News

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

• By Chris Paoli
• July 03, 2012

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.