Reserve your copy of Windows 8 Pro and Pre-order Windows 8 PCs today!

What about full retail version ?

Will I be able to buy upgrade with paypal - no credit card?

So wait...pre-order for $70 or wait and get it for $40? Why would anyone pre-order?

This Pre-order have spanish latan language?

@spivonious $70 is to pre-order a physical DVD. For $40, you can only download from windows.com. So if you want a DVD, that option is there.

@sourcecode Full retail versions no longer exist. If you need that, you will need to purchase the Windows 8 Pro OEM for Personal Use. Learn more at: www.neowin.net/.../windows-8-pricing-revealed-through-newegg

Buy a Windows 7 PC and get Windows 8 Pro for $14.99

Brandon, is it just the "online" software only orders that will get the Media Center Pack included in the price during the discounted period?

windowsteamblog.com/.../upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx

"And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the “add features” option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade."

@Jarret Even the online download will have an option to burn to DVD so it still includes a way to get physical media while enjoying the discount of buying "software only" online.

Hey guys, I am very confuse. Can someone respectfully explain this to me? What is the difference between the Pro and Professional? With my student discount on ultimatesteal.com, I was able to buy a downloadable version of Windows 7 and buy a backup disc. I want that for Windows 8. Which option is that? From the readings, it seems that is Windows Pro Pack for $39.99 and then pay $15 for the disc. But that is cheaper than the Windows Professional which is $69.99 which is just the disc. So, I am confuse about the pricing and it is making me think that Windows Pro and Windows Professional are different. Thanks.

This is some great looking packaging with even better software inside! I've been using Windows 8 since the developer preview, and I'm pretty excited to get my hands on the final version. Sure, it's a big shift for Windows, but I think that it's in the right direction.

The most awaited software is here.

The cover pack is really vibrant and impressive.

Hope, that windows 8 rocks my PC.

:) Love Windows.

And who can buy this upgrade (E.g. I have a Win7 pro systembuilder 32 Bit and want Win 8 pro 64 bit) and what is it? (A standalone version or must I install Win 7 first?)

I will just wait for a crack.. LOL

Your Acer link for pre-ordering tablets does not show a Windows 8 tablet.  Just Android tablets.  No W510 there.  Might want to wait to link until they have product.

Please, someone help me out. I have a PC with ONLY Win8 RP (no underlying Win7 or earlier license), can I use this upgrade edition and successfully upgrade to Win8? I've heard you need to have an underlying previous license. Please help!

.........yeah no thank's

Sadly they can't even sell this fail at $40

Hi, Brandon.

In the post (windowsteamblog.com/.../upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx) announcing the $39.99 online upgrade offer, it says... "And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the “add features” option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade."

I have the same question that DatabaseJase asked earlier.

Does the $69.99 retail/box upgrade offer also include the ability to add Windows Media Center for FREE via the "add features" option?

Thanks in advance for the clarification.  I'm sure others out there would like to know.

-ZPE

I see you just answered my question, Brandon.  Thanks!

can i copy your post to my techblog ??pls?

What would the upgrade path be for a Win 8 RC user who has a valid license of Win 7 which isn't currently installed? Would I need to re-install Win 7 just to do the Win 8 upgrade or is there a method that can just validate my Win 7 key against my hardware before proceeding with the install.

Hi Brandon,

Just a small query, I bought my Laptop with windows vista, then I upgraded it to windows 7  32 bit with the upgrade offer, when windows 7 was released. I now want to upgrade to win 8 pro 64 bit. Can I do that ? Also if in future something goes wrong,  I format my hard disk, but I don't have the physical copy of windows vista, I got only windows 7 updater disc. So how can I install windows 8, again.

Will you be able to reintall with the Downloadable version for Microsoft?

Can you do a clean install of Windows 8 from the upgrade version?  Previous versions of Windows (before Windows 7) would allow you to authenticate your upgrade by simply inserting your old installation media.  This is greatly preferable to having to install an OS you don't want just to install the OS you do want if you need to start over after a hard drive failure or other event that causes you need to start over from scratch.

@Brandon - Thank you for the reply. Please include in that FAQ what would happen if you later re-installed the "upgrade" after the 31st January, would the add features system recognise that you should get Windows Media Centre for free again?

