Windows 8 upgrade to cost US $39.99

Microsoft has finally shed some light on Windows 8 upgrade pricing, or the cost of upgrading Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 OS to the upcoming Windows 8, and the actual price is surprisingly low.

According to the info over at The Windows Blog, the online version of the upgrade will go for as low as US $39.99 for Windows 8 Pro. The packaged/retail DVD version will be rolling out for slightly higher US $69.99. According to Microsoft, the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will check to make sure that your PC is ready for Windows 8 and let you save all your Windows settings, personal files and apps in case you are switching from any consumer of Windows 7.

Those with Windows XP will only be able to bring personal files while Vista users will get Windows settings and personal files. After purchase and settings, the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will kick of the download. There is also an option of creating your own bootable USB or .ISO file to burn on the DVD or you can purchase a backup DVD for US $15 + shipping.

Of course, Microsoft was keen to note that these are all "promotional prices" and will be so until January 31st, 2013. It is also expected that the prices will rise after the end of the promotion. The download will be available for over 100 countries and in 37 languages.

You can check out more details at The Windows Blog.

It’s the last ever Windows release that’s why so cheap.

It's such a POC that the only way they'll sell it is to have a low price. I installed the Consumer Preview ... HATED it so bad I went out and bought a Mac after seeing the direction Microsoft is going.

I frankly do NOT want a game console interface to use my PC. So I don't, I have a Mac now.

So for only $39.99, you can “upgrade” your existing OS to eliminate the start menu and replace it with a set of large, colorful Fisher-Price blocks that all point to Microsoft stores and products and which are functional only on touch screen devices, while at the same time completely destroying the utility of the mouse. Sounds like a bargain to me.

Thanks Ernest. Alas Babylon's post was #26 and I have no idea what “Windows Server Hyper-V role” and all that is about. I don't need anything pertaining to business, mine is all for pleasure posting and graphic creation.

I'm thinking I'll find one source in my computer that has all of my graphics and remove them to my external hard drive. Then I can go to all the other areas where Win 7 put pictures and delete them all. Then I can create a new folder and upload them and hope they don't get copied all over the place again!

People rail on MS but they have done a lot of fascinating stuff a lot cheaper than the other guys, Apple...

Wait...what?

The latest Apple OS, Mountain Lion, is $20. The MS Windows8 is twice that, at it's cheapest price point.

Or are you confusing hardware prices with software prices? Because Apple makes their money on the hardware... MS doesn't.

regarding win7.... I agree that It runs, and boots faster but that is not my complaint. EVERY computer system I have put it on had stealth sofware leaks which I have heard from many the same story - (some acting more like viruses than mere software).

The problem is after logging on to update or upgrade protective software, the stealth software lets these NASTY, SNEAKY programs to invade the computer and it is hell to get rid of even after running the new virus and protection installation.

I have heard from others that if you are running a server you are warned to first insure the protection software in up and running before initially logging it onto the internet otherwise this Stealth software opens a port where all kinds of MS Associate software are loaded without your permission or even knowledge(some are just OK while most are downright BAD(Obnoxious/Persistent/Irritating/etc.).

Even after running system cleansing the programs kept showing up and taking over the system and being a nuisance until you buy or can rid yourself of the stealth software. Then another others show up and you have to repeat the process.

I used Norton 360 and it has always blocked “crap” but on windows 7 it is given permission to stealthily download MS Associate Software.

I immediately rescued and re-installed my XP software and NONE of that has occurred since.

I’ll take the slower system if I know it is going to protect the integrity of my computer.

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