Windows 8 pro is being offered by Microsoft at $40 (expected to be released in the fall of 2012), given that the customer has been using at least Windows XP. This applies to purchases made via windows.com and the offer is valid till 31 January 2013. But if you purchase the DVD package, be prepared to shell out $70 for the same.
In a blog post, Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc said that the intention was to make it very easy for users to upgrade to Windows 8. With this upgrade, Windows Media Center will be available free of cost.
His blog also stated:
- Customers with Windows 7 are eligible for upgrade from any consumer edition and can carry forward their settings, documents and other files, and also their applications.
- Those using Windows Vista can take everything except applications.
- Windows XP users cannot keep anything other than their personal files.
- Of course, everyone has the option to wipe the slate clean and start anew.
In a sense, it will be more of a ‘migration’ than an update.
If you purchase a PC with Windows 7 now, before Windows 8 is launched, then you can upgrade for just $15, but it’s better to wait, and get new hardware.
Microsoft’s hopes for the future are riding on Windows 8 and so it’s not surprising that they are pricing it low, as an enticement for customers.
When you upgrade to Windows 8 Pro through Windows.com, the process becomes easy thanks to the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. It walks you through the upgrade process: purchase, download and finally installation. It will ascertain if your PC is ready for Windows 8 and apprise you of any compatibility issues. This will help you do the necessary trouble shooting before the actual upgrading.
Windows 8 is majorly refurbished, with a new Metro Start Screen and a Windows Store where you can buy Metro style apps.
Here are some of the main features of Windows 8 Pro:
- Bit Locker and Bit Locker to Go: these are strong encryption features, and are especially helpful for portable devices.
- Domain Join and Group Policy: These features are extremely helpful for system administrators and will simplify the management of a Windows environment.
- Boot from VHD: you can create a virtual hard disk and eliminate the hassle of dual booting.
- Client Hyper V is a full strength hypervisor which lets you spin up a Windows domain controller or web server in seconds.
- Remote Desktop and Encryption of Files continues in Windows 8, carried forward from the earlier versions.
But this radical reinvention might intimidate many users; also most people don’t bother upgrading their operating systems until they change their computers, no matter how good or attractive the new one is.
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