Windows 8 upgrade for 40.00 through January 2013

[jagabo]

The full retail package can be installed as many times as you want, but only one computer at a time. The upgrade 3-pack doesn't cost much more than a single OEM version:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Premium-Upgrade-Family/dp/B002MV2MG0/

There is a loophole which lets you perform a fresh install (no proof of previous license required):

http://www.mydigitallife.info/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-and-product-k...nk-hard-drive/

[yoda313]

Thanks jagabo.

[videobread]

Is this still on? I signed up to upgrade some XP machines for $40 but just got an email upgrade offer for upgrading 7 to 8. Does anyone have info on XP to 8 $40 offers?

[jagabo]

Still on? It hasn't even started yet.

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

[videobread]

Thing is, I just got this email from MS sending me to this: http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/Home
It's a Win 7 to 8 offer. Do you have a link to the $40 XP to 8 offer.

[jagabo]

That's just Microsoft's deal to help OEMs sell Win7 computers until Win8 is available. The $40 upgrade offer doesn't start until ~Oct. 26.

[deadrats]

you can also try win 8 for free for 90 days:

http://www.informationweek.com/windows/microsoft-news/windows-8-rtm-free-for-90-days/240005793

[deadrats]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-8-SmartScreen-Security-Nadim-Kobeissi-SSLv2,17171.html

[yoda313]

I was wondering about this upgrade deal. ON my hp vista pc I have a recovery drive partition. What happens to it? Its the d drive on the computer. It is just under a gig.

Now obviously it won't recover to win 7 if i were to do the upgrade from vista to 7 with this deal. What happens to the partition? Is it still useful? Does it get overwritten with basic win 7 backup info?

I do have some new external harddrives that I am using for backups so I don't really need the partition but I was wondering what happens to it in the case of upgrading the os.

Thanks.

[hello_hello]

The restore partition should never be touched, at least in theory..... returning the PC to it's original factory state (software wise) should work the same regardless of what my happen on the C drive in the meantime. If you run the recovery utility you should be back to Vista.

If that's something you'll never do then you can delete the restore partition, but maybe one day you might want to sell the PC in which case you could restore Vista and use your copy of Windows 7 on a different PC. That sort of thing....

Some PC manufacturers provide a way to backup the restore partition to DVD so if need be you can use the discs to restore the PC back to it's original state. The idea being if the hard drive dies, you don't lose your ability to restore the PC through having to replace the it. I don't know if it's possible with HP PCs, but if so you could probably create the restore DVDs then delete the partition if you want to.

[yoda313]

The restore partition should never be touched, at least in theory..... returning the PC to it's original factory state (software wise) should work the same regardless of what my happen on the C drive in the meantime. If you run the recovery utility you should be back to Vista.

If that's something you'll never do then you can delete the restore partition, but maybe one day you might want to sell the PC in which case you could restore Vista and use your copy of Windows 7 on a different PC. That sort of thing....

Some PC manufacturers provide a way to backup the restore partition to DVD so if need be you can use the discs to restore the PC back to it's original state. The idea being if the hard drive dies, you don't lose your ability to restore the PC through having to replace the it. I don't know if it's possible with HP PCs, but if so you could probably create the restore DVDs then delete the partition if you want to.

I'm pretty sure I made those discs awhile back. I'm still running vista on it. I should be able to make new discs.

I'll keep this in mind when the offer goes live. It's not a big partition and I have another internal drive and a few externals so I don't need the 1gb. I could leave it as it is.

Thanks.

[usually_quiet]

I installed the Windows 8 Release Preview today. I am not enjoying it much so far. Installation was a pain. I wanted to install it as an upgrade to a Windows 7 install, but couldn't. The installer said that my CPU was incompatible. It isn't. It meets all the requirements. I checked. Problem is my motherboard BIOS or something else must be turning off one or more of the required CPU features, and the BIOS doesn't provide any way for users to to access those features. The only workaround is to do a full install, so I lost all my programs and will have to re-install those as well.

