Microsoft to offer downloadable Vista option

It sure waited 'till the last minute to announce it, but it looks like that in addition the to multitude of Vista variations it's busting out at the end of the month, Microsoft's also going to be making the OS available in more than one method of distribution, announcing today that the whole shebang will be available for download online (no, not like that). If that's not enough to push your bandwidth (and patience) to the limit, Microsoft's going to making the complete Office 2007 lineup available for purchase and download at the same time as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that you'll be getting any discount for your downloading trouble, and only those in North America will be able to snag the disc-less versions. In related news, Microsoft's also confirmed a few more details on the upgrade options for people that purchase one version of Vista and later find themselves craving a beefier version of the OS. Using the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" feature in Vista, users will be able to click their way from Home Basic to Home Premium for $79, Business to Ultimate for $139, Home Premium to Ultimate for $159, and all the way from Home Basic to Ultimate for $199. Those springing for the top end Ultimate edition will also be getting a bit of break from Microsoft, with the company revealing plans for a promotion that'll let you grab two copies of the Home Premium edition to go along with it for fifty bucks apiece.

[Via TG Daily]

[disciple83 @ Jan 18th 2007 5:18PM]

could you not partition the drive to store the unzipped ISO and then specify the drive during setup when asked for a location? I have done that before on XP installs. I am unfamiliar with Vista, I am anxiously awaiting home premium to begin my own legit journey into computing.

[Joseph @ Jan 18th 2007 4:33PM]

..and still charge $300.

[Chad @ Jan 18th 2007 4:34PM]

I watched those Microsoft Live presentations that Engadget linked to a while ago and won a free copy of Vista Business which I was happy about but since I'd prefer Ultimate, it's nice to know I get a discount if I want to upgrade.

[Christian Martin @ Jan 18th 2007 6:37PM]

Same here, Chad; I have yet to receive it but I'm waiting to do the exact same. Hopefully outr keys aren't locked from this since it is technically a gift (for all we know we could actually be receiving a volume-licensed key).

[Jonathan Keim @ Jan 18th 2007 4:34PM]

I think this is great if it's hard to get a copy of vista. But I would hate to deal with customer service in getting a download everytime I reformat

[Matt @ Jan 18th 2007 4:45PM]

ISO and Product Key.






Correct me if I'm wrong but you can't install it from the hard drive. Especially if you reformat it.

[Mark Deab @ Jan 18th 2007 5:31PM]

u burn it 2 dvd

[mWm @ Jan 18th 2007 4:55PM]

I just downloaded Windows Vista Business version for free from MSDN Academic Alliance from my university IST Portugal ;)

6.6 Gb dvd version or 5 cd version are available.

[fsx @ Jan 18th 2007 5:46PM]

ó mike, kek andas práki a fazer? xD

[Jay T @ Jan 19th 2007 1:02AM]

Can you please give me the steps so I can get that download as well?

[The German @ Jan 18th 2007 4:58PM]

@Matt
they do make DVD Burners

[Joseph @ Jan 18th 2007 5:22PM]

seriously guys, isnt alcohol 120% or wahtever its called perfect for that?

[tv @ Jan 18th 2007 5:32PM]

The sweet deal would be (and it could be already) is that they don't go the Apple route and let you download only once, but as many times as necessary.

[GioNYC @ Jan 18th 2007 5:35PM]

Just wait and get Vista Pro

[Obvious @ Jan 18th 2007 5:54PM]

I can tell you from first-hand experience that the developers behind Marketplace and the Digital Locker Assistant are ecstatic because of this news. I know I am. :)

[suntiger @ Jan 18th 2007 6:52PM]

My question is, why does it cost more to upgrade to Vista Ultimate than the differential between Business and Ultimate ($100 vs $139)? I got the PowerTogether offer too, but now I'm wondering if I'll upgrade at all, given that and the EULA thing.

We do get full retail licence keys,

[Enter Name Here @ Jan 18th 2007 7:23PM]

Really? You guys got your Power Together offers? I signed up, went through the rigamarole, but haven't received anything yet... You actually have your copies in hand?

[Chris @ Jan 18th 2007 7:35PM]

Probabbly a few registry changes. Cant wait til hackers do there thing.

[Bad Beaver @ Jan 18th 2007 7:44PM]

Gee, that will be so much fun! I mean, I don't use Windows, but I hear people (especially the non-geeks) reinstall it a lot. Those are also the people who tell you they reinstalled OS X for some reason once they switch, and then you take them out for coffee and carefully prepare them for the enlightenment that what they did was most likely not really necessary, and you should see their eyes light up with joy, and there's butterflies and... But anyway, buying Windows, and NO DISC? *rotflol* So when you have to reinstall you will have to phone M$ (your box is dead, remember?), tell them the endless ID-key you stored in a safe place that is not located on your now dead box, and should the person at the other end be able to operate your preferred language as well as the registered (yes, you did) customers database correctly while not loosing any digits from the aforementioned key, you might be allowed to... umm... ah, right, your box is dead, you cannot go online and grab another download, but maybe, just maybe you have a recent system backup that the procedure will allow you to install, or, even less likely, M$ will allow you to burn a copy of your download to DVD, and if you still have that DVD, and it is still functional (since you're not some cheap Joe buying cheezy DVD-Rs, right?)... you see, it will be *so* *much* *fun*.

