christmas season could give it a real good boost, sales wise.

Let’s see if these prices are confirmed. It’s still a bit of speculation :).

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Well, we had a waiting game for a pricing structure on Win 8 Pro (still waiting for Win 8, I would suspect some may not want the Pro edition), now we have a waiting game for Surface. It seems MS has learned how to keep a secret! We also still do not have definitive dates of release, so we are still in a waiting game for Win 8.

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That was probably Amazon, not Microsoft. I think they never offered such a price. I can’t really remember one, at least.

When Windows 7 first came out, they had a preorder promotion where you could get a voucher for Windows 7 Home Premium for $50. i got one for one of my sons. They also had a Family pack offer of three Windows 7 Home Premium licences for $150 for awhile.

Jerry

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When Windows 7 first came out, they had a preorder promotion where you could get a voucher for Windows 7 Home Premium for $50. i got one for one of my sons. They also had a Family pack offer of three Windows 7 Home Premium licences for $150 for awhile.
Jerry

As you said, it was a temporary promotion and not for the higher end version. This one will probably last 3 months and it’s still cheaper, if you go for the online setup.
It’s possible that there were small scale promotions like that one. In Portugal, through a specific program, it was possible to get a pro upgrade licence for 40 euros, I think.

Even so, this seems to be he lowest price ever for an upgrade license to the higher end Windows version

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I remember the Family Packs as well. In fact, I thought I saw then briefly for even less than $150, but that seemed very short lived. Still, $40 is a price that could make the people on the fence jump in, including me. At that price I can Upgrade both our laptops to Win 8 Pro. Of course then I will have the job of indoctrinating my wife. She has never used Win 8, although she is quite PC savvy. She should have no problem at all.

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That’s a big if in many cases. At a minimum, most of the XP machines I see have only 512 megs of memory. Upgrading to at least 2 gigs which Windows 8 needs as a minimum can be prohibitive in cost (old memory costs more) and many Xp motherboards don’t support it.

Jerry

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And remember this includes Media Center for no additional cost.

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And remember this includes Media Center for no additional cost.

Which was true for the previous versions of Windows. Neat how taking out a feature and then adding it back in is somehow a plus…..

Jerry

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Which was true for the previous versions of Windows. Neat how taking out a feature and then adding it back in is somehow a plus…..

Jerry

It’s all about expectations :).

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Jerry, always the pessimist! LOL Since it has been considered an added cost add-on from the early days, then yes Media Center inclusion is a plus IMO.

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Jerry, always the pessimist! LOL

Its a tough job but someone has to do it.

Jerry

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I bow to your experience my friend!

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By the way, according to:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/258716/windows_8_pro_upgrade_your_faqs_answered.html#tk.hp_new

The Windows Pro upgrade offer expires Jan 31, 2013

Jerry

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That should give us 2 or 3 months, depending on the release date, to acquire our copies. I suspect you may see other offers afterward as we did see with Win 7. I did notice that. The original article in the Windows Blog I believe mentioned it as well.

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I did read somewhere that the UK pricing has not been released, so you might be right about the difference. I guess this is another of those waiting games. MS seems to have learned how to keep secrets too well.

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The big question for those of us who want to continue dual-booting Windows 8 alongside of Windows 7 is, when will MS announce the “reduced pricing” and terms for the System Builder Pro Edition? And will that also get a free Media Center upgrade?

What I suspect MS is trying to accomplish with this particular upgrade offer, is to entice as many current XP and 7 (and Vista) home users as possible to go for this upgrade, unaware that once they install it, there’s no going back to previous installations of Windows 7. If you don’t like Win 8 you’re stuck with it. The upgrade installer turns your old Win 7 license to toast.

Consider these points when deciding that this is such a good deal.

-- rc primak

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The big question for those of us who want to continue dual-booting Windows 8 alongside of Windows 7 is, when will MS announce the “reduced pricing” and terms for the System Builder Pro Edition? And will that also get a free Media Center upgrade?

