Windows 7 upgrade details released?
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Feb 12th 2009 12:44PM
posted Feb 12th 2009 12:44PM
The kids over at Tech Arp got their hands on a draft of Microsoft's Windows 7 upgrade scheme. According to the the document, titled "The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev. 2.1," Vista machines purchased from participating vendors after July 1st will be eligible for an upgrade to the new OS, whenever it comes out -- in a similar manner to the XP - Vista switchover. The idea here is to forestall a sales slump in the lead up to the new OS release. Upgrades will be tier-for-tier, with Vista Home Premium users getting to switch up to Windows 7 Home Premium when the time is right, Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional, and Vista Ultimate users getting an upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate. Additionally, 32-bit to 64-bit upgrades will not be allowed -- but folks using the 32-bit version will get to perform a clean install of the 64-bit version, if that's what their heart desires. Lastly, a system that has a valid Vista license but is running XP under the downgrade scheme will be allowed to perform a fresh install of Windows 7. You got all that? Good.
Update: Responding to the leak, a Microsoft spokesperson delivered the following statement: "We are not announcing anything new at this time." That's what is known in the biz as the "non-announcing announcement." We'll let you know if anything changes.
[Via SlashGear]
Update: Responding to the leak, a Microsoft spokesperson delivered the following statement: "We are not announcing anything new at this time." That's what is known in the biz as the "non-announcing announcement." We'll let you know if anything changes.
[Via SlashGear]
confusing
Basically, if you buy Windows Vista right before the Windows 7 release, you get the upgrade for free. Or you get Windows 7 for the upgrade price... I think. You know what, this is confusing. Just get the Piratebay version.
If you buy a machine with Windows on it after July 1st, you get to upgrade to the related Windows 7 version of the same ISA flavor... wow, that sure was difficult.
Its even more confusing to me. So only OEMs are eligible for this upgrade program?
What about me? I purchased Vista Ultimate in retail, do I get a new Windows 7 Ultimate for free? Do I get one with a discount? Because I don't want both for the full price...
Still confusing. I downgraded to XP, but it was an older disk I've had since 2002, I think. So I have a valid Vista license, but I shredded the disk. Do I still qualify for an upgrade? That question is rhetorical of course, since I don't plan on buying Microsoft anything until they get their house in order and stop selling us stuff we should of had five years ago.
I feel everyone's pain though. No one should have to pay for this "upgrade", in any form.
Some answers:
a) Shredding the disc doesn't matter - you can download uncracked Vista ISOs from a variety of places; the CD key is what's important
b) It only applies to OEM computers - "machines purchased from participating vendors after July 1st"
c) If you bought a copy of Vista retail, then there may be another applicable offer but not this one.
The only ambiguity I see from this is whether it's 2009-07-01 or 2008-07-01; I would assume it's this July however.
This isn't that difficult people!
Any computer purchases before July 1st 2009 will not be eligible for the free W7 upgrade.
Any computer purchases (Vista or XP downgrade) after July 1st 2009 will be eligeible for the free W7 upgrade. These upgrades will match the Vista equivalent.
The problem with going from 32-bit to 64-bit or vise versa is the whole OS needs to be reinstalled. The two versions are coded differently so one cannot do a simple upgrade when going from the 32-bit version to the 64-bit version. It has to be a full install from scratch. But with the W7 free upgrade deal, it's possible to get the 'upgrade' from say Vista Home Premium 32-bit to W7 Home Premium 64-bit.
I am an OS X user so don't quote me on this part...
XP Home = Vista Home Basic = 7 Home Basic
XP Pro = Vista Home Premium = 7 Home Premium
If you were a Beta downloader and tester (like I was) and don't fall into the new computer purchase upgrade scheme, M$ won't be sending you a free copy.
@John
Yeah, but if I have to install Vista to get a free upgrade, just to write over Vista again, then it's no deal. Piratebay here I come. Although, Windows 7 is just warmed over Vista anyway, so I guess it really wouldn't matter, but sometimes you just got to stand up for your principles and not buy crap from companies that don't seem to learn their lesson.
So in other words, not too much of a choice here. The day Microsoft gets rid of WGA, build-in DRM, the registry, and the slowdowns, is the day I become a paying customer again. Maybe not even then. I've been using OS X and already have great software for it. If they had a few Valve games for the Mac, I might already be a full switcher, but of course, there is boot camp. I'm not too sure boot camp is going to work with the torrent version yet, but here's to hoping.
;)
"program eligibility will begin on July 1, 2009."
