Microsoft Offering $39.99 Windows 8 Pro Upgrades

Users with PCs running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99, Microsoft announced today.

Users in 131 markets will be able to purchase the upgrade package at windows.com when Redmond releases Windows 8, which is expected this fall. A packaged, DVD version of Windows 8 Pro will be available for $69.99. The online and in-store offer will run until Jan. 31. 2013.

Users who bought a Windows 7 PC after June 2 will be eligible for a $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade, also through January.

"We set out to make it as easy as possible for everyone to upgrade to Windows 8," Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc wrote in a blog post.

Back in November, Microsoft promised faster, 11-click Windows 8 upgrades. Microsoft said today it will walk users through the upgrade process, which will first check to make sure your computer can handle Windows 8. That check will also alert you to any device or app incompatibility.

For those who want a little something extra, users on the consumer edition of Windows 7 can upgrade to Pro and bring along all files, settings, and apps. Those upgrading from Vista can bring along settings and personal files, but those on XP can only bring files.

"Of course, if you want to start fresh, you can choose to bring nothing along," LeBlanc wrote. "Or if you prefer to format your hard drive as part of your upgrade experience, you can do so as long as you boot from media and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8, not prior to it."

The download can be paused, and users can decide when to install. A backup DVD will be available for $15 plus shipping and handling.

:story: PC Magazine