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Registration is now open for Microsoft’s Windows Upgrade Offer, a program that will provide a deep discount for Windows 8 Pro.
If you have already purchased or plan to buy an eligible Windows 7 PC between June 2, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 after the software debuts on Oct. 26. Registration will close on Feb. 28, 2013.
Users running Windows XP or Windows Vista are also eligible for a discounted upgrade. After the October launch date, you can download the update for $39.99 through Windows.com. A physical packaged DVD version will set you back $69.99 at retail stores.
To register for the upgrade, visit the offer website after purchasing your computer. For this part of this process, you will need the date of purchase, retailer, PC brand and model and the 25-digit Windows 7 product key that came with your computer. Starting on Oct. 26, Microsoft will email the promotional codes and instructions for completing the online upgrade.
Microsoft has been aggressive in pricing its latest operating system, which is quite a change of pace from its $119 Windows 7 upgrade in 2009. This could be a strategic move to level the playing field with Apple, which charged just $19.99 for its OS X Mountain Lion upgrade.