If I had to get used to it, I could, but I have the same reaction as virtually everybody else who has commented in this thread. I think most Windows users are going to have significant difficulty adjusting to the changes. The Metro Start screen really only does make sense for touch-screen interfaces. Forcing users to either log off or go into the settings menu to initiate shutdown is silly. I don't like having a bunch of icons cluttering up my desktop, and I don't like having to jump back and forth between the Start screen and Desktop. I guess using Rocketdock is going to be more of a necessity now.

[yoda313]

I was wondering about this upgrade deal.

If you were to use it for the Windows 7 installation would the same code be vaild to be used again to migrate to Windows 8 if you wanted to?

Or is this more likely a one and done deal? Meaning you buy it and do the installation for Windows 7 and then thats it?

Also I'd have to re-read it which version of Windows 7 is this for doing it this way?

[MOVIEGEEK]

I was wondering about this upgrade deal.

If you were to use it for the Windows 7 installation would the same code be vaild to be used again to migrate to Windows 8 if you wanted to?

Or is this more likely a one and done deal? Meaning you buy it and do the installation for Windows 7 and then thats it?

Also I'd have to re-read it which version of Windows 7 is this for doing it this way?

The way I understand the offer it's a "one and done" deal with a maximum of five PC's per customer, it's good on all versions of 7 though.


http://windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/Home/ProgramInfo?Parent=en&LCID=1033&KeyboardLayo...ReadOnly=False

The offer is for customers (e.g. Home users, students, and enthusiasts) who purchase a qualified PC. A qualified PC is a new PC purchased during the promotional period with a valid Windows 7 OEM Certificate of Authenticity and product key for, and preinstalled with:

Windows 7 Home Basic;
Windows 7 Home Premium;
Windows 7 Professional; or
Windows 7 Ultimate.
The promotional price is limited to one upgrade offer per qualified PC purchased, and a maximum limit of five upgrade offers per customer.

[yoda313]

Ok it looks like I've totally misread this deal. This is ONLY for new purchases? So this can't be somebody off the street with an old computer? You can't just sign up and give them 40.00 to get the upgrade?

Well that sucks if thats true.

I'll just have to scrap the whole plan if this is not open to older computers.

It seems that is the only way to register for it. It can be installed on any computer with a valid windows license but that isn't apparently how you can sign up for the deal.

By the way it was talking about the upgrade is to windows 8 pro which has the downgrade option. That means it can do windows 7 pro, I don't know if you can do other versions of windows 7 as well.

Can someone please verify if this just for new computer purchases only as it seems to be? If that is the case I'll forget about this. Thanks.

[Kerry56]

^ The Windows upgrade offer for $14.99 is only for computers purchased between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013. This computer must have come with some version of Windows 7.

The Windows upgrade version that will sell for $39.99 will be available to anyone who is running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 on their computer now. This deal will not be available until October 26, 2012, and will only be offered until January 31, 2013.

This version of Windows 8 will not be eligible for a downgrade to Windows 7 once installed, I don't believe. So you can't have a computer running XP, buy the Win 8 upgrade and then downgrade to get a cheap copy of Windows 7. I haven't found a confirmation of that last part, but it makes sense not to allow an upgrade turn back into a downgrade.

[yoda313]

The Windows upgrade version that will sell for $39.99 will be available to anyone who is running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 on their computer now. This deal will not be available until October 26, 2012, and will only be offered until January 31, 2013.

This version of Windows 8 will not be eligible for a downgrade to Windows 7 once installed, I don't believe. So you can't have a computer running XP, buy the Win 8 upgrade and then downgrade to get a cheap copy of Windows 7. I haven't found a confirmation of that last part, but it makes sense not to allow an upgrade turn back into a downgrade.

You see thats thing I didn't see the 40.00 list on the windows upgrade website. It must be a different website or they haven't officially posted it yet.

This version of Windows 8 will not be eligible for a downgrade to Windows 7 once installed, I don't believe. So you can't have a computer running XP, buy the Win 8 upgrade and then downgrade to get a cheap copy of Windows 7. I haven't found a confirmation of that last part, but it makes sense not to allow an upgrade turn back into a downgrade.