Dammit!
(Wasn't expecting 2008 anyways, when has a huge corporation ever been that generous?)
Yes Paul, we get it you dont like MS. Now go back to your cult, continue to be happy using OSX and quit bitching about things that obviously don't concern you.
Most of what you said was FUD but you can make an argument for the malfuctioning WGA. Like you I've heard people bitch about the registry before, why? I haven't had a registry issue since win95. How would you accomplish what the registry does in another way? Do you even know what it does or is it just a buzzword that macheads like to bash windows for?
@Brian
It's a bit more like:
XP Home = Vista Home Basic/Premium = Windows 7 Home Premium
XP Pro = Vista Business = Windows 7 Pro
Microsoft will neither market nor sell Windows 7 Home Basic to countries like the U.S. (they claim it's more for "emerging" markets, wherever those are).
@tcc3
Who said I hated Microsoft? Hate is very strong word. I'm more like a nagging wife and Microsoft is the husband who keeps leaving the toilet seat up... in my presence... while I'm sitting down... while he's talking on the cell phone and making comments about my large butt to my best frind... after saying he's going to divorce me for a younger woman.
As a fellow PC user, your comments hurt. Deeply.
so lame... I was hoping for a 1 size fits all os this time. :(
Ummm, this isn't really news, guys. This was actually announced quite a while ago, and it's consistent with programs Microsoft had in place with OEMs for both the XP and Vista introductions.
It gives OEMs the OPTION of offering a free upgrade for customers who purchase a new machine with Windows Vista after July 1, 2009. Period.
I think the only reason this item is getting the attention that it is, is because there's been some talk of Microsoft giving an upgrade away to ALL current Vista users. That is NOT what this is.
Does that make it less confusing?
Paul:
i sure didnt. The word hate doesn't appear in my post. Reading is fundamental.
Are you going to answer my question? Or is trolling the best you can do?
@tcc3
Wait a minute, slow down, friend. Why are you yelling? Let's discuss this thing calmly. I never said you "couldn't read." I just said, you know, you might want to take remedial reading classes. There's no harm in that. It happens to the best people.
If you aren't smart enough to understand how this program works then, yes, a Mac would be better option for you.
@ Paul
He's not your friend, buddy.
@Howl
He's not your buddy, guy!
You mean for free? Not very clear.
Why so self righteous? 99.9 percent of the people on this site right now have either pirated Windows at least once in their life OR are using a pirated version as we speak.
So in other words, don't hate the playa. Hate the game, my friend.
LOL, I went back in time and made that last comment. This flux capacitor I bought from Doc Brown is finally paying off.
@Shinigrami
I'm posting this from my MacBook Pro, so that would be impossible, as far as I know.
Nah, I'm just kidding, I'm on a sucky work computer.
My question is valid, because isn't any previous version of windows eligible for any upgrade? assuming the specs meet the requirements, unless they mean upgrade price. This is why I don't think it's clear.
To actually answer your question, unlike Paul's trolling, if you buy a computer (an actual, full sized computer from Dell, HP, or whoever) after July 1 of 2009, you will be able to go onto MS's website or use some part from the packaging to prove the date of purchase and receive an upgrade disk for Windows 7.
When is the piratebay version coming out? That's all I need to know.
STFU moron.
Somebody post his IP so we can steal his credit card accounts >:-)
And spend it all on Vista Starter Editions!
"32-bit to 64-bit upgrades will not be allowed
--
but folks using the 32-bit version will get to perform a clean install of the 64-bit version, if that's what their heart desires."
It's not allowed, yet they can do it if they want? Did I miss something?
The upgrade is not allowed, but you can perform a clean install.
Meaning, if you have 32-bit, you can't just click "Upgrade" like in the picture. You'll have to do a clean install of Windows 7 from a disc or other bootdrive.
You can't do an in-place upgrade from 32 to 64-bit. However, you can buy the 64-bit upgrade DVD and use it to perform a clean install.
The upgrade to 64 bit is actually a 64 bit program so it can't be run from within 32 bit windows vista.
Exact same thing as with XP and vista. XP 32 -> Vista 32 but XP 64 -> Vista 64.
For the sake of tech heads everywhere - everyone please go x64. You're living in the 20th century if you upgrade with Win7 x86. We need more x64 users out there to get developers to build better applications in x64 and take advantage of multi-core processing. So, don't take the easy road of installing an "upgrade" - backup your shit onto your usb drive and do a fresh install with x64 - you won't look back.
