Sounds like a good price, and it needs to be with all the negativity surrounding the release of win 8, from desktop users at least. I still think i will be sticking with win 7 though for now.

Sure got a windows xp license sticker somewhere, might be worth it.

Do you think this would work,with an OEM laptop license??

how do you think the upgrade offer will work with the win 7 family pack, its basically one license for 3 machines? not that I'm intending on upgrading but I would like to be aware of my options.

Clydonian
how do you think the upgrade offer will work with the win 7 family pack, its basically one license for 3 machines? not that I'm intending on upgrading but I would like to be aware of my options.

I believe it was mentioned before that people with family packs will need to update separately, so need to have 3 payments, one for each PC.
Mentioned here.

'each PC you have installed Windows 7 on via the Windows 7 Family Pack can be upgraded one at a time with the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant for $39.99.' I doubt it will differ that much for the UK market.

I'm still waiting on the system builder price. If it is reasonable, I'm interested. If it is close to Win7 pricing (e.g. no preorder offer), I may stick with the tried and tested…

I'mma see if this works with my Scan bought OEM license.

Can I create an iso and install from scratch?

I still can't see why I'd upgrade from Win 7 to this but I will buy an upgrade key just in case. Crazy not to for this price!

Will stick with Win7. Win8 is not at all appealing to me. Looks more like Win7 SP2

Percy1983
Sure got a windows xp license sticker somewhere, might be worth it.

Good idea, might give it a shot. If you have a 32bit copy of xp can you upgrade to 64bit win 8.

How does this work my own self built Windows 7 system? Will I be eligible for an upgrade?

The pricing is very good (especially for MS)! However, as a Windows 7 64-bit Desktop user I can't see any must have reason to ‘upgrade’. I tried and got rid of a desktop touch screen as I found it impractical (they are great on tablets). I think the new ‘ModernUI’ look is horrible, and as I only have one PC with one a <7Mb Internet connection so I just can't get excited about Windows 8… There just doesn't seem to be enough to justify paying for it?!

This seems to be the big problem with Windows 8… it lacks a killer feature. Touch screens are not popular with desktop users, the user interface while tweaked is nothing revolutionary. It offers virtually nothing over Windows 7, and most people (and companies) I know are more than happy with Windows 7 (some even with XP), as it does what they need it to do. Most UK companies turn off all the bells and whistles anyway! Home users don't get anything new to rave about… so it's a tiny bit faster here and there, but so what?! It doesn't boost your gaming speed or skill by 400%, it doesn't make your programs load 3 hours faster, and it doesn't do the washing up!

Windows 8 is more like an update to Windows 7 as far as Desktop Users are concerned, and as such would need to be virtually free to attract consumers! To me going from Windows 7 x64 Pro to Windows 8 x64 Pro is worth about £10 at most!

So I will be sticking with Windows 7 for the foreseeable future.

I still stick by my prediction:

1.0 + 2.0 + 3.0 = 3.1

95 + 95SR + 98 = 98SE

WinMe + 2000 = XP

Vista + Sever + Home Server = 7

8 + 9 = Windows™

Have I got it right? Only time will tell…

tickleonthetum
The pricing is very good (especially for MS)! However, as a Windows 7 64-bit Desktop user I can't see any must have reason to ‘upgrade’. I tried and got rid of a desktop touch screen as I found it impractical (they are great on tablets). I think the new ‘ModernUI’ look is horrible, and as I only have one PC with one a <7Mb Internet connection so I just can't get excited about Windows 8… There just doesn't seem to be enough to justify paying for it?!

This seems to be the big problem with Windows 8… it lacks a killer feature. Touch screens are not popular with desktop users, the user interface while tweaked is nothing revolutionary. It offers virtually nothing over Windows 7, and most people (and companies) I know are more than happy with Windows 7 (some even with XP), as it does what they need it to do. Most UK companies turn off all the bells and whistles anyway! Home users don't get anything new to rave about… so it's a tiny bit faster here and there, but so what?! It doesn't boost your gaming speed or skill by 400%, it doesn't make your programs load 3 hours faster, and it doesn't do the washing up!

