With the highly anticipated arrival of Windows 8 looming on the cards, it has been known that Microsoft is offering some upgrade promotions for its new OS. Now the company has announced that it will be selling Windows 8 Pro upgrades online as well as in stores.
While the Pro upgrades will be available online for $39.99, it will be available in stores for a bit higher price tag – $69.99. This offer is eligible to anyone currently running any version of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 and will last until January 31, 2013.
It is to be noted here that this is the same time frame offered for the current $14.99 upgrade deal. But it applies to any current Windows users, and not just those who purchase a new PC in the lead-up to Windows 8's launch. Microsoft also said that the offer will be available in 131 markets, and that it will release more details as the final launch gets closer.
Now let’s have a look at the upgrade process for older versions of Windows:
An upgrade assistant will help users migrate files, settings, and apps from Windows 7, files and settings from Windows Vista, and files only from Windows XP. Moreover, after the upgrade, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the “add features” option, according to a Verge report.
Although the online version arrives as a download, it is possible to buy a backup DVD for $15. But users who aren't upgrading from a previous version and are building their own machine or running a virtual one will need to buy Windows 8 Pro System Builder.
In reality, Microsoft offers upgrade deals for its early adopters, and this is both cheaper and more widely circulated than the corresponding option for Windows 7.