[Tom @ Jan 18th 2007 8:20PM]

Hahahaha, you're really funny...

Kidding. Anyone who does the discless purchase will know what to do - via burning it to a (+backup) DVD, coping all purchasing info down on paper, etc. Do you even know what an ISO is? How about a computer? Nod your head if you do...

Also, there is a need to reformat Macs - otherwise you wouldn't find so many tutorials online about doing so. Your precious Mac is simply a computer, and is vulnerable to regular system maintenance. My lab's G5s get formatted twice a year. Bad Beaver - Another example of the world's most annoying fanbase: Apple.

[Enter Name Here @ Jan 18th 2007 7:56PM]

Thanks for the enlightenment, "Bad Beaver". You're insightful reminded me why I stopped reading comments in forums.

[Enter Name Here @ Jan 18th 2007 7:57PM]

*edit* Your insightful comment reminded me why I stopped reading comments.

[LG @ Jan 18th 2007 8:21PM]

Eh...It's called TechNet...

I already have me some Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate (and Exchange, MSQL, 2003, XP SP2...) through Technet.

[Rick @ Jan 18th 2007 8:33PM]

uggghh... will just wait for the official free release on alt.binaries

[Rick @ Jan 18th 2007 8:38PM]

I really don't understand why you all donate to M$. You realize 75% of that money goes to "educate" young Afrikaneers (sp?!) the evils of being gay and mormon, right??

[Rick @ Jan 18th 2007 8:40PM]

or it goes to funding Zimbabwe wuth DOS 5.1 on 386 pc's.

[CaptCaveman @ Jan 18th 2007 9:34PM]

I'm thinking it may be cheaper to just get a Technet subscription. They are offering the full retail version on Technet with a 10 machine license. I forgot off hand how much the TN sub is. But it was less then buying a retail copy of Vista Ultimate.

Also I should have the Home Premium version coming to me soon via an upgrade offer. I wonder if I will be able to upgrade that to the Ultimate version? And will I have trouble when I upgrade my computer in the future?

[Murc @ Jan 18th 2007 9:47PM]

I'm debating Home Premium, and Ultimate....Which do you guys think is better?

[Bad Beaver @ Jan 19th 2007 2:35AM]

Hehehe, your sense of humor is truly inspiring. Just kidding. Actually, I am quite sure M$ will allow you to burn your backup. And now smile. Come on, try it. It helps.

[spaceman @ Jan 19th 2007 4:32AM]

I would like to know how much it costs to go from 32-bit to 64-bit?

I wonder because I'm getting the vista express upgrade, but it's only the 32-bit version since MCE2005 came with the notebook. But since it's a 64-bit notebook, I would like to get the full power from the machine.

[Quentin @ Jan 19th 2007 6:53AM]

Downloading the program sounds quite fine and dandy, but I like having the physical disc with all the documentation, etc. Besides, if you're making it out of an ISO, the copy won't be as reliable as a pressed copy of Vista. Sure, you can use better media, but many folks probably have sub-par media to deal with.

[keith waddington @ Jan 19th 2007 6:58AM]

The reason some people reinstall os X is because they are new to Mac and listen to their "expert" Windows friends.

The reason windows fans are so annoying is because they think they are experts.

keep smiling.

Oh, and Vista is looking really good. Oh damn there was a pop-up demanding if I really want to change the time on the clock. Oh damn a security alert wouldn't let me.

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[Stephan @ Jan 19th 2007 12:00PM]

Ok can someone enlighten me on how exactly technet works. From what I see a one year subscription costs $349 for a direct user and $499 for a single user. The person gets 10 licenses to install in 10 different machines. So would I be able to get 9 of my best friends and install Vista for $35/$50 per person?

If I do not renew my subscription does the license expire. I went to the site just would rather be lazy and get a quick answer here.

Thanks!

[damncrackmonkey @ Jan 24th 2007 3:00AM]

So, $349 a year gets you the direct license, which is "appropriate for individuals who need the technical content and resources of a TechNet Plus Subscription available online and downloadable, just for themselves." Even the $999 server license is for one machine.

What do you get for this?
"TechNet Plus helps IT Professionals prepare for critical issues and plan for future deployments by providing them with immediate access to the latest software for evaluation and beta releases."

By the way, "software is licensed for evaluation purposes only."

That seems like a lot of money for beta software to me, but to each his own I guess.

(All quotes are from pages within 2 clicks of the TechNet main page)