Windows 8 is more like an update to Windows 7 as far as Desktop Users are concerned, and as such would need to be virtually free to attract consumers! To me going from Windows 7 x64 Pro to Windows 8 x64 Pro is worth about £10 at most!

So I will be sticking with Windows 7 for the foreseeable future.

I still stick by my prediction:

1.0 + 2.0 + 3.0 = 3.1

95 + 95SR + 98 = 98SE

WinMe + 2000 = XP

Vista + Sever + Home Server = 7

8 + 9 = Windows™

Have I got it right? Only time will tell…

Just so you know it is £15, £5 more than that.

I will be needing an o/s in the new year when I finally build my mid range gaming pc. would win 7 be a better choice for me.

If it's only £15 to upgrade from 7-8 then why not before it goes up.

I'll tell you what. I'll hand over £15 when you hand back a normal desktop with a start menu. Deal?

Would I be able to use the ‘Windows 8 upgrade edition’ to upgrade my Windows 7 which was also an upgrade edition originally upgraded from Vista? Sorry for all the upgrade words! I'm assuming no but I thought its worth asking.

Guppy
Would I be able to use the ‘Windows 8 upgrade edition’ to upgrade my Windows 7 which was also an upgrade edition originally upgraded from Vista? Sorry for all the upgrade words! I'm assuming no but I thought its worth asking.

I would have thought so, I'm sure I read somewhere that even if you have a pirated copy of win 7 you can still upgrade, bill wants everyone on board.

XP upgrade to Windows 8 i will give that ago !! £25 ain't nothing really so i'll let my 8 year old toy with it as he may adapt to it better than me :)

But i'll keep my Windows 7 :)

MrNeil
XP upgrade to Windows 8 i will give that ago !! £25 ain't nothing really so i'll let my 8 year old toy with it as he may adapt to it better than me :)
But i'll keep my Windows 7 :)

Same here, I've not got used to win 7 yet.

CAT-THE-FIFTH
Do you think this would work,with an OEM laptop license??

You are eligible if your computer was bought after the above date and came with a valid Windows 7 OEM Certificate of Authenticity

Should be fine - at least I'm hoping it will be, since I've just bought an OEM license myself :P

So they're potentially charging £15 for the OS. That's probably less than Stardock will end up charging for the add-on that disables the horrid UI and gives us the Start button (and proper Start Menu) back. Says a lot about Microsoft's decision-making.

Looks like a move to aggressively defend their market share. Is their hold on the OS market in the least threatened in recent years?

TooNice
Looks like a move to aggressively defend their market share. Is their hold on the OS market in the least threatened in recent years?

I dont think actual macs have really made much more headway into the desktop/latop market share in the last say 3 years or so. Obviously if you lump smartphones and tablets into the equation its all changed a lot, but 90% of real computers have windows on them, and its been that way for a while.

Very clever tactics by MS. Many of us will be tempted to buy the upgrade even if we don't use it on our main machines. This will allow them to avoid a Vista type car crash.

But it's still throwing £15 down the drain really. I've yet to hear about a single feature which makes me think “ah, now that's a great reason to upgrade.”

Mmm… I think I may be talking myself out of this already. A bargain is only a bargain if you need what you're buying.

Might ‘upgrade’ my old MSI Wind netbook using it. I've got a spare SSD ready to implant, just needing a modern OS to support it. At least on 10 inch screen Metro might not be so annoying.

I've got 4 machines. All of them have Windows 7 x64 on them. I've got a free copy courtesy of the MSDN Academic Alliance and I still have no inclination to replace any of my Win7 setups with it.
Although I welcome the pricing, you do have to wonder if it smacks of MS feeling somewhat nervy of it selling at all.

asderferjerkel
Should be fine - at least I'm hoping it will be, since I've just bought an OEM license myself :P

Actually, looking at the upgrade page, I'm not so sure now. You have to give them the brand and model of computer, plus the retailer and purchase date. I wonder if they'll accept “other” and “amazon” for the manufacturer and retailer…

OilSheikh
Will stick with Win7. Win8 is not at all appealing to me. Looks more like Win7 SP2

I felt that Win7 was pretty much just Vista SP3.

