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Windows 8 Pro Upgrade to Cost Just $40 During Special Promotion

Jul. 2, 2012 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Microsoft announced on Monday that it will allow users of Windows XP, Vista, or 7 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only $40 as part of a special promotion when the new OS becomes generally available later this year. This is, by far, the lowest upgrade pricing Microsoft has ever offered for Windows, and an exceptional value.

But you’ll need to act fast, as the promotional upgrade pricing will be in effect for a short time: It starts at the general availability of Windows 8 and last through January 31, 2013.

“We’ve continued to listen to our customers and have expanded the ability to download Windows 8 to over 100 countries and 37 languages, a post on Microsoft’s Blogging Windows site notes. “We have simplified the Windows upgrade experience with the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant which supports you during your upgrade with everything from selecting your language to pausing your download to built-in compatibility checks - it’s seamless. And if you’re an enthusiast, you will have the flexibility to download and control how you upgrade.”

The $40 pricing applies to electronically downloaded versions of the software that are installed via Windows 8’s new web-based installer at Windows.com. (Coincidentally, I just wrote about using the web-based installer on Monday as well.) If you prefer retail packaging and a physical disc, you can obtain the Windows 8 Pro upgrade during this promotion for $70.

Additionally, Microsoft announced that those who upgrade to Windows 8 Pro through this special promotion will be able to purchase the Windows Media Center add-in pack for free during the promotional period as well. Microsoft previously said that Media Center would be made available to Pro users for a small, as-yet-unannounced fee.


Discuss this Article 17

McGilli
on Jul 2, 2012
In other words, "Crap, Apple is releasing their next OS Upgrade for $20 this summer - that means we can't gouge out customers for this upgrade. Yet"
infiniteloop
on Jul 2, 2012
Looks like Apple's plan of devaluing operating systems is working.
BananaJr
on Jul 2, 2012
This is like watching the ocean recede and watching people getting all excited about how easy it is to catch the fish right trapped on the beach right before the tsunami hits and wipes everybody out. Put a fork in Ballmer he's done.
forkieboy
on Jul 3, 2012
Windows XP (SP3 only I assume) upgrade to Windows 8 PRO. I have just picked myself up off the floor and cleaned myself up. Laughing fits can have that effect. $40 to buy the software and $1000 to buy a new computer. Great deal from Microsoft. Even Paul didn't seem his normal ethusiastic self over this.
yoshipod (not verified)
on Jul 3, 2012
Its great that MS is selling Windows 8 upgrades at a very competitive price. This just further cements that fact that Windows pricing is one of the most complex and almost impossible to understand markets out there. Do most users have any idea how much they paid for Windows? If they bought it at retail, its simple. If they got it on a new computer, who knows. The estimates are that MS gets about $55 per copy, based on total sales and number of licenses. http://www.asymco.com/2012/06/20/who-will-be-microsofts-tim-cook/
jersey72
on Jul 3, 2012
@yoshi: Try Oracle. Or Crystal.
chuckb84
on Jul 3, 2012
"Looks like Apple's plan of devaluing operating systems is working. " Yep, and Office software as well. Between Android and iOS there is significant price pressure on Windows and the Office software that is web/cloud based adds to the competitive problems for Microsoft. Their business model is in jeopardy, and they've tacitly admitted it themselves via Surface, where they plan to go into the hardware business.
yoshipod (not verified)
on Jul 3, 2012
@Meh I am sure those are crazy in terms of license agreements. However, most people don't have to deal with that. There are hundreds of millions of Windows Users that do have to buy Windows, and probably have no idea of the actual cost.
tsker
on Jul 3, 2012
Upgrade from XP, Vista, Windows 7... How about those of us that already upgraded our Win7 to Windows 8 Preview Release? Will we get the $40 deal?
MoldyCheese
on Jul 3, 2012
Has it been stated whether Win8 is 32bit or 64 bit? I agree that pricing pressure will force MS to bring the upgrade to more reasonable levels. $149 for a upgrade? I don't foresee consumers and business ditching XP and Win7 droves either. I think MS sees this problem as well thus the cheap pricing.
jkohut
on Jul 3, 2012
I agree with Microsoft's decision. They need to keep Windows users happy for fear that many home users will simply migrate to tablets completely. I am surprised they did it for Windows XP as that means some pretty old PCs. I would have thought they would have let that opportunityfor new PC purchases. It will be interesting to see how aggresively Microsoft prices upgrades for businesses. Another big market that could drift away from Microsoft if they don't adjust their OS, App, and CAL pricing.
taphilo
on Jul 3, 2012
Great value if you have a < 2 year old system, a touchscreen aware monitor, and or want to get your arm workout all day long - else it is a "so what" upgrade for people. Their TASKS are them same but the OS is going to get in the way of doing DESKTOP TASKS. for handhelds I think the OS works since you ARE going to have to use your fingers, but for carrying out desktop taks trying to use tiles - horrible. But most importantly - does Clippy have a home in Win 8? It is right where he fits in . . . at last
MSTAYLOR
on Jul 3, 2012
@yoshi - While you have a point regarding the upgrade costs that MS has historically charged is true, there is a small number of users that upgrade the OS on their home computer. Most simply wait until they decide to buy a new computer and go with what it has preinstalled until it's time to refresh again. They don't think in terms of what the OS costs any more than they think about what the hard drive, memory, CPU, or other component costs. Of course, there are some power users and tech enthusiasts that upgrade the OS at every opportunity - regardless of if it is Linux, OS X, or Windows. They(we) are the types that consider every component and its cost to value ratio.
Quocka
on Jul 3, 2012
When Windows 7 was released you could purchase a Family Pack (3 for 3 computers). Is Microsoft going to do the same this time for Win 8? Secondly in your article of only paying$40 (US) will this apply outside the US to say Austrlai and thirdly can you only purchase it for one computer given I have three - netbook, desktop and an All-in-one Asus touch screen computer. Would like to hear what you can find out about this. Thanks!
yoshipod (not verified)
on Jul 3, 2012
@Tayme, You are certainly correct. Most users just buy a new computer, or hold off until they need a new one. I wonder how many look at a retail upgrade of Windows at $99 or $149, or a full Windows license at $299, then see a new computer for $399 or $499 and decide to just buy that. They probably figure for a couple hundred dollars more, I can get a new computer with more memory, faster processor, better graphics, etc. Pricing the upgrade at $40 will hopefully encourage more users to make the plunge and upgrade. Windows license costs are kind of like Airline tickets. You most likely paid a different price than the person sitting next to you.
hawg16
on Jul 3, 2012
@yoshi: or Citrix. Or Adobe.
rhj2008
on Jul 5, 2012
is the upgrade version come with the Product key? if not, how in the world can i use it? I don't want to buy something and then found out there is loophole in it, having to buy a key.

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