Thanks, Brandon! You're the man!

in countries will be available Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant? windowsteamblog.com/.../upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx

I remember that there was a program for Windows 7 that checked if your computer could run the OS. I thought there was one for Windows 8 as well, but I can only find the Release Preview, which is a couple GB. So is there such a program for Windows 8 that doesn't require downloading the Release Preview as well?

Great :-) And those covers are really wo derful! Sad that I'm not going to buy the physical copy!

Btw I got one question:  "Offer limited to five upgrade licenses per customer" mean I can upgrade 5 PCs from one upgrade key I'm going to purchase or that one can only purchase 5 upgrade keys seperately?

what if i want to preorder a PRO OEM for personal use? how much will it cost?

@adacosta: Despite the name from what i know this OEM for personal use grants the user the same rights of the good ol' retail: install your copy on one PC and reinstall it a gazzilion times on whatever pc you own as long as you have just ONE copy installed at any given time ( = uninstall from the old pc and install on the new one)...and you have to unistall it from your computer in case you wanna sell it...actually I  don't get the point of changing its name...

Over at Staples.ca they have Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 Pro Pack, both are $69.99.  What is the difference between these?

www.staples.ca/.../cat_sku.asp

www.staples.ca/.../cat_sku.asp

what if i want a full windows 8 Pro version ?

Will there be an option to download and burn an ISO instead of using the upgrade assistant?

Anyone building a *new* Media Center PC will need to pay $140 for Windows 8 Pro, as opposed to $100 for Windows 7.

@Spectrum7glr  & @riseagn, The Windows 8 Pro OEM is $139.99 through Newegg.com.

As for your Spectrum7glr's other question, here is the reasoning for the OEM version being differentiated in name/pricing as far as I understand: In previous versions of Windows, Microsoft offered full retail, upgrade, or OEM versions. The full retail was intended for general customers who didn't have a valid Windows license to upgrade from. Support for this version was provided directly from Microsoft. The upgrade version was the same as it is for Windows 8 -- to upgrade from a previous version for which Microsoft has provided an upgrade path (XP, Vista and Win7 in this case). OEM was intended for system builders or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Dell or HP. Microsoft provides no direct support for this type of license. Instead the OEM is expected to provide support for the end user (or you are on your own if you build a computer yourself with an OEM license for your Windows activation).

The change with Windows 8 is that there is no longer a full retail version, which I assume was priced higher because of the added overhead of providing customer support. If you don't qualify for an upgrade, or are building a new computer with no OS preinstalled, you will need to purchase the OEM version for system builders. The software operates the same; it's just the licensing that is implemented differently.

Seems to be a gap in the update path

I have XP 64 Bit.

There is no SP3 for XP 64bit.

I cannot update to Windows 8 64 Bit.

Is this correct? This there anthing that can be done for me to buy an upgrade to Windows 8 64 bit?

Though Microsoft is going for iconography and minimalism, the symbol on the box ironically looks much more like an actual window than any previous Windows version!

I have a recipt from Best Buy because I purchased a new desktop and got the $14.99 offer for Windows 8.  Does "Offers limited to five upgrade licenses per customer." mean that I can upgrade both of the computers in my home with Windows 8?  I have a laptop and a desktop that I would like to upgrade.  Is it also $14.99 per computer or for the license?

Hi Brandon - first, thank you for running this blog. I have an HP Slate 500 with a partitioned harddrive, Windows 7 Professional on one half and I am running Windows 8 RTM (earlier ran Windows 8 Consumer Preview) on the other half. My test version of RTM will expire in another 40 days and now I am confused on what the difference is between Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro. I can't even get Windows 8 RT for my Slate 500, is that correct? Will I have the same touch screen functionality on my Slate and all the Metro Apps with Windows 8 Pro? When I do my new Windows 8 install I want to get rid of the partition and do a clean install -OR- do I need to do an upgrade through the Windows 7 partition?

In the past, Activation Key Codes were linked to the type of media.  I don't mind the electronic copies, but would like at least one Genuine Win8 DVD.  If I buy one Win8 PRO upgrade DVD and then several of the download Win8PRO Upgrade versions, can I use all of the download version key codes with the DVD media, so I have a master hard copy disk with several Key Code licenses?

