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Vista to Windows 7 upgrade date and details revealed
For everyone wanting a free upgrade to Windows 7, Microsoft finally has an answer. Unfortunately, it probably isn't the answer you wanted to hear.Starting on July 1, 2009 any new systems purchased will be eligible for the no-charge update. In addition to purchasing the PC after that date, there are three more rules:
- End users must purchase a new PC that is pre-installed with an eligible Windows Vista OS. Retail boxed Vista versions likely won't qualify.
- Your computer must have a valid Windows Vista COA attached.
- The only Windows Vista® versions eligible for the program are Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate. Vista basic users are out of luck.
Participation in the program is optional, so it's ultimately up to the OEM that builds your system to allow the upgrade. In all fairness, this has been the case with every other Windows upgrade -- and almost all vendors participate.
With news like this, I'd fully expect to see the Windows 7 beta torrent become even more popular.
[ via ZDnet and TechArp ]
Comments
35
Subscribe to commentsAlexJan 7th 2009 1:54PM
Personal I don't like upgrade because upgrade are a pain, if ever have to reformate or reinstalled you have to reinstalled your old OS then installed the upgrade. You have to pay a little more for the full the version but to me it worth it.
skJan 7th 2009 3:19PM
I reformat every 6 months or so because of how slow Windows gets. Honestly you should be making an image every so often so that you can do the same (and to back things up).
iuqiddisJan 7th 2009 6:39PM
i'm curious, what windows are you using or do you install a lot of stuff that you have to reinstall every 6 months. I just felt that since xp, the system runs pretty stable for a very long time (a few years). It does get slightly slower, but nothing drastic. With vista, I think its a bit better.
With either OS, i think the only thing that gets really slow is start up time , but maybe from 15-20s at installtion to a minute or so after a year.
PhilJan 8th 2009 5:55AM
You know that you can install a trial version using the upgrade media, and then upgrade the trial to a full working copy right?
miked860Jan 7th 2009 3:04PM
Easier just to torrent it on release day and get a full version.
El TacoJan 7th 2009 5:46PM
I don't think easy is the main reason you would do that.
SuicycleJan 7th 2009 3:08PM
For all the trouble the initial Vista users went through, we should at least get some sort of break. I'm sure the can tell by the COA which Vista users may have gone through significant headaches early on.
DanielJan 7th 2009 4:54PM
Break? Microsoft was literally handing out vista, I was able to grab a free copy of vista business... so i couldn't complain :)
bondsbwJan 7th 2009 5:27PM
Considering that this only applies to computers purchased after July 1, 2009, early adopters don't get the deal anyway.
This is very simple: if you want a no-cost upgrade for a computer purchased after July 1, 2009, just make sure that you follow those rules. You know them well in advance; if you aren't eligible, it's your own fault.
Ryan AsskickerJan 7th 2009 4:29PM
That is the crappiest Photoshop job I have seen in a long time
El TacoJan 7th 2009 5:46PM
It was a Paint job, not a Photoshop job.
ryzza007Jan 7th 2009 6:24PM
Wow - that image is testament to the amazing abilities of Microsoft Paint :) - surprised the 'I'm a mac' ads haven't picked on that yet
Anyway - good idea by MS, but has no relevance to me.
Am I right in assuming the start date of this offer matches the end date for being able to downgrade to XP when getting a new PC (or close enough)?
JonJan 8th 2009 8:24AM
Good thing i got Vista Ult on launch day .. all those AMAZING ultimate extras .. WHOA ! they should give me 7 for free as a Ult Extra
bill; warrenJan 8th 2009 3:09PM
I believe Windows Vista is junk, they know of the problems,and us the consumers still eat it with no recourse at all. They should up grade everyone having Vista with no cost to us.It just leaves a bad taste with we replace our PC's.
E.T.Jan 8th 2009 5:40PM
I just purchased this computer a few weeks ago....now to replace MS Vista with MS 7 for ease of operation does not seem right.
Poor marketing and customer msatisfaction.
TimJan 8th 2009 5:44PM
At first i thought it was saying you can upgrade for free by owning a pc bought after 6/1 OR meet the other 3 requirements, not and. Ill wait for the final release. Then I'll torrent.
Toby GilbertJan 8th 2009 7:19PM
I have a Vista system on my computer now. So does this mean I am S.O.L.
and won't get the free upgrade? That sucks! I have already spent my money on a system that was the next up and coming. But now that you folks found out it isn't so great. The folks who purchased it a year or so ago are left high and dry. Now we just have to spend more money to up grade agian. WHAT KIND OF CRAPIS THAT?
ThunderbuckJan 9th 2009 6:24PM
I'm sorry, how long ago did you buy your PC?
They've announced a date for upgrade eligibility, that's all. It doesn't mean Windows 7 will be available then. In fact, it means that Win7 is coming somewhat later, but whoever buys after the eligibility date will have a free upgrade.
There's no way they're going to give every Vista customer from the previous 18 months a free upgrade, and it's not reasonable to ask for it.
Most of the changes between Vista and Win7 are pretty cosmetic, anyway (especially after Vista SP2), so if you don't upgrade for a while, you probably aren't missing that much.
IanJan 10th 2009 6:48PM
At least we don't have to pay for service packs, like Apple users do.
Joe B.Jan 11th 2009 4:07PM
Given the your post, methinks you might be happier with a Mac. They're a bunch of whiny little girls too.