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 ]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex said 1:54PM on 1-07-2009
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.
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sk said 3:19PM on 1-07-2009
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).
iuqiddis said 6:39PM on 1-07-2009
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.
Phil said 5:55AM on 1-08-2009
You know that you can install a trial version using the upgrade media, and then upgrade the trial to a full working copy right?
miked860 said 3:04PM on 1-07-2009
Easier just to torrent it on release day and get a full version.
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El Taco said 5:46PM on 1-07-2009
I don't think easy is the main reason you would do that.
Suicycle said 3:08PM on 1-07-2009
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.
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Daniel said 4:54PM on 1-07-2009
Break? Microsoft was literally handing out vista, I was able to grab a free copy of vista business... so i couldn't complain :)
bondsbw said 5:27PM on 1-07-2009
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 Asskicker said 4:29PM on 1-07-2009
That is the crappiest Photoshop job I have seen in a long time
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El Taco said 5:46PM on 1-07-2009
It was a Paint job, not a Photoshop job.
ryzza007 said 6:24PM on 1-07-2009
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)?
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Jon said 8:24AM on 1-08-2009
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
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bill; warren said 3:09PM on 1-08-2009
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.
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E.T. said 5:40PM on 1-08-2009
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.
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Tim said 5:44PM on 1-08-2009
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.
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Toby Gilbert said 7:19PM on 1-08-2009
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?
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Thunderbuck said 6:24PM on 1-09-2009
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.
Ian said 6:48PM on 1-10-2009
At least we don't have to pay for service packs, like Apple users do.
Joe B. said 4:07PM on 1-11-2009
Given the your post, methinks you might be happier with a Mac. They're a bunch of whiny little girls too.