I have the same question as CRC Kenshin.  If I do the online upgrade for $40 and am able to burn a DVD will I be able to format the hard drive of my Windows 7 system and install Windows 8 on the now blank hard drive for a clean install?  As long as the system has a Windows 7 COA on it I think that I should not be restricted to not having the choice to do a clean install when upgrading from Windows7 to Windows 8.

@Bmaeharris - Windows 8 RT will only run on ARM processors and will not be available directly to the public and will only be preloaded on ARM based Windows RT devices.  Also Windows RT will not be able to run traditional Windows programs (x86 & x64).  Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro will run on Intel and AMD x86 and x64 processors and lower power processors like the Intel Atom processors.

Another question, if I have a desktop, laptop and a slate that all three are running Windows 7 and I want to upgrade all of the to Windows 8 via the $40 online upgrade offer will I have to download the upgrade file three times?  If I purchase three upgrades online could I just download the upgrade once and use the same install media to upgrade all three systems are is something encoded inside the download that like the product key?  

It would be helpful if the FAQ that you mentioned above be posted as soon as possible instead of waiting until Oct. 26 so that it would help people that are deciding on placing a pre order or wait until the online upgrade is available.

You can save $10 at newegg off any windows 8 product with this code:  EMCJNJH82  (you might have to be signed up for their newsletter/promotions, not sure)  

72 hours only.

I installed Win8 preview in a virtual machine on my Win7 desktop, and had problems almost from the beginning. Apps consistently crashed, and I wasn't able to fix it even though I posted on the support forum. None of the suggestions worked. I'm a bit apprehensive about installing Win8 over my Win7. Initially I wasn't comfortable with Win8, but the more I used it the more I liked it. If only I could get it to work.

Hi, Brandon.

Now,I use Win8 RP upgrade from Pre-install Win7, it works well.Should I reinstall Win7 for running Upgrade Assistant  to install the final version of Win8 ?

Brandon

Brandon LeBlanc has said that on line upgrade for $40 may be made from a PC using Release Preview and you "MAY" require to have a genuine original windows 7  key or other. Its not clear how or when this is entered. I have the original Windows 7 disks. I have made clean instals  to Release Preview' but also proceeded to instal the recent Windows 8 Pro 9200 over that and it works fine. Its life is limited to 180 days without the key. Can I now upgrade for $40 from this PC to Windows 8 Pro and my final key activation key? It would seem absurd to have to clean out the present Win8 Pro, then reload Release Preview  simply to get the final product.

Thanks for that insightful post!

First, i feared MS will actually break another glas with selecting very high prices (meaning much higher than 199 USD) - instead, you choosed a very nice (entry oriented) market pricing. Really guys: This may save your whole product, since W8 was not getting the best press prio to its release.

Having consumer-oriented prices around 100USD (which is quite fair for a software system that is used every day for hours) will give you much more momentum in deploying & rolling out to an even broader base than W7 (or the good ol XP)

Hopefully the server prices will be also in the "acceptable range" - then you may win, absolutely. Take care of that issue :-)

Regards,

Lelala

http://www.lelala.de

Please Release Subscription Based for lyk $10/6mo or lyk $15/year ... o smthn lyk dt ... please try to increase sales through the ideal of "Economies of Scale" . Not retrieve investment thru the few die hard fans f windows, by charging such ridiculous prices... !!! >:P

Will Windows 8 Pro be compatible with Mac Book Pro running Parallels 8 virtual machines?

Will Windows 8 run on Mac Book Pro with Parallels 8 virtual machines?

I should add Mac Book Pro running Mountain Lion, with Parallels 8 virtual machines.  I see there have been some issues upgrading from Windows 7 running on some virtual machine.

yah! I am going to book this. http://www.bankinfoonline.com/

I test a lot of software and occasionally my system gets junked up.  So I do clean installs regularly.  

If I understand this article correctly, it would make more sense for me to purchase the full OEM version (discs) so that I don't have to first reinstall Win7 each time.  That would waste a lot of time.

