Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro Will Only Cost You a Few Hours and $39.99 - The UpStream

Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro Will Only Cost You a Few Hours and $39.99

posted Thursday Jul 5, 2012 by Nicholas DiMeo

Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro Will Only Cost You a Few Hours and $39.99

With the release date of the popular Windows 8 operating system getting closer and closer and changes out of the way, I think it's about time to shift to what it might cost us to upgrade to the new software. The good thing is that Microsoft seems to agree and posted in their Windows Team Blog this week about just that thing. Specifically, blogger Brandon LeBlanc wanted to talk about upgrading to Windows 8 from a prior operating system.

LeBlanc said that the goal with Windows 8 was to make it so that practically anybody could essentially "upgrade" to the new Microsoft way of life. To start that, any Windows XP, Vista or Win7 user will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 for just $39.99 in 131 different markets across the globe. For those of you wanting the "Windows Media Center Edition," an additional checkbox will be available for you to click on at no extra charge with the Windows 8 Pro upgrade.

What other perks and options do you get when you upgrade to Windows 8? Well, we have all of the information after the break, including what happens to you Windows XP users out there.

Microsoft has taken a page out of Clippy's book and has introduced us to the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, which we got to see during the Consumer and Release Previews as well. Now, while the Upgrade Assistant doesn't come with the same lovely charm annoying vigor that the paperclip had, it certainly will walk you through the installation/upgrade process with ease right from the time you pop the disc into your PC's built-in cup holder (provided you paid the extra $30 up-charge for the DVD version). First, it will check your computer to make sure everything is ready for installation. To do that, the compatibility report makes its valiant return from Windows 7, except now it has information that details what doesn't work and why, removing the guesswork we sometimes saw in the Win7 version.

The important thing out of the Upgrade Assistant is the options you get for installation. Windows 7 customers upgrading to Windows 8 Pro will be able to bring over everything from their current operating system, including files, settings and applications. For my Vista folk, you can bring along two of those three, except your applications, and XP users will only be able to bring over their files and documents. Users can also choose to just start over and install Windows 8 or even do a fresh install and format their drive. However, be sure you select the "format drive" option while within the setup and not beforehand.

Microsoft also says that the "upgrade promotion for Windows 8 Pro both online and at retail runs through January 31st, 2013" so you have plenty of time to get in on the very affordable deal. The only question left is who's in on this great offer? I know I'm upgrading one of my machines! Are you? Let us know in the comments section.

Advertisement

Login to CommentWhat You're Saying

Be the first to comment!

We're live now - Join us!
PLUGHITZ Keyz

Email

Password

Forgot password? Recover here.
Not a member? Register now.
Blog Meets Brand Stats