No Windows 8.1 Upgrade for XP, Vista Users
Microsoft will not offer a convenient upgrade option to XP and Vista users. If you want to use Windows 8.1, you’ll have to perform a fresh installation – you cannot upgrade and bring along all your files in the process.
Windows 8.1 will be offered as a free update to existing Windows 8 users and as a paid upgrade for Windows 7 users. Windows 8 users will get to keep all their applications and files when they move to the new Windows 8.1 operating system. Windows 7 users will get to keep their files, but not their applications. They will have to reinstall all their applications once they’re done upgrading.
Things then look good for Windows 8 and Windows 7 users – not so much for Windows XP and Windows Vista users. Microsoft brought them down by making two announcements.
First up, Microsoft said via Brandon LeBlanc that “Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista.” That’s a statement that makes sense only if the PC cannot meet Windows 8.1’s system requirements. Then again, if you’re going to get a powerful and modern OS, it’s not a bad idea to get a powerful modern PC to go along with that OS. I for one wouldn’t install 8.1 on an old PC that’s still running XP. I have such a PC at home and I would much rather get a new PC than try to install 8.1 on it.
Moving on, Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc also said that you cannot upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 8.1 like Windows 7 users can. What you can do is get the Windows 8.1 retail DVD and perform a fresh installation. This means that you will lose all your applications and, unless you backup, you will also lose all your files.
Windows 8.1 will cost $119.99 ERP and Windows 8.1 Pro will cost $199.99 ERP, explained Microsoft.
If you go get a Windows 8-powered device, when 8.1 will hit general availability, you’ll be able to upgrade to 8.1 for free and to 8.1 Pro for $99.99.
Windows 8.1 will be offered as a free update to existing Windows 8 users and as a paid upgrade for Windows 7 users. Windows 8 users will get to keep all their applications and files when they move to the new Windows 8.1 operating system. Windows 7 users will get to keep their files, but not their applications. They will have to reinstall all their applications once they’re done upgrading.
Things then look good for Windows 8 and Windows 7 users – not so much for Windows XP and Windows Vista users. Microsoft brought them down by making two announcements.
First up, Microsoft said via Brandon LeBlanc that “Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista.” That’s a statement that makes sense only if the PC cannot meet Windows 8.1’s system requirements. Then again, if you’re going to get a powerful and modern OS, it’s not a bad idea to get a powerful modern PC to go along with that OS. I for one wouldn’t install 8.1 on an old PC that’s still running XP. I have such a PC at home and I would much rather get a new PC than try to install 8.1 on it.
Moving on, Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc also said that you cannot upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 8.1 like Windows 7 users can. What you can do is get the Windows 8.1 retail DVD and perform a fresh installation. This means that you will lose all your applications and, unless you backup, you will also lose all your files.
Windows 8.1 will cost $119.99 ERP and Windows 8.1 Pro will cost $199.99 ERP, explained Microsoft.
If you go get a Windows 8-powered device, when 8.1 will hit general availability, you’ll be able to upgrade to 8.1 for free and to 8.1 Pro for $99.99.
