Microsoft Unveils Limited Time $40 Upgrade Offer to Windows 8 Professional

We understand not everyone is as excited about Windows 8 as Microsoft is. Whether it's the Metro UI, Start button shenanigans, or the fact that Windows 7 works just fine, thank you very much (or a combination of all three), Microsoft hopes its discounted upgrade offer will convince hesitant upgraders to take a leap of faith. It will only cost them $40.

If your PC is running a legit copy of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, you're eligible to upgrade to Windows 8 Professional for $40 (download) or $70 (physical copy) at Windows.com. After you upgrade, you can choose to add Windows Media Center for free through the "add features" option.


"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. 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," Microsoft explains in blog post. "Of course, if you want to start fresh, you can choose to bring nothing along. Or if you prefer to format your hard drive as part of your upgrade experience, you can do so as long as you boot from media and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8, not prior to it."

The upgrade offer is available both online and at retail through January 31, 2013, and is one of several ways Microsoft hopes to get Windows 8 on your system. Another way is by offering a $15 upgrade option to Windows 8 Professional when you buy a qualified Windows 7 PC. And let's not forget that if you purchase a PC for college, Microsoft will hook you up with a free Xbox.

Microsoft's $40/$70 upgrade offer will be available once the RTM (Release To Manufacturing) build is released.