Does that sound right?

Question: I don't have my own copy of Windows 7 or any kind of windows OS. I am currently running the W8 preview. Before that I was using either linux or mac. Which version should I pre-order? Is the Windows 8 Professional ok? Also, does Windows 8 Professional have media center?

I have searched through many, many questions and have yet to find an answer to the question: Can I upgrade to the Win8 Pro $39.99 download version if I am currently using Win8 Release Preview?  I upgraded to the pre-release and release preview versions from Windows 7 Ultimate so I do have an original Win7 key.

Yes, as long as you have the original key for the Win7 ultimate you are good to go. The question is for those that do not have an original key!

On the Windows Store for buying Windows 8 Pro (www.microsoftstore.com/.../productID.257641900), it says about upgrading to Windows 8:  "If your PC is running Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium, your files, programs and settings will easily transfer to Windows 8. If your PC is running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, Windows XP or Windows Vista, you will need to reinstall your programs. Some features such as touch may require a new PC."

To be clear, the second quoted sentence seems to be saying that you will have to reinstall your programs if you upgrade from Windows 7 Professional to Windows 8 Pro.

That seems to contradict an article on TechNet, which says (technet.microsoft.com/.../jj203353.aspx) that you can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro and " keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications from [...] Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate". (I'm assuming that the Windows Store's "programs" are the same as the TechNet article's "applications".)

Please let me know what I have misunderstood.

Thanks

Praful

Nice to see that UK buyers will be stuffed and have to pay extra for the priv !   £50 otr $80 !

I read in a book by Paul Thurrott, Rafael Rivera, that there will be significant advantages to using the online install vs. DVD, in that Upgrade Advisor and Windows Easy Transfer, among at least one other utility are part of the install online process, but not on DVD. (It can be done manually, but nothing in the setup documentation even mentions the existence of these essential utiities) Is this a correct understanding? And if so, what other surprises might I be in for, since I am have been bitten before by not having done enough deep research into the process.

I have a recipt from Best Buy because I purchased a new desktop and got the $14.99 offer for Windows 8.  Does "Offers limited to five upgrade licenses per customer." mean that I can upgrade both of the computers in my home with Windows 8?  I have a laptop and a desktop that I would like to upgrade.  Is it also $14.99 per computer or for the license?

Is the locense only for one machine? I have two machines, so will I have to buy two licenses?

once i download my windows 8 pro will i be able to use it again,if anything goes wrong with my pc in the future.(how many times can i install)

I just upgraded my Windows 7 Premium Home with the Anytime Upgrade to Windows 7 Professional.

What should I use to upgrade to Windows 8, the DVD or a online purchased upgrade?

Hi, I went to Pre-order win8 but it does not specify if I want a 32 bit or 64bit OS. How will I know that I will get the 64bit. I want to order one 32bit and one 64bit.  Can anyone help me. thank you

I have a desktop and two net books   Can download 8 to a thumb drive and load 8 on all three?

I think until the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant (W8UA) is seen for REAL we are alll guessing quite a bit.

FOR ONLINE UPGRADE ONLY (£25 UK $40 US) :-

1. you really must have an existing INSTALLED license to do the upgrade; the W8UA cannot read your license key from a bit of paper; it will NOT ask you to type an existing key in; also very much doubt you will be able to upgrade from ANY W8 pre-release; that would be "giving it away" ;  that's not Microsoft.

2. if you have multiple computers to upgrade - a. select download ISO option and burn to USBstick or DVD  b. for each computer you want to upgrade run the setup from the USBstick/DVD

I like some others have both a laptop with Windows 7 64 bit and a desk top with Windows XP Pro SP3 32 bit. My question is can I update my desktop to a 64 bit system with the update version of Windows 8 Pro.

Also wondering about the full version... I'm planning on building a PC. Some information on the full version(not upgrade) would be greatly appreciated. There is conflicting information available on re-sellers websites and what is on this site. It's very unclear.