I don't understand this. But in any event, for the love of god just do a clean install!
how much?
Too much.
Wasn't this news a week or so ago?
Don't think it matters at that point I'm sure people will be screaming Windows 7 sucks I want Vista. And you'll have the others saying I still want to use XP until Microsoft gets it together. Then realizing that it was the user all along unwilling to take on a change.
I'm no Vista hater, but I can guarantee you no one will be doing that.
anyone who got suckered into buying ultmiate should get 7 for free.
Wait you think because someone decided to buy something they deserve windows 7 free, I'm sorry but if you feel cheated then your just an idiot for buying the product in the first place.
I bought Ultimate and I'm very glad I did but if they want to give me 7 for free I'll be happy to take it.
Anyone (like you) who thinks that Ultimate was about Extras is an idiot. People (like me) who bought Ultimate did so because it was the only way to get the all features of Home Premium and Business in one edition. When 7 comes out I will probably get the Professional Edition but I have no regrets about buying Vista Ultimate.
So what level does XP Professional correlate with?
there's a Windows 7 Professional version
@taylor yorly?
Argh, my reply was supposed to be to Ray above. Sorry.
What if I have a Vista Ultimate upgrade from Home Premium...do I still get to upgrade to 7 Ultimate for free (or whatever)?
@John Doe
No one gets shit for free right now. If you are already setup, you are already disqualified. Feb 12 < July 1
So what are the numbers? How much will it cost? That's what we really want to know.
What about upgrades from the beta? Will that be possible? Or will you have to do a clean install?
nope, not possible. The official release OS will be different than the Beta, as bugs will be fixed (hopefully) and new features added and such, so you will need to wipe the HDD and do a fresh install if you have the Beta.
I think that letting people running xp, with a vista license upgade is a very very good idea
so can u upgrade from visa 64 to win 7 64 without a clean install?
I believe that is true.
No, just a clean install of MasterCard
Why would anyone purchase a new comp before July 1st, if they don't need to before then?
I predict a slump of vista sales until July 1st and then it will shoot up.
Hope it were July 1st, 2008.
John Doe; I was pulling a piece of data I found here: http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/02/12/microsoft-to-offer-free-windows-7-upgrade-for-vista-computers-purchased-after-july-1/
[upgrade to Win7] "Good on new PCs with Vista pre-installed purchased after July 1, 2009."
Thus the reason for my July 1st date.
I had that same question, but in all honesty a lot of sales happen during the summer, so I think that people looking for a cheap computer will not care about the upgrade (because , unlike most engadget users, most people do not care as much as you would hope) and therefore just go for the sale.
I think this is a really smart move since A LOT of computer are bought during the end of summer, because of all the students going to college. Therefore more people may be interested in buying those computers knowing they can upgrade. I could be terribly wrong though.
Off the topic (kind of) but...
Whats the fuss about several Windows 7 editions? Does anyone even recall having several versions of Windows altogether? Starting with...XP Home and Professional along with Windows Server 2000 (NT or whatever). Microsoft has brought it all under one name...Vista or 7. Yeah...I agree there are way too many versions of 7...but these are to accommodate those Server editions we used to have separately.
But...these are of course confusing.
The Windows Server products are still separate and have several iterations of their own.
Ok. Then...will they exist after 7 is released? Because, if they do, then 7 versions like Enterprise wont make any sense at all.
There's 6 version of Windows 7 and you will only really see 2 at your local Bestbuy.
Starter won't be retail.
Home Basic is for emerging markets.
Enterprise is only for volume licensing.
Ultimate will be sold in limited quantities.
You can also get Windows Server 2008 and Windows Home Server.
there's gonna be a PC slump now until July 1st...watch
Cool information to know.
However I'm dumb are these upgrades free? Like I have Vista Home Premium on my brand new laptop from last year October. I'm running the beta of Windows 7 on my laptops second hard drive. When Windowx 7 is officially released does this mean I get it for FREE or do I have to pay some type of upgrade fee? And if that's the case will it be as expensive as if I went out and bought a copy of Win 7 myself?
I wish there was a way to upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate....
the upgrade program only applies after 2009-07-01. Presumably, you'll be able to pay to upgrade from Vista to 7, but you won't qualify for any freebies.
It 64-bit worth it... will games and other programs work with 64-bit? What are the advantage of 64-bit over 32-bit?