What I suspect MS is trying to accomplish with this particular upgrade offer, is to entice as many current XP and 7 (and Vista) home users as possible to go for this upgrade, unaware that once they install it, there’s no going back to previous installations of Windows 7. If you don’t like Win 8 you’re stuck with it. The upgrade installer turns your old Win 7 license to toast.

Consider these points when deciding that this is such a good deal.

If you know your Windows 7 key, you can always reinstall, or restore an image, as Jerry said before. However, I wonder why you would do that. Windows 8 desktop is actually better than Windows 7 desktop, even if for a small margin.
Boot times will be better, small performance increases, the ability to reset or refresh your installation, all with a new version of the old desktop, Why go back at all?

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If you know your Windows 7 key, you can always reinstall, or restore an image, as Jerry said before.

But can you reinstall and get properly validated with MS?

As Bob points out the existing Windows license will have been used to validate the upgrade to Windows 8.

Also, what would happen if you upgraded an OEM version of Windows to W8 and had to change the motherboard for example. Normally that would break the terms of the original OEM license. Where would you stand then?

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But can you reinstall and get properly validated with MS?

As Bob points out the existing Windows license will have been used to validate the upgrade to Windows 8.

Also, what would happen if you upgraded an OEM version of Windows to W8 and had to change the motherboard for example. Normally that would break the terms of the original OEM license. Where would you stand then?

We should focus on things that are specific to the upgrade. As Ted said, I am convinced that Microsoft would validate your key, in a downgrade scenario.

The motherboard change situation is not specific to Windows 8. If you did that with Windows 7, what would happen? I can’t say for sure, in both cases, but it is possible that Microsoft would allow the validation in both cases.

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Windows 8 desktop is actually better than Windows 7 desktop, even if for a small margin.

Is it possible to boot direct into the Desktop? I thought the boot could only go into that awful Metro interface (which is probably fine on a smart phone or tablet, but is ridiculous on a desktop with a widescreen monitor).

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If you’re concerned about not being able to return to Windows 7, just make an image before upgrading to Windows 7. I also suspect that you can use the upgrade CD to do a clean install of Windows 8 creating a dual boot and use the the Windows 7 methodology detailed here:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-and-product-key-on-formatted-or-empty-blank-hard-drive/

Jerry

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I agree, if you create a Win 7 Image just prior to installing Win 8 Pro, then the restoration is very easy, and takes about 10 minutes. I also agree that why would someone, who has tested Win 8 RP and knows it’s capabilities, and has decided to go on to Win 8 Pro, want to return to Win 7.

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Just using a recent license to validate an upgrade to another OS does not preclude that license from use. In fact if you delete an OS (assuming retail version) from one PC, it can then be used on another PC. You might need to call MS to activate because of the change in H/W. If the original license was an OEM license then it is tied to that H/W and cannot be used on another PC.

In the case where a MB needs replacing, calling MS will activate the OEM license on the “new H/W”

If you reinstall a Win 7 OS onto a PC you again may need to contact MS to reactivate. It is worth trying without the call as long as it’s the same H/W as the original installation, but I would not be surprised to have to make the call.

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I thought I was focussing on the upgrade and was expanding on Bob’s point that using an existing install to qualify for a cheaper upgrade vs full retail nullifies the existing license.

Does anybody have the EULA for a Windows upgrade package to hand? I’m sure that will confirm what has been said.

EDIT:

A quick google search throws this up

15.UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.

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15.UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.

I interpret this to mean that you cannot simultaneously run the old and the new version of the OS, which would make sense.

Anyway, I doubt there is a difference between what will happen with Windows 8 and the previous versions, that is, upgrading Vista to 7 or XP to Vista or even XP to 7. Whatever problems will arise now, are similar to problems that may have occurred before. I don’t see how this diminishes the interest of upgrading to Windows 8.

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Unless I’m mistaken, you have the right to back rev as well. MS was pushed into adding this provision during the upgrade fiasco from Win 98 to ME.

I interpret this to mean that you cannot simultaneously run the old and the new version of the OS, which would make sense.