Hi Richard, I could answer so many of these questions but I'm quite busy.  Regarding upgrading seems to be the main thing here.  I've probably installed about 8 copies from regular  pro and enterprise.  upgrading, fresh installs and I know what will happen in all the cases that I was put in and what I've experienced. I am a developer, it tech onsite, and personal enthusiast who also builds pc's as well.  I can say this:  Anyone who installs OS's over and over and has been through the long haul knows no matter what that upgrading just will never ever work as well as a fresh install, period. That's something you can't argue.  Regarding building the pc, I recommend 8 pro.  I think you'll love it, or at least if you liked 7 you will like 8 because despite the obvious metro you can bypass that if you needed to and make it look like it was 7 if you weren't open at all to giving the new os a shot.  But you know I hated the metro at first, I did.  Now I've come to actually like it...I barely use it right now, but i'm gradually growing to use it more as more apps come along and it is growing on me.  The cloud OS integration (the most obvious thing about windows 8 there is about user accounts) is debatable but because of that you can choose not to use a Hotmail or live account that syncs all of your windows stuff.  However, I love it.   There's no question that 8 is better than 7 in functionality and you will run faster and better (apps, games, boot time) than 7 always no matter what.  It's just better.  It's been about two months of installing and using these OS's and i'd say you'd appreciate 8 the most with a fresh install (this includes the new pc builder, and this also includes people who are intending to upgrade).  Regarding upgrading.  It doesn't get much better than the way they designed the process.  However, if you're going to pay for the upgrade to find out that you're not able to have things the way you want you're going to be mad..    32 to 64 bit :   no.  You can't do it.  Simple answer.  windows 7 home premium (the most common I believe for people upgrading) will probably find they will be able to have probably the best upgrade there is because it will keep everything installed the way it is and the user accounts and data should remain.  It will tell you before you actually hit upgrade what you will lose (if anything) if you upgrade.  Most likely only one or two apps that don't even matter may not be able to be transferred...I've had great success with this upgrade.  However don't think you can fool yourself into believing that what is written isn't true by Microsoft.  I've upgraded and it wouldn't let me keep any programs that I installed (anything you install).  The only reason Microsoft says on the page that specific phrase is because if you upgrade from windows8 to say enterprise you will always keep the apps installed from the built-in (in the metro area) Microsoft store.   Regardless in these situations where it says you can't keep your programs installed in certain versions and you can in others,,,it's very true.  The upside?  If you do in fact still do that, it will tell you what programs it removed in a text file and in many cases has the location of where the application was downloaded encoded in a hyperlink so you can click it to goto the site where your application was created..even if it won't be able to bring it back to life.  And regarding the windows.old folder..that's something that will be created in an upgrade.  I personally wouldn't use it but if you search for information about it (on Microsoft's site...don't venture outside) you can find some ways to restore some information if you upgrade the way where you will not be able to keep the files you installed.  Hey hope this helps guys! ::)  - chris

When will be the promotions about FPP( full or upgrade version)?

I called to MS service before and they said it'll be and soon, but till today it's still nothing about that kind of promotion.

It only left two weeks before the launch date, on windowsupgradeoffer.com it still only have the "$14.99 USD ERP (U.S.) upgade with newly purchased Win7 PCs" promo.

So when will be it?

RE. questions about FULL version.  There won't be a full retail version of the OS; anyone wishing to purchase that will have to buy the OEM edition, which is $99 for Windows 8 and $139 for Windows 8 Pro.

I purchased XP for my computers and then purchased Win 7 Licensed 3-Pack for 3 computers.

So Do I have to purchase Win 8 for each computer I have now? I am up to 5 computers in the house, 3 of which are on the Value Pack of Windows 7. That would be $200 to get upgrades to each PC if they are all  compatible for Win8...

I'm confused on a friend's situation. She has an Acer laptop that had Vista and the hard drive crashed. She never created the restore disk but has an OEM license key for the laptop.. Acer says Microsoft no longer allows them to sell the Vista restore disks. And I installed a new hard drive. Can she upgrade without the restore disk?

Thanks Chris K for the information. I was hopping I could avoid some of the difficulties of switching from 32 to 64. I think your right the best way is to start clean. I hate the thought of loosing a lot of my data.

Re. W8 Upgrade. 5 upgrades are allowed per user.  Also, does anybody really think the W8 Upgrade Assistant will be able to read your OEM sticker or Vista box label?  No it won't.   The assistant will make its decision on what is installed when it runs.