Actually its my understanding so long as its the WINDOWS 8 PRO that you can buy for the 40.00 it will be downgradeable. If that is what you can get for the 40.00 than it is still worth doing.

Hopefully we can get confirmation on windows 8 pro being offered for the 40.00 for everyone and that its fully downgradeable to win 7.

I hope I wasn't misreading this stuff.

Thanks again Kerry56 and you as well moviegeek - sorry for ignoring you I was just going off on another tangent.

[jagabo]

The Windows upgrade version that will sell for $39.99 will be available to anyone who is running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 on their computer now. This deal will not be available until October 26, 2012, and will only be offered until January 31, 2013.

This version of Windows 8 will not be eligible for a downgrade to Windows 7 once installed, I don't believe. So you can't have a computer running XP, buy the Win 8 upgrade and then downgrade to get a cheap copy of Windows 7. I haven't found a confirmation of that last part, but it makes sense not to allow an upgrade turn back into a downgrade.

You see thats thing I didn't see the 40.00 list on the windows upgrade website. It must be a different website or they haven't officially posted it yet.

Of course they haven't posted it yet, it's not available until Oct. 26. Can't you read?

[yoda313]

Of course they haven't posted it yet, it's not available until Oct. 26. Can't you read?

Why wouldn't they at least have a the signup information setup? Thats what I wanted. I know you can't get it yet I wanted the official post for the 40.00 sign up offer.

[lacywest]

I'll probably end up using Server 2012 at some point,
but for now 2008 and 2008 R2 are fine.

I still use XP on the main desktop.

Ain't broke, not fixing it.

I agree ... I still do a Dual Boot ... I either load up XP or WIN 7 ... by default it goes to WIN 7 ... I'm happy ... just fine the way things are.

Have you heard ... the Media Center on WIN 8 is an ... addon now ... and it is not free ... geez

Media Center will be in Windows 8, but not right away

Summary: In a new post on the Building Windows 8 blog, Windows boss Steven Sinofsky confirmed that Windows Media Center will be in Windows 8. But the code won't be in early releases, and it's still not clear how this little-used feature will be delivered.

Link >>> http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/media-center-will-be-in-windows-8-but-not-right-away/3860

[jagabo]

Of course they haven't posted it yet, it's not available until Oct. 26. Can't you read?

Why wouldn't they at least have a the signup information setup?

Why would they? It's just a headache for them.

[usually_quiet]

Ok it looks like I've totally misread this deal. This is ONLY for new purchases? So this can't be somebody off the street with an old computer? You can't just sign up and give them 40.00 to get the upgrade?

Well that sucks if thats true.

I'll just have to scrap the whole plan if this is not open to older computers.

It seems that is the only way to register for it. It can be installed on any computer with a valid windows license but that isn't apparently how you can sign up for the deal.

By the way it was talking about the upgrade is to windows 8 pro which has the downgrade option. That means it can do windows 7 pro, I don't know if you can do other versions of windows 7 as well.

Can someone please verify if this just for new computer purchases only as it seems to be? If that is the case I'll forget about this. Thanks.

The linked webpage in MOVIEGEEK's post refers to the $14.99 upgrade offer for new PCs sold with Windows 7 pre-installed, but there is another limited-time upgrade offer for those with an older PC running XP, Vista, Windows 7.

You are asking about the other offer, which allows a older PC to be upgraded to Windows 7 Pro for $39.99 via download, or for $69.99 via retail-packaged discs. Since windows 8 Pro comes with downgrade rights, those who find they can't use or don't like Windows 8 can use the offer to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. There is no mention of being able to use the upgrade to install another version of Windows 7. I would guess it is also permitted to go back to the previous version of Windows installed on the same PC before the upgrade.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/07/02/upgrade-to-win...for-39-99.aspx
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6065/windows-8-upgrade-will-cost-just-3999

[lacywest]

[QUOTE=usually_quiet;2187016]

Ok it looks like I've totally misread this deal. This is ONLY for new purchases? So this can't be somebody off the street with an old computer? You can't just sign up and give them 40.00 to get the upgrade?

