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Microsoft starts $40 Windows 8 upgrade sales


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Some customers run into problems trying to buy, install and activate the new OS

Microsoft today opened its virtual store and began selling upgrades to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99, making good on a promise made last summer.

The upgrade, which must be downloaded and installed via a utility called "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant," can be applied to Windows XP-, Vista-, and Windows 7-powered systems.

Microsoft announced the upgrade in July, a bit more than a month after it issued the last of three public previews, but before it wrapped up its work on the new OS.

The upgrade does the most thorough job when migrating a machine from Windows 7, which is the only edition that conducts a "full" upgrade, the label for an upgrade that brings along everything, including data files, user accounts, Windows settings and installed applications.

Windows XP-to-Windows 8 upgrades are the least comprehensive, allowing customers to move only personal files; Vista transfers both Windows settings and personal files to Windows 8.

Although the $39.99 buys only the upgrade's 2GB digital download, users can optionally request a DVD for an additional $14.99. The combination is about $15 cheaper than the $69.99 DVD-in-a-box that Microsoft and retailers, including Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Amazon, are now selling.

Microsoft has said that customers who downloaded and installed the free "Windows 8 Release Preview" will be able to upgrade to the paid version of the OS, but that those running the free trial of Windows 8 Enterprise RTM, or "release to manufacturing," which debuted in August, cannot.

That was just one of the problems reported by customers.

In messages on Microsoft's support forum, several said they had been blocked from upgrading by a confusing error message. "Windows 8 isn't available for download," the message stated. "Sorry, Windows 8 isn't available for online purchase in the country/region you're in."

Computerworld ran into the same message when it tried to purchase the Windows 8 Pro upgrade from a virtual machine (VM) running an evaluation copy of Windows 8 Enterprise. The VM was located in the U.S., where the upgrade is currently available, and the attempt was made after Microsoft turned on the upgrade spigot.

Others, however, said that they had been thwarted from upgrading a Windows 7 PC with a legitimate license. "Quite frustrating seeing as many others are downloading it without a problem," noted someone identified as "_PhAzE_" on a support thread.

Additional complaints were lodged about the upgrade, ranging from machines that refused to download the file, payment problems, and invalid activation keys provided by Microsoft.

Customers can start the upgrade purchasing and installation process by heading to Microsoft's Web site and clicking the button "Download Pro for just $39.99."

Microsoft will sell the Windows 8 Pro upgrade at the discounted price until Jan. 31, 2013. It's not entirely clear what the price will be after the offer expires, but several online retailers selling the $69.99 boxed copy show that price as marked down from a regular price of $199.99.

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Customers can upgrade to Windows 8 from XP, Microsoft says, but only some personal files will survice the migration. Users can also select "Nothing" to do a "clean install" that scrubs the hard drive before installing the new OS.

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Yep, anyone can lie and say they bought a PC from June 2012 until now and get a promo code to get the upgrade for $14.99 AND you can even do a clean install with the upgrade key, because I did. Also got the Media Center add-on for free too. B)

$14.99 for Windows 8 Pro with Media Center's not too shabby if I say so myself!

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here are direct LEGIT links from msdn:

dl.msdnaa.undipcyber.us/software/Windows_8_Pro_EN-US_x64.ISOdl.msdnaa.undipcyber.us/software/Windows_8_Pro_EN-US_x86.ISO
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Yep, anyone can lie and say they bought a PC from June 2012 until now and get a promo code to get the upgrade for $14.99 AND you can even do a clean install with the upgrade key, because I did. Also got the Media Center add-on for free too. B)

$14.99 for Windows 8 Pro with Media Center's not too shabby if I say so myself!

It's not that simple, you need a valid Windows 7 serial to complete the procedure.

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no you dont..... i have already done it as have hundreds of others. you do not need to have a previous win 7 installed at all in fact. it just requires a simple registry edit to activate OR you can add the cfg file to the iso and it allows you to skip to lic key altogether during installation. and you add it later manually

install it and after install do this

1. open regedit

2. search this: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE

3. Change "MediaBootInstall" from "1" to "0"

4. open cmd with admin privilegies

5. tipe this: slmgr /rearm and hit enter

5. restart pc/laptop etc.

6. again open cmd with admin privilegies

7. then install your key with these commands:

7a. slmgr /ipk XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX and hit enter

7b. slmgr /ato and hit enter

this will activate it with the upgrade key without having prior install.

or as i said simply ad the ei.cfg to the iso prior to installing

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It's not that simple, you need a valid Windows 7 serial to complete the procedure.

dont think so.. i got the $14.99 promo code for my daz loader activated copy of windows 7 and I registered from a laptop that was purchased few months before june 2012...

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no you dont. i have got 10 keys already not one was from a win 7 key...all were bought for 15$

How? I tried, but it asked me for my Windows 7 key :s

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Try using internet exporer to register. I tried with firefox and had the same issue. Used IE9 and it didn't ask for any key.

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You don't need a legit Windows 7 key. I've seen people using Windows Loader was able to use Windows 8 Pro upgrade keys no problem.

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user@nsaneforums

no you dont. i have got 10 keys already not one was from a win 7 key...all were bought for 15$

How? I tried, but it asked me for my Windows 7 key :s

the same here

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no you dont. i have got 10 keys already not one was from a win 7 key...all were bought for 15$

How? I tried, but it asked me for my Windows 7 key :s

the same here

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Didnt you read my post!? Use Internet Explorer to fill in the form online. It wont ask for a key then.

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works fine in the usa most people are using a proxy like hidemyass or similar and saying it works. worked perfect for me without any issues. and is still working just checked.

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you can upgrade your win7 home to ultimate version to windows 8 pro...mine i daz loader ang it works fine...then i insert key for windows 8 pro then activate it. you can use the leaked or msdn installer (migration) that works fine..just click keep files, apps, etc

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Yes, it requires a genuine serial, there's no other way around it.

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Yes, it requires a genuine serial, there's no other way around it.

That's what I been trying to say, but some people claimed they didn't need one. Perhaps they changed the process recently.

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Yes, it requires a genuine serial, there's no other way around it.

That's what I been trying to say, but some people claimed they didn't need one. Perhaps they changed the process recently.

Just did it now with FIREFOX 16.0.2 and it worked without a key. Please note: If you use a VPN, sometimes the geo-location of the server is wrong/incorrect. Even though the server might be physically located in the U.S., the ISP may not. And as a result, it may think the server is actually located in the U.K. (or else where)

What I did:

1. Went to https://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/ and selected United States - English

2. Clicked Continue

3. Input a legit first name and last name

4. Used a legit gmail account and re-typed it to confirm email

5. Input a legit home telephone

6. Date of Purchase: October 28th, 2012

7. Name of Retailer: Sony

8. PC Brand: Sony

9. PC Model: VAIO 15.5" S Series

10. Wrote in the security check code below

11. Checked the box: "I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Statement. By registering for this offer, I agree to the program details described in the Program Information section."

12. Clicked Continue and then got this page:

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I'd send the promo code, but I'm planning on using it to upgrade a legit Sony Vaio I just ordered. Sorry. :D

Things you can try:

- Update your browser and/or plug-ins (Java, Flash, Active-X, etc.)

- Try validating Windows before registering: http://www.microsoft...nuine/validate/

- Switch to a VPN server that is geo-located within the U.S.

- Use a different brand manufacturer and/or retailer (for example: Best Buy - Dell XPS 13")

I'm still not sure why some users have to validate a Win 7 key and others don't. Try the above and see if it works.

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