Who knows, how 32/64-bit desktop apps wil work on Surface??? It's realy interesting to me.

@jery-jary   Win 32/64 bit desktop applications will not work on this version of the surface that is available for pre-order today.  It windows Windows RT,   wait for the surface with Windows 8 pro in Q1 2013,  probably Jan.

Will there be a windows 8 ultimate version?

@jery-jary  1st do not confuse windows 8 with the Surface RT product. even when the Surface RT runs windows 8 it is base on the ARM processor and the only way to get apps to it other than the ones it comes with is via de MS online market (same as for the windows phone). There is going to be an intel version of the Surface tablet.  This particular blog is for the Winfows 8 OS that will run on PCs.

Do you have any details on Windows 8 Ultimate or Enterprise. Specifically, I want to be able to use DirectAccess to access a 2012 Server. For some unknown reason, Microsoft only made that incredibly improtant feautre available to users of Win7 Ultimate or Enterprise but not Win 7 Pro which is unfortaunte since 90% of business machines ship with the Pro versiona nd not ultimate.

@Brandon Two questions about Windows 8 I need to know about. I also posted this on the other blog but posting it here as well...

1. I'm on Windows 7 Professional (x64) now. If I upgrade to Windows 8 Pro (x64) through the online download method, does it retain all my installed Windows 7 applications or am I forced to re-install all my applications?

2. Am I allowed to install a trial copy of Windows 8 on a machine and run it unactivated for 30 days like I can with Windows 7? Every once in a while I need to test an application separate from my production environment, and I need a temporary "disposable" copy of Windows. What I usually do is roll a Windows 7 trial VM for a couple days while I run the application, then toss it when I'm done, keeping my production copy of Windows in tact and "clean". Can I still do this under Windows 8?

FYI for those who read this: I DO NOT do this to "get out of paying" for Windows or any other stunts. I purchase my legally-licensed copies of Windows like everyone else. Every once in a while, I simply need to create a "disposable" test environment of Windows I can toss when I'm done so as not to mess up my production environment. The Windows 7 trial method makes this handy.

Thanks Brandon!

I installed windows 8 Release Preview and am wondering if I have to reinstall the older version of windows I have in order to get the discount rate when upgrade?

Re. Upgrading to W8 Pro from Release Preview.  I don't know how the Upgrade Assistant will do this (in some ways its more interesting than W8 itself!) but if you installed the Release Preview ON TOP OF AN EXISITING WINDOWS LICENSE the upgrade will be allowed.

Microsoft wording is " previous version of Windows that qualified on the PC already and installed Windows 8 Release Preview on top of it, you still qualify for the upgrade,"

Anybody that has installed the Preview ON TOP OF NOTHING and expects to be able to upgrade to W8Pro for 40 bucks is, I think, expecting a bit too much.

Should I change my 2year old machine to use w8? Till how old machine is available for w8? afraid of not using old LCD screen for touch screen tech in w8. it's so sad if it's true ha.

Should I pre-purchase Windows 8 for my P4, 1.2G, directx9, 250G storage?  I am currently running XP upgraded from Windows 2000.

can we upgrade from windows 8 release preview if we have a valid windows 7 serial number?

Right now on Amazon, you can preorder Windows 8 Pro for $69.00, and 30 days after your order ships, you will receive a $30.00 credit from Amazon.

If you shop with Amazon, it's a pretty sweet deal, getting the physical disc for the price of online download after the credit.

"can we upgrade from windows 8 release preview if we have a valid windows 7 serial number?"  The Upgrade Assistant cannot read serial numbers on licence stickers; W7 has to be installed.

Quick question:  Is there a difference between the number of PCs you can upgrade with the pre-ordered DVD vs the online upgrade?  I have one desktop and one laptop...

My computer is 64-bit, and my windows xp is 32-bit.

Will I be able to upgrade windows xp 32-bit to windows 8 64-bit?

I prefer Linux Ubuntu. Better than W8.

Linux Ubuntu is free! an better...

1. What about those who are already testing W8 / and whish to upgrade from XP?, 2. Which will be payment options?