Microsoft Offers Windows 8 Upgrade At $39.99

Microsoft is looking to gain more Windows 8 users by offering a low upgrade price for the Pro version of its much-anticipated operating system.

Up until 31 January 2013, Windows 8 Pro will cost $39.99 to download or $69.99 for the packaged DVD version of the upgrade. That means there will be a small gap between general availability, which is expected in October, and the end of the promotion.

Users can also get Windows Media Center for free after the upgrade. Anyone running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 will be eligible for an upgrade.

Answering compatibility questions

“You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and bring everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps,” explained Brandon LeBlanc, from the Windows team, in a blog post.

“If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, you will be able to bring along your Windows settings and personal files, and if you are upgrading from Windows XP you will only be able to bring along your personal files.”

Customers who purchase a Windows 7-based PC in the next couple of months will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 for just $15 (£9.35).

Microsoft is attempting to compete with the low OS upgrades that Apple has been offering over its App Store. Mac OS X Lion, released last summer, costs only $29.99.

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