14 DAY TRIAL // Users currently running a pre-release version of Windows 8 are be able to upgrade to the official flavor of the operating system once it is made official, Microsoft has confirmed.
However, they would still need to have a valid license for one of the previous versions of the operating system in order to purchase the new platform release.
Earlier this week, Microsoft confirmed that upgrades to Windows 8 Pro would be available for all users of Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP platforms.
Moreover, the company announced that, for a limited period of time, users would be able to upgrade to the new platform for only $40, straight from Windows.com.
Apparently, Microsoft will make the Windows 8 Pro upgrades available for the users of Windows 8 Release Preview only, but the upgrade path won’t keep anything else than personal data files.
This is the same upgrade path that will be available for Windows XP users. Basically, all applications and system settings will be lost in the process.
What Microsoft did not specify was whether users who currently run Windows 8 Developer Preview or Consumer Preview releases would be able to upgrade to the final flavor, Computerworld reports.
The upgrade offer is available for users in 131 countries around the world, Microsoft announced, confirming that the platform would be released in 37 languages.
“The Windows Upgrade Offer is supported in 131 countries which are listed in the markets and other info section (on the Windows Upgrade Offer website),” the Redmond-based company announced.
“If you live outside these countries, while we do not have any specific details about other offers, we expect that many retailers will offer other promotions when Windows 8 launches.”
As mentioned above, the $40 upgrade offer was announced for those users who will perform the process through the Windows.com website.
However, people will also have the option to purchase the Windows 8 Pro platform on a DVD, but they will have to pay $70 for it.