Windows 7 Upgrade Option Web Page: Come Back Tomorrow
Official word from Microsoft so far is that it will allow customers to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, but the Redmond-based company has yet to provide any clear details into how its Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program will work and when it will kick off. To add fuel to our curiosity, the Windows 7 Upgrade Option site is now live and it displays a teasing announcement: “Thank you for your interest. Please return to this site on June 26, 2009.” That would be tomorrow.
The June 26th date also appeared in a leaked BestBuy memo which talked about a technology guarantee program that would allow users to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 for a price. According to the leaked memo the program will debut on the 26th of June and last until July 11th and upgrading from Vista Home Premium and Vista Business to Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional will set you back $49.99 and $99.99. The memo also indicated that customers who get a PC preloaded with Vista will have the option to upgrade to Windows 7 for free (qualifying Vista versions only).
Speaking of free Vista to Windows 7 upgrades, we have info regarding this topic also. To be more precise, info has come to light into how Microsoft will allow OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to provide customers a free Windows 7 upgrade. The whole process will go something like this:
- The PC manufacturer purchases a qualifying Windows Vista Upgrade Option SKU the Authorized Microsoft Distributor. This means the OEM has to purchase either Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate and alongside the operating system it must have an Upgrade Option offer form.
- This qualifying Vista OS will be installed on the manufacturer’s PC.
- The PC, with the qualifying OS preinstalled will be sold during an eligibility period. The customer will receive the PC, the qualifying OS and the Upgrade Option offer form which he will use to order a Windows 7 upgrade at no additional cost.
- The customer will get the Windows 7 upgrade once the operating system is released.
All the info we have so far comes from unofficial sources – it does not mean that it is untrue, it just means that we should take it with a grain of salt. The only official statement from Microsoft is the one we’ve seen when the company announced the official release date of Windows 7: “Some people may not be able to wait for Windows 7 to arrive before having to order a new PC (like parents who are sending their sons or daughters off to school who need of a PC to take with them). Fortunately, there is no need to wait. Soon, customers will be able to take advantage of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program. This program enables participating retailers and OEMs to offer a special deal to upgrade to Windows 7 for customers purchasing a qualifying P,” explained Windows Communications Manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, Brandon LeBlanc, at the time.
The June 26th date also appeared in a leaked BestBuy memo which talked about a technology guarantee program that would allow users to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 for a price. According to the leaked memo the program will debut on the 26th of June and last until July 11th and upgrading from Vista Home Premium and Vista Business to Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional will set you back $49.99 and $99.99. The memo also indicated that customers who get a PC preloaded with Vista will have the option to upgrade to Windows 7 for free (qualifying Vista versions only).
Speaking of free Vista to Windows 7 upgrades, we have info regarding this topic also. To be more precise, info has come to light into how Microsoft will allow OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to provide customers a free Windows 7 upgrade. The whole process will go something like this:
- The PC manufacturer purchases a qualifying Windows Vista Upgrade Option SKU the Authorized Microsoft Distributor. This means the OEM has to purchase either Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate and alongside the operating system it must have an Upgrade Option offer form.
- This qualifying Vista OS will be installed on the manufacturer’s PC.
- The PC, with the qualifying OS preinstalled will be sold during an eligibility period. The customer will receive the PC, the qualifying OS and the Upgrade Option offer form which he will use to order a Windows 7 upgrade at no additional cost.
- The customer will get the Windows 7 upgrade once the operating system is released.
All the info we have so far comes from unofficial sources – it does not mean that it is untrue, it just means that we should take it with a grain of salt. The only official statement from Microsoft is the one we’ve seen when the company announced the official release date of Windows 7: “Some people may not be able to wait for Windows 7 to arrive before having to order a new PC (like parents who are sending their sons or daughters off to school who need of a PC to take with them). Fortunately, there is no need to wait. Soon, customers will be able to take advantage of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program. This program enables participating retailers and OEMs to offer a special deal to upgrade to Windows 7 for customers purchasing a qualifying P,” explained Windows Communications Manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, Brandon LeBlanc, at the time.
