Those of you hoping save a few bucks by just upgrading Windows XP to Windows Vista Ultimate will be disappointed to hear that Microsoft will offer no such plan. The features and functionality set it apart from other versions of Windows Vista, as Microsoft explains, and it will be the only version of Windows Vista that does not offer an upgrade path. Currently, Windows Vista is still slated for a January 2007 release.
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This is how the program works: upgrades from Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to Windows Vista Home Premium, and upgrades from Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Business 64, will be offered for a nominal fee. Upgrades from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic and to Windows Vista Home Premium will be offered at a 50 percent discount from the boxed product upgrade price, plus the cost of shipping and handling."