You can interpret it anyway you like. The license says “After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.”. I don’t see a lot of wiggle room there. Licensing agreements are usually pretty specific, especially MicroSoft. If there is an option, they will spell it out. For example, MS Office can be used on a desktop and a laptop with only one license. I have software that specifically says you can use both the old version and new version at the same time.

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Unless I’m mistaken, you have the right to back rev as well. MS was pushed into adding this provision during the upgrade fiasco from Win 98 to ME.

You can interpret it anyway you like. The license says “After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.”. I don’t see a lot of wiggle room there. Licensing agreements are usually pretty specific, especially MicroSoft. If there is an option, they will spell it out. For example, MS Office can be used on a desktop and a laptop with only one license. I have software that specifically says you can use both the old version and new version at the same time.

I think you misinterpreted what I said. Of course, you cannot use the license you have upgraded from in another computer, even if each computer a time. I didn’t mean that. I meant that if you downgrade, you should be able to use the old license, as you won’t be using the new one then. You actually said that back rev was possible, in your opinion, so I don’t see where you disagree with me.

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I think you misinterpreted what I said. Of course, you cannot use the license you have upgraded from in another computer, even if each computer a time. I didn’t mean that. I meant that if you downgrade, you should be able to use the old license, as you won’t be using the new one then. You actually said that back rev was possible, in your opinion, so I don’t see where you disagree with me.

I stand corrected. I need new glasses or something. Getting older sucks. For some reason I read that as “you can simultaneously”. Sorry about that.

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I stand corrected. I need new glasses or something. Getting older sucks. For some reason I read that as “you can simultaneously”. Sorry about that.

No problem at all :).

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Seems a direct upgrade from Release Preview might be possible: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9228798/FAQ_Microsoft_offers_cheapest_ever_Windows_upgrade?taxonomyId=12&pageNumber=3

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Browni & Ruirib, greetings.
You are both right in the regards of the EULA and WPA. I do a lot of testing for friends who have upgraded from one version to another of Windows. I run the new version only after doing a clone of the old one, if the friend is not happy, I clone back to the previous version and no MS intervention is required as a clone will keep the keys and the validation, it is included in the data that is cloned.
Now, am I doing this legally is tother question ? I do not benefit from this at all and I keep the clones secured at my home not to be used again unless the proper user asks for it. As Ted said, one can be back in business inside of 10 minutes with a clone.
Changing the MoBo will trigger a validation request as it will go over the 10 “votes” that the WPA seeks for as one boots his machine. I have done this often enough and a call to MS is always resolving this problem. Jean.

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Thanks for that info, Jean :).

Regards

Rui

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According to the article, this upgrade only copies over data and some program and user data similar to the Windows Easy Transfer program developed for migration from Windows XP to Windows 7. You still have to reinstall all your programs.

Jerry

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According to the article, the ISO file will be able to be burned to DVD and the partition formatted as a part of the installation. This will allow a clean install.

From the article:

“After your download finishes, you can choose to proceed with the upgrade (“Install now”) or install later either from your desktop or by creating your own media. If you choose to create your own media, you will be able to create your own bootable USB or .ISO file which can be burned onto a DVD for upgrade and backup purposes.

Or if you prefer to format your hard drive as part of your upgrade experience, you can do so as long as you boot from media and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8, not prior to it.”

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As I have stated before, I prefer Windows 7 for getting serious productivity work done. This may change over time, but until I”m fully comfortable inside of windows 8 Pro, I like the idea of having Windows 7 right there to fall back upon for awhile. To do this requires continuing to dual-boot, and I have the hard drive space and the hardware resources to do this comfortably. So, my interest is in the System Builder installation, as I wish to retain full access to Windows 7 alongside of full access to Windows 8.

I realize that in this I am different from most home users.

-- rc primak

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See this thread. In one post I list 5 different ways to get to the Desktop a couple of which will stop briefly (about 1 sec.) in Metro before automatically going to the Desktop.

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Microsoft seemed unwilling to allow it, but there have been indications that it may change. Anyway, there is software that actually achieves that, for the Windows 8 versions that have been released so far (just saw Ted linked to it).

There can only be certainties when the RTM version comes out, but I think it will be possible.

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