Thursday, Jul 05, 2012
Dubai Microsoft is offering cheap upgrades from Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 to users who purchased a computer before June 2 last year to Windows 8 Professional.
They need to just shell out $39.99 for Windows 8 Pro.
“If consumers purchased a computer between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013, they need to spend just $14.99 to get Windows 8 Pro,” Microsoft said on its website.
Microsoft assures us that upgrading to Windows 8 will be a seamless process. An “upgrade assistant” will walk you through configuring and installing the new OS, and will double-check to make sure your computer supports Windows 8.
It will even notify you if the installation will break any of your applications or device drivers. No word yet on how much a standalone version of Windows 8 will cost.
To take advantage of this offer, customers need to register before February 28, 2013, on Microsoft’s website. Plus the offer includes 90 days of Microsoft technical support at no charge.
If users prefer a disc, they can also pay $15 for a backup disc or just buy a $60 upgrade version in Microsoft stores.
“We’ll send you an email with your promotion code and purchase instructions when Windows 8 Pro is available,” the website said.
This provides a clear incentive for users to make a big leap to Windows 8, particularly for those who never left the comfort of Windows XP.
About 39.61 per cent of computers are still running Windows XP, according to the analysis site NetMaketShare, just ahead of the 38.43 per cent market share from Windows 7 while Windows Vista has 6.10 per cent market share.
Users running XP will only be able to take their personal files with them through the Windows upgrade. Windows Vista users will be able to bring their Windows settings and personal files; Windows 7 users can bring their settings, files and apps.
If you want to reformat your hard drive before upgrading, Microsoft said, you can do that from within the setup wizard that comes with the upgrade download.
Microsoft is making a big bet with Windows 8, which is supposed to help the company keep its PC sensibilities while making its push into the tablet market with the introduction of the Surface.
By Naushad K Cherrayil?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