The problem with every version of Windows is that it's based on the last so it'll always just be “windows” to some degree. 8 is pretty radical though (hence the controversy) and it's interesting you say it looks more like Win7 SP2 since it's the ‘looks’ that are so divisive ;)

Truth is 8 is a good progression on 7 in many areas and if you live with the marmite nature of metro (or simply avoid it for no cost) then it's a worthy OS and well worth the trivial cost. Then again 7 is a good OS that will see you through the next 2-3 years so you don't have to buy it either - so make your choice and be happy. If you've got XP or Vista I think you'll struggle to justify sticking at all though.

£25 is a good price, but as AMD have decided to not release the Catalyst Control Center for AMD 4850's I am unable to use Windows 8 due to scaling problems (over/underscan I think it is called). So for me Windows 8 would cost about £150 - £200 to upgrade!

As a result I will be sticking with Windows 7 for the foreseeable future…

dangel
I felt that Win7 was pretty much just Vista SP3.

The problem with every version of Windows is that it's based on the last so it'll always just be “windows” to some degree. 8 is pretty radical though (hence the controversy) and it's interesting you say it looks more like Win7 SP2 since it's the ‘looks’ that are so divisive ;)

Truth is 8 is a good progression on 7 in many areas and if you live with the marmite nature of metro (or simply avoid it for no cost) then it's a worthy OS and well worth the trivial cost. Then again 7 is a good OS that will see you through the next 2-3 years so you don't have to buy it either - so make your choice and be happy. If you've got XP or Vista I think you'll struggle to justify sticking at all though.

Pretty much sums it up. Same with most software really. XP to Vista was a blip due to Longhorn development problems, now we're back to normal with incremental updates every few years. Windows 8 is definitely an improvement on 7 in almost every area, the UI is divisive and really down to personal opinion rather than inherently worse or better. Personally, it doesn't bother me all that much although it could certainly use a bit more polish as it feels a bit messy flicking between Metro/Modern and the “traditional” desktop, I'd imagine it'll be great on tablets when it's used in Metro all the time though.

Not sure why some people think every new version has to be drastically different from the last. Most other software - and you can extend that further to other industries - don't work like that. No-one puts a gun to your head and forces you to upgrade, so you can continue to use your existing version until either A) they release a version with enough improvements that you feel it justifies upgrading; or B) until it's no longer supported (which is generally well over a decade for Microsoft products); or just continue using it forever unsupported, no-one is stopping you.

Its good to see loyalty to windows rewarded a little wiht more reasonable upgrade costs, the past prices have been so high that you can ften save or at least break even by buying a new license (albeit an OEM one)

It's a great price but having tried the preview versions i personally will not be buying atm, when some killer app or a new directx comes out which is win8 only then maybe but for now win7 does everything I want and need

I resent the fact that Microsoft are using the Metro UI on the desktop as a means of gaining acceptance for the same UI on their mobile products. I know it seems strange to castigate M$ for offering Windows 8 at a low price, but their pricing is just evidence of their ‘underhand’ tactics. Still, I expect it's only a matter of time before some utilities turn up which bring back the Win 7 interface. It's far from perfect, but it's a damn sight better than ‘Metro’ (or whatever they're calling it this week)!

I guess it's more as it covers the cost of them not owning win7 to a certain extent.

Jimbobgod1969
I resent the fact that Microsoft are using the Metro UI on the desktop as a means of gaining acceptance for the same UI on their mobile products.

I agree is not perfect by any means but I do think it will make a lot more sense when we have alignment with tablets/phones/touch laptops. Either MS is being very stupid or there's a longer term plan at work here.

Jimbobgod1969
I know it seems strange to castigate M$ for offering Windows 8 at a low price, but their pricing is just evidence of their ‘underhand’ tactics.

Not really, just depends on which way you want to see it - and there's no need to buy it if you don't want to. You have choice.

Jimbobgod1969
Still, I expect it's only a matter of time before some utilities turn up which bring back the Win 7 interface. It's far from perfect, but it's a damn sight better than ‘