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.
Microsoft will offer the deal to computer buyers in 131 markets, including the U.S. and Canada.
The announcement came as no surprise.
, news leaked of the deal when CNET, citing unnamed sources, said that the upgrade offer would launch in early summer, most likely around the time Microsoft delivered Windows 8 Release Preview. That sneak peak showed up on Microsoft's servers today.
Several days later, Windows blogger Paul Thurrott chimed in, saying Microsoft would .
The price is a break with tradition. In the run-up to both Vista in 2006 and , 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.
Microsoft promised that it would publish more information Friday about the Windows 8 offer, presumably including details such as how users will obtain the upgrade and when.
The company also again said it would roll out additional promotions in the coming months, hinting that it will repeat the 2009 pre-sales event where it sold Windows 7 upgrades for as much as .
Windows 8 does not yet have a set on-sale date. Although Steven Sinofsky, Microsoft's top Windows executive, said today that the OS is on track to , he did not reveal a specific date.
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at , on or subscribe to . His email address is .
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