Microsoft India to offer Windows 8 upgrade for ₹699
Microsoft reached another milestone in their Windows 8 development—Release Preview. Along with the announcement of the publicly available Windows 8 beta Release Preview build, Microsoft also confirmed upgrade prices for Windows 7 owners. In the US, Windows 7 PC buyers starting June 1st will be offered Windows 8 upgrades at $15 when the OS launches. Technologically Microsoft has ensured Windows 8's compatibility with Windows 7 hardware and Microsoft wants to ensure PC buyers continue buying PCs leading to Windows 8's final launch around October.
Back in 2009, Microsoft India announced free upgrades to Windows 7 for those who bought Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate PCs. Similarly, the company will be offering the upgrade for Windows 7 PC buyers, but at a price. In a press release issued by the company, Microsoft India has confirmed ₹699 for Windows 8 Pro upgrades. The terms for the upgrade offer are consistent to the ones in US:
- Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro (the one with Media Center)
- For PCs bought starting June 2, 2012
- Offer valid till January 31st, 2013
- Windows 7 versions supported: Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional & Ultimate
With the Windows Upgrade Offer, Indian consumers can get a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of just Rs. 699/-.
The Windows Upgrade Offer is valid from June 2, 2012 to January 31, 2013 and is redeemable before the program expiration at the end of February 2013. Consumers who register for the Windows Upgrade Offer will be able to download Windows 8 starting the day it’s made generally available. The upgrade can be installed on any eligible and compatible Windows PC and comes with 90 days of support from Microsoft.
In the US, the upgrade price is $15 which comes to around ₹840 at ₹56 a Dollar. A note of caution though, PCs need to be have authenticate Windows 7 licenses to be eligible.
PS: Karthik K writing for 4Cast was the first to report on this.