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MS To Offer Free Windows 7 Upgrade To Vista Users
crazyeyes writes "With Windows 7 set for release in Dec. 09, Microsoft is getting ready with their free upgrade program, which allows Vista users to switch to Windows 7 when it arrives. The folks at TechARP have consistently scored accurate scoops on Microsoft software releases. They have now revealed Microsoft's upgrade plans, schedules and even screenshots of the upgrade process."
Similar to previous upgrade programs. The goal is minimizing the number of end users who may postpone purchasing a new computer because of the next version of Windows will be released soon.
Buy an eligible new PC with Windows Vista (Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate) and get a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it's released.
No free upgrade to anyone who currently has Vista, and the program doesn't exist yet so no free upgrade if you buy a new PC tomorrow.
No free upgrade for Windows XP...
Absolutely nothing unexpected here.
I'm going to go back in my box and will think within the limits of my box: MS Sucks Linux Good I read too much Slashdot.
* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Starter Edition, and Windows XP (all editions) are not qualifying products under the program.
If you buy a PC with Vista pre-installed after July 2009, you'll get a free upgrade to 7. Everyone else will still have to buy the upgrade. This is a common practice for software (I think they did the same thing for XP -> Vista); there's really not much to see here.
1. This isn't for arbitrary XP or Vista users; it is (assuming the rumor holds) a program which they will start at some point, so that if you buy a new computer during that time with Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate, you'll get an upgrade to Win 7 when it comes out. This is to reduce the number of people who hold of on buying a new computer until that time.
2. It isn't for XP users at all. There are eleven occurances of "XP" on the linked page, and all but one is in an ad: "* Microsoft Windows Vista® Home Basic, Windows Vista® Starter Edition, and Windows® XP (all editions) are not qualifying products under the program." (emphasis mine).
It's a bit cliche to complain about the editors reading the articles before posting them, but did the poster even read this one?
dos 1
dos 2
dos 3
dos 4
dos 5
Windows 1
Windows 2
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.11
NT 3.5
ME
Bob
95
98
2000
2000 professional
XP Home
XP pro
Media Center
Vista Home
Vista Home premium
Vista Business
Vista Ultimate
I've used all of those to some degree except Dos 1 Dos 2 Windows 1
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
You know, if you RTFA, it does state:
...and:
...and:
So let's recap: no free upgrades for XP users, you have to have bought a qualifying Vista-based system within an as-yet undetermined qualifying period, and even then you'll only be able to get a free upgrade from your systems OEM if they choose to participate in the program.
This looks like the standard upgrade protection that Apple typically offers to those who buy a new system just prior to the ship date of their latest and greatest OS. So in essence, there is nothing to be seen here. Please move along people.
Yaz.
This happens more often than you think. Just browse at -1.
Its funny really. If they change the UI too much, people bitch that they changed it just for the sake of changing it, and thats its the same OS with a pretty face. If they change mostly the backend and whats under the hood, then people say "Its an overglorified service pack"
So I'll ask you. Have you actually looked at the extent of the changes they made to Windows under the hood? No, it didn't break much compatibility because they didn't change something that does, such as the driver subsystem. Still, the changes, for example the new service trigger engine, the user mode scheduler, the remoting system, the amount of new APIs added, the UI revamp (not like XP to Vista, but still quite significant), the software DX renderer, the upgrades to the enterprise service versions, the updates of many of the userland apps, the netbook and touchscreen features, yadah yadah yadah... overall, I'd dare say its one of the more massive updates to Windows in a long time, and greater than XP -> Vista in term of features. But yes, a lot of customers won't notice this, on top of people being comfy in the XP -> Vista release schedule (and their comfortable zone got shaken off as MS came back to the old release schedule), so they have to do this and give it.
Doesn't change how massive the update is, though.
I was thinking the exact same thing, but, since I don't have the mod points to mod you "insightful", I'll add:
Not to mention 6.1 and 6.2 (to remove Stacker) :D
This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
Actually, 6.21 removed DoubleSpace, 6.22 reintroduced it under the name DriveSpace with the offending code removed.
:)
6.2 had DoubleSpace and introduced various other notable bits and pieces. Scandisk, which I suspect many Slashdot readers are familiar with, was introduced in 6.2.
Just some useless and ancient trivia for you
Actually, I've never seen Microsoft do this with any other version of Windows
Really? They did it with Vista:
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/08/free-windows-vista-upgrade-coupons-for.html
"Windows XP Users will be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows Vista if they purchase a Vista-enabled PC starting October till the time Vista formally hits the store shelves."
They did it with Windows 2000:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/WorkingGroups/Users/CUC/2000/csejan00.htm
"We have been told by our suppliers that a Microsoft technology warranty will apply to all copies of NT Operating systems bought after 1 January, 2000 and before the launch date (expected to be 17 February, 2000). So new system purchasers within those dates will have a free right of upgrade."
They did it with Windows Mobile 2003 from PocketPC 2002
"PDAs bought between 23 May and 23 September can be upgraded to the updated OS for free."
I'm having trouble digging up articles about upgrade rights or free upgrade programs from 2k to XP, and I honestly don't specifically remember there being a program for that one, but the point stands; while it might not be universally true, its certainly not uncommon for Microsoft to offer a free or 'cost of shipping' upgrades to people who buy a product in the weeks or months immediately before a new release is expected.
You can turn off signatures in your user preferences. I did this years ago so I don't have to see all the crap people put in their sigs.
I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
However getting more RAM means either higher price because it has only DDR2 slots or upgrading motherboard - and while upgrading motherboard I'll have to upgrade CPU and graphics card.
DDR2 RAM is the cheapest RAM you can buy.
Suddenly it is not that cheap to throw more RAM on the problem.
2GB of DDR2 won't even cost you US$25. Heck, you can pick up 4GB for about $40.