Well that sucks if thats true.

I'll just have to scrap the whole plan if this is not open to older computers.

It seems that is the only way to register for it. It can be installed on any computer with a valid windows license but that isn't apparently how you can sign up for the deal.

By the way it was talking about the upgrade is to windows 8 pro which has the downgrade option. That means it can do windows 7 pro, I don't know if you can do other versions of windows 7 as well.

Can someone please verify if this just for new computer purchases only as it seems to be? If that is the case I'll forget about this. Thanks.

The linked webpage in MOVIEGEEK's post refers to the $14.99 upgrade offer for new PCs sold with Windows 7 pre-installed, but there is another limited-time upgrade offer for those with an older PC running XP, Vista, Windows 7.

You are asking about the other offer, which allows a older PC to be upgraded to Windows 7 Pro for $39.99 via download, or for $69.99 via retail-packaged discs. Since windows 8 Pro comes with downgrade rights, those who find they can't use or don't like Windows 8, can use the offer to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. There is no mention of being able to use the upgrade to install another version of Windows 7. I would guess it is also permitted to go back to the previous version of Windows installed on the same PC before the upgrade.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6065/windows-8-upgrade-will-cost-just-3999[/QUOTE]

I'm just thinking ... which is better ... Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate ?? ... I use WIN 7 Ultimate ... am I missing out on something ??

[usually_quiet]

Windows 7 Ultimate was the version with the most features.

[lacywest]

Windows 7 Ultimate was the version with the most features.

LOL ... come on help me out ... you just now said ... "WAS ... the version with the most features"

[jagabo]

I'm just thinking ... which is better ... Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate ?? ... I use WIN 7 Ultimate ... am I missing out on something ??

Yes, cash. In case you're serious:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab15

[lacywest]

[QUOTE=jagabo;2187020]

I'm just thinking ... which is better ... Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate ?? ... I use WIN 7 Ultimate ... am I missing out on something ??

Yes, cash. In case you're serious:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab15[/QUOTE]

Okay ... I'm good ... whoopee ... other than the ... Windows Anytime Upgrade ... check mark missing in the WIN7 column ... all is well.

Thank you ... Jagabo ...

[yoda313]

Thanks usually_quiet and lacywest. That was what i was looking for.

[usually_quiet]

Windows 7 Ultimate was the version with the most features.

LOL ... come on help me out ... you just now said ... "WAS ... the version with the most features"

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself because September is almost half over.

I definitely don't want to install the upgrade on my current PC, and I don't know if I want to invest in the Windows 8 upgrade discs for the new PC I hope to build next year. (I have a copy of Windows 7 Home for the new build already.) There are some good things about Windows 8, but I had to install "Start 8" to keep my sanity. There is a shell available which I might try next.

[yoda313]

i've got two more possibly really obvious questions but these are practical ones I want to know.

1 - will this downgrade option be available during download? In other words when I sign up for the windows 8 pro download will I immediately have the option to download windows 7 pro? Or will I have to download windows 8 and then tell it I want to use windows 7 pro and initiate another download?

The reason I'm asking is I don't have a windows 7 disc. So it would be kind of pointless if I were to just get an access code to windows 7 without having a physical download of windows 7.

2 - does it have to be two individual downloads, one to each machine I want to upgrade?

I'm debating about possibly putting it on my old xp machine - but i'd have to run the advisor on it since its quite old it might not be worth doing.

Anyway what I am asking is does the purchase and download both have to take place on the machine that is being upgraded? Reason I ask is my emachine is connected wirelessly. I wouldn't want to download a 4-8gb file over a wireless connection only to have a possible dropout midway through and have to start over.

If I had to have two seperate downloads (naturally I'd have to pay twice, I know that) I'd want to do that on my computer that is directly connected to my router.

I would hope that the iso you can burn with this download would let you pop it in another computer and then use the new separate purchased activation code without having to download it again to the machine you want to install it on.

Thanks.