Windows 8 is considered the biggest upgrade of Microsoft’s operating system for PCs, tablets and laptops for at least 17 years since Windows 95 was born. Over the last few months, we heard many rumors about the release date of Windows 8. Most of them say that the new Microsoft’s OS would be available this September and in fact, the predictions are pretty close.
At the Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Canada, the Windows CFO Tami Reller announced Windows 8 will be on track to RTM (Released To Manufacturing) in less than a month, or the first week of August. Then, it will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide in October, that means we will get hands on Windows 8 devices by late October.
Windows 8 Upgrade Price
This will be the cheapest upgrade price ever. Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 users can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $40 USD. However, that’s not the cheapest price we can get Windows 8. If you buy a PC with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate after June 2, 2012, you will be able to get downloadable upgrade for an amazing low price of $15. The Windows 8 upgrade price on DVD (in retail packaging) is $68.88 on Amazon now. The special promotion will run through January 31, 2013. Each user can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro on maximum 5 PCs. The limit is set to prevent businesses from taking advantage of the low prices.
Within the last few days, some people are wondering that if we can take advantage of the offer by installing Windows 8 Release Preview first, then upgrading for the discounted price. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s just said no to this way. You can use Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant to move from the Windows 8 Release Preview to Windows 8 Pro but you can only get the $40 price if you have already had underlying licensed Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. Windows 8 Pro can be installed on top of Release Preview and users don’t need to reinstall the licensed Windows version.
There is one more notable thing when you do the upgrade. You will only have the option to migrate personal files, that means all system settings, games and desktop applications will not be preserved.
Microsoft simplified choices for users by limiting the number of Windows 8 versions to 4, including Windows RT for ARM-based systems, Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 Enterprise. They will have many challenges if they want to achieve the incredible milestone of 630 million software licenses by Windows 7 since its launch in Oct 2009. Do you think Windows 8 will get better success?
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James says
I’ have been watching videos and reading tutorials for Windows 8 for a while now. It looks like a great OS. I tried to run it on Virtual Box but couldn’t get to work. I am hesitant about installing it on my production machine and I don’t have a test box that is new enough to take full advantage of its features.The price looks great and I may pick up an upgrade copy once I know for sure there isn’t an issue with the programs I use and the migration process won’t break my system.Are you planning on making the upgrade?
Tuan Do says
Hi James,
I haven’t tried on Virtual Box but my Windows 8 Release Preview is working well on VMWare. Have you tried that one? Or you just need to install and dual-boot it with your current Windows version.
I bought a new laptop last month and it will cost just $15 for the upgrade. Microsoft said that the migration process will not keep your programs, so you will need to re-install all of them.
James says
No haven’t tried VMWare. Which version do I need to run Windows 8?From what I read, I realized that I would have to re-install my programs. I really wasn’t interested in doing that yet. I was planning on waiting and seeing if they figure out a work around for that issue. If not I will be replacing my hard drive soon, so when I do that, I might run a fresh install instead and migrate my data over. Most of it stored on external drives and dropbox so it isn’t a big deal getting all that stuff working. It just getting some older programs working with windows 8 I need to test out first.
Tuan Do says
I am using VMWare 8 to run Windows 8. I heard that you can’t install the OS on older versions of VMWare.
I also got an external drive to store data and programs, preparing for the upgrade. :)
Fred says
I have English version of Win7, can I upgrade to Win8 lets say French version using Win8 French version?
Tuan Do says
Yes, you can for sure, language doesn’t matter.
Fred says
Also another question is, can we use upgrade on 5 Pc unlimited number of times? Or there is some limit? Because on MS site say “This offer is limited to one upgrade per PC” So this means that we cant upgrade more than one time?
Tuan Do says
Yes you are right. You are allowed only 1 upgrade per PC for the promotion. For another upgrade in the same PC, you will have to pay full price of $40.
Fred says
what you mean by full price of $40? I meant if I pay once $40 may I have unlimited amount of installs/upgrades?
Fred says
What if I have win7 x86 and buy buy win8 upgrade is it comes with both x86 and x64? In this case can I use win8 x64 upgrade to install on win7 x86 machine? Not upgrade but custom install.
Tuan Do says
I believe there will be an option for x86 and x64. I will upgrade my PC in 1 hour and let you know soon.
Fred says
Ok thank you, also please include some information about installation limit
Tuan Do says
Hi Fred,
I’ve just installed it, check out my latest post. There is no limit on the number of installation. :)