Microsoft Details Windows 8 Upgrade Options, Devil’s in the Details
Details have emerged about the specifics of the Windows 8 upgrade possibilities. Here’s the scuttlebutt: If you’re upgrading from Windows XP (SP3) to Windows 8, you can do so, but you’ll only get to keep your personal files--no applications or system settings will come along for the ride. The same applies to those upgrading from a service pack-less Vista installation. If you have Vista (SP1), though, you can have your system setting, too.
When upgrading from Windows 7, the path is mostly clear and includes taking all your personal data, system settings, and even applications with you, although some of it depends on which version of Windows 7 you have and which version of Windows 8 you want.
To get the basic Windows 8 version, you can upgrade from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, or Home Premium; user can get to Windows 8 Pro from the aforementioned versions as well as Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate. Business looking to upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise better hope they’ve already deployed Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate, because that’s the only way to get it.
It’s also worth noting that users won’t be able to keep their files and settings if they’re upgrading from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version.
Finally, to anyone concerned about buying a Windows 7-based system this summer and missing out on Windows 8 needn’t worry; Microsoft will let those folks have Windows 8 Pro (assuming the above conditions are met) for just $14.99 when it’s available.
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It sound like great idea to jump ahead to new OS, Windows 8. I perfer to hold off with my Windows 7 for while. I dont understand why Microsoft was in rush to make new OS in under 1 year while Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 in 2nd years. I dont see no reason to move to new Windows 8. I will wait about 1 or 2 years for Microsoft find some new "bugs" on Windows 8 then they will build Win 8 with Servic pack 1 or 2 then i will make a move to Windows 8. Do it make a sense to all of you on HH Forums? |
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Windows 7 will be supported until 2020, so you got plenty of time to wait but it's been closer to 3 years since it was released and it was mainly a fixed version of Windows Vista as they didn't start from scratch. MS has actually been working on Windows 8 for quite awhile, it just wasn't widely known outside of the company for most of that time. Though most of the major work was done this year and the general rush is to get it to market in time for the holiday shopping season and to start to tap the rapidly growing tablet market before that trend changes. While waiting till the SP release is generally always a good idea... XP needed 3, Win7 needed 1 and we'll see about Win8/RT. |
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I'm with ya Mike. I'll be sitting this one out for a while until I see how it goes. I have a feeling this is going to be another ME/Vista. At this point I don't have any need to move from Win7, and the features they are talking about just aren't enough to entice me to upgrade, unlike when I went from XP to 7. I just don't think they needed to do this at this point. |
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I have used Windows 8 as extensively as I could stand. Moving from Win7 to Win8 is an "upgrade" like moving from a 1-family home to a 2-room apartment is an "upgrade." |
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