News

Windows 8 Upgrades To Cost $40, Include Windows Media Player (UPDATED)

Those running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99, Microsoft said on Monday in a blog post.

This is substantially cheaper than the cost to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, which ranged from $119 to $219.

UPDATE, 7/6: Microsoft has confirmed that the $39.99 upgrade price will also be available to current Windows 8 release preview testers.

Available in 131 markets and valid through January 31, 2013, the $39.99 upgrade promotion, will also let users add Windows Media Player for free. Microsoft originally announced in May that Media Player will no longer be a free, built-in app for Windows 8 customers.

Those taking part in the upgrade offer can also purchase a backup copy of Windows 8 on DVD for an additional $15.

According to the blog, the deal is extended to those who upgrade online through Windows.com. Once the upgrade is purchased, a prompt will walk users through the upgrade process -- an assistance tool Microsoft said has been simplified for Windows 8.

"We believe that your upgrade experience in Windows 8 will be a breeze by offering a faster experience, a single upgrade path, and compatibility from prior versions of Windows," said Brandon LeBlanc, communications manager for Microsoft, in the blog. "We've continued to listen to our customers and have expanded the ability to download to over 100 countries and 37 languages. We have simplified the Windows upgrade experience with the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant which supports you during your upgrade with everything from selecting your language to pausing your download to built-in compatibility checks -- it's seamless."

The physical copy of Windows 8 Pro upgrade will also be discounted at $69.99.

For those who recently purchased or are thinking about purchasing a Windows 7 machine, Microsoft will send you a code to upgrade your OS to Windows 8 for $14.99.

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.