Windows 8 Upgrade Available

Microsoft said on Thursday that it would kick off a Windows 8 upgrade program on Saturday, June 2, giving buyers of new Windows 7 PCs the chance to grab a copy of the not-yet-released operating system for $15. The upgrade program will run from June 2, 2012, to Jan. 31, 2013. People who buy a new computer with any version of Windows 7 installed during that period will be able to purchase Windows 8 Pro, the higher-priced of the two global retail editions, for $14.99. The upgrade to Pro will be fulfilled after the official launch of Windows 8.

The price is a break with tradition. In the run-up to both Vista in 2006 and Windows 7 in 2009, Microsoft and computer makers provided upgrades for either no cost or for a small fee. Details varied because the computer manufacturers, known as OEMs, delivered the upgrade. Those deals were limited to corresponding editions: In other words, someone buying a PC running Windows Vista Home Premium could upgrade only to Windows 7 Home Premium. This is the first time that Microsoft has offered a higher-level version to fulfill the upgrade.