Speed. And yes, games work.... at least all the one's I've tried do (Starcraft, Fallout 3, Fable, Bioshock, Assassin's Creed, and others)
The 64 bit version is basically future proofed, and it lets you use more RAM and makes you vulnerable to less spyware. I've used 64 bit Vista and Server 2008 on several machines and never had an issue running most software on them, though to be honest I haven't really tried any games. You can still install x86 based programs (it creates two program files directories - one called "Program Files" and the other called "Program Files (x86)", but you can have some 3rd party driver issues.
hmm. Perhaps you have been in a cave? 64 bit Vista works with everything 32 bit Vista works with. The only caveat I have found is Adobe products. They seem to be viserally opposed to writing new (or fixing existing) code against MS's newer platforms. Goodbye Adobe if that is the case.
I ran Vista 64bit and now Win7 64bit, almost everything has worked for me.
A few 3rd party drivers dont work, for example peer guardian, who cant afford the driver signing fee.
90% of new hardware should have 64bit drivers, it just takes a bit of searching for some things, also don't expect your crappy £10 web cam to work all the time, but win7 has been very good at finding drivers, and remember vista64 drivers will work fine.
CS4 is compatible with 64-bit
if nothing else, it lets you have more RAM in your pc which helps - 64 bit Vista and Windows 7 seem fine for pretty much anything i throw at them
meh
Can someone clarify this.
It says You can only upgrade from Vista to the equivalent 7 version.....is that only in the technical sense, or also the licensing sense?
Obviously, I can't buy 7 Pro and directly upgrade from Vista Home, but can I still get the upgrade version of Pro and clean install (which I was planning anyway) or would I have to buy the full version.
Does an upgrade wipe out all of my memory like a clean install would or is it similar to upgrading a version of a program and all settings, files and music remain the same? just got a new computer and not sure if I should upgrade now to win 7 beta in order to avoid having to wipe out my computer later when it bcomes official. I prefer not to be a beta user...
That is strictly in the LICENSING sense, for this program.
The only way to take advantage of this offer is to buy a NEW system after July 1, with Vista installed on it. Say, Home Premium.
Now, maybe you decide you want to actually have Windows 7 Professional (which will have features pretty close to the current Vista Ultimate, btw). Here's the way that will work:
You recieve your upgrade from your OEM, and take your Vista Home Premium machine to Win7 Home Premium. Then, you can perform an in-place upgrade (without the DVD!) to Pro. After purchasing the appropriate unlock code, of course.
To those that are asking about upgrading from W7 Beta
People that are currently running W7 Beta will be out of luck for any upgrade option. It is a BETA not a full operating system meant to be used like Vista (In MS's eyes any way). You will have to either purchase W7 full out retail, or if your dual booting from Vista or XP like most of us, you will have to pay for the upgrade option via your stable Windows operating system.(free if that stable system is purchases after the July date, NOT free if it was purchased before...or like any thing you have now)
So is this only for people who got Vista with a prefab PC? What if I purchased Vista Premium OEM separately and installed it on my PC?
I was really hoping of upgrading to x64 but I don't want to have to go through the hassle of reinstalling everything I have again with doing a clean install.
The hassle is worth it. You tend to junk up your computer with little programs, the registry is probably swiss cheese and your desktop is cluttered. If, however, you have a fairly clean desktop and few applications, then it won't be a hassle. Either way, the x64 is worth it in many ways - faster, more memory. Having Win 7 x86 is like driving a Smart Car on the Autobahn - sure it works and gets you from point A to point B, but you're not really tapping in the potential of the infrastructure.
That is, unless you're running an old computer.
I have a high end setup. It's just that I don't feel like wasting a whole day re-installing all of my apps. I don't know maybe when it comes out I'll change my mind. I really do want to go x64, I guess I should have done it with Vista.
No matter when this "Windows 7" comes out, or who gets a free upgrade. We can all be sure of one thing, its gonna be a nightmare.
Is Paul A.Chapel the most hated individual in the history of the internet?
No, unfortunately.
He has to be second to Chris Crocker. I mean, how can you not hate Chris?
Windows 7 = Windows Vista SP2 that you have to pay for.
No one is forcing you to buy it.
In fact, no one has even forced anyone to buy XP.
I mean Vista.
is there a list of the "vendors" that this will apply to as i am planning to buy a new laptop with vista installed on it so was wondering if there is any point in waiting?
All I'm curious about at this point is how long before it finds its way onto the Microsoft Academic Alliance. I'm graduating this spring but I think we stay enrolled for awhile afterwards. It'd be nice to be able to snag a cheap or free copy of the license instead of paying full retail.