Potential free or low-cost update to Windows 7

[Time Bandit]

Admittedly free does sound a bit TOO good to be true, but according to cnet MS are working on an upgrade path to windows 7 for vista users:

Microsoft is also putting the finishing touches on a program to offer Vista buyers a free or low-cost update to Windows 7. That program could kick off as early as July, sources said.

More details are available on Tech Arp, although not sure who the sources are.

[Funkstar]

Didn't they do this with XP -> Vista as well?

If you buy Vists sometime this year you will get a discount, anytime before 2009 and you pay full price. Any copy of Vista bought after July when this is anounced, and you get a free upgrade.

This stops people from holding off for a few months until Windows 7 is released and keeps stock and cash flowing.

[NightOwl]

Oh how I wish they would publish some concrete info about this! I am poised to buy a new system and this question of whether to buy Vista for it or not (and if not, what OS to use until Win 7 final comes out) has been a difficult one for me as I also want to move to a 64-bit OS. If I knew I would get a significant reduction or a free upgrade to Win 7 when it comes out then I would buy Vista straight away. As it is I am loathe to shell out 90 quid for an OS that will be supceded in perhaps 6-12 months time. It's just really bad timing for me. *sigh*

[shbris]

i love xp don't get me wrong <3

but they should stop supporting it, just force people to upgrade. makes it much easier on software peeps, AND will force dx10/11 to go more mainstream instead of having to make it as an add on. dx10 by itself is more efficient than dx9 just gets hampered. in terms of GPUs as well, anyone know a gamer who doesn't have an 8series or above

[Splash]

As Funkstar said it's the *exact* same programme that they ran in the run up to Vista and XP launch whereby if you buy a PC from a participating vendor in a predetermined (unannounced as yet afaik) "qualifying period" you'll get a voucher for a free upgrade to the new OS. If your OEM ain't participating you don't get a voucher. If you buy an OEM copy from Scan to install on a self build you don't get a voucher.

It's certainly not the admission of Vista being a failure that some may prefer to make it out to be (unless they're also saying that XP and Win2k before it were also failures), it's just a way to stop people holding off buying new kit until the new OS is released.

[GheeTsar]

...if you buy a PC from a participating vendor in a predetermined (unannounced as yet afaik) "qualifying period" you'll get a voucher for a free upgrade to the new OS.

I think it's July 1st.

Some details on the specifics of the upgrade programme can be found here:

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.a...tno=609&pgno=0

I've also heard that MS are trying to get W7 released before Christmas this year, if you can wait that long.

[Splash]

I'm in no rush, probably won't upgrade until I build a new machine and my OEM Vista license needs replacing.

[Funkstar]

I'll just be waiting until W7 is released to Action Pack subscribers

[Time Bandit]

. . . if you buy a PC from a participating vendor in a predetermined (unannounced as yet afaik) "qualifying period" you'll get a voucher for a free upgrade to the new OS. If your OEM ain't participating you don't get a voucher. If you buy an OEM copy from Scan to install on a self build you don't get a voucher.

This seems like a real kick in the teeth for home builders and small companies doing custom builds. Surely you ought to be able to get a voucher if you have bought a legitimate OEM copy from a reputable supplier like Scan. Perhaps there will be a work around, there used to be silly rules about only selling OEM software in conjunction with hardware to allow home builders access to it - have to ask in the Scan forum.

. . . it's just a way to stop people holding off buying new kit until the new OS is released.

Its a major disincentive to me, I want to build my 64bit system now and would sooner skip vista with Win 7 being so near. I missed the blooby beta download by a whisker which would have been a decent option for enthusiasts, at least until august or whenever it gets turned off. I gather that RC1 may be available to users around April (can't find link atm) although MS is being tight-lipped about that one.

[Splash]

This seems like a real kick in the teeth for home builders and small companies doing custom builds. Surely you ought to be able to get a voucher if you have bought a legitimate OEM copy from a reputable supplier like Scan. Perhaps there will be a work around, there used to be silly rules about only selling OEM software in conjunction with hardware to allow home builders access to it - have to ask in the Scan forum.

The OEM that you buy from must be registered as part of the promotion. I'm not saying that Scan *won't* be involved, but I'd be very surprised if it extended to OEM bought copies rather than full systems.

Its a major disincentive to me, I want to build my 64bit system now and would sooner skip vista with Win 7 being so near. I missed the blooby beta download by a whisker which would have been a decent option for enthusiasts, at least until august or whenever it gets turned off. I gather that RC1 may be available to users around April (can't find link atm) although MS is being tight-lipped about that one.

I'm afraid that you simply can't have your cake and eat it - you either put off the build now and hope you can arrange some sort of upgrade when 7 is released either at the end of this year or early next (remember we're talking at least 2 quarters here, so there's no way Microsoft are going to run the deal from now), or you suck up the cost of an OEM of Vista now (c'mon, it's not that big a portion of the cost of your build, is it?) and then pay again when 7 hits.

Or you stick with a single OS, I guess.


And it's hardly Microsoft's fault that you missed the download window, is it? it's not as if the end wasn't publicised at all, or that the window was only a couple of days.

[Time Bandit]

mmwwummm mwouumm mmwaoummm

(attempting to eat cake)

[lukeharvest]

mmwwummm mwouumm mmwaoummm

(attempting to eat cake)

ROFL

It's good news, sounds like MS are making up for a bad start with Vista.

[Singh400]

The free upgrade program does start up on the 1st of July 2009 (only applies to OEM machines). RC has been rumoured to be released in April, and Microsoft haven't denied this (so it's good as true). And now the latest news is that, RTM/Gold has been moved up August. With system builders getting OEM installs in the same month.

Although the "official" release date is still Jan 2010 (Official, being GA). I suspect it will be available to buy before Xmas 2009.

[Splash]

ROFL

It's good news, sounds like MS are making up for a bad start with Vista.

No, no it's not.

http://forums.hexus.net/1634598-post5.html

[shaithis]

More people with the "I don't want that crappy failure Vista but I'll happily take Windows 7" line.

Makes me giggle and cry at the same time whenever I see it.

[TAKTAK]

More people with the "I don't want that crappy failure Vista but I'll happily take Windows 7" line.

Makes me giggle and cry at the same time whenever I see it.

TBH Vista has been great for me, until recently that is...

It just keeps crapping out

Aaaah well, as with every other MS product, it has a shelf life of 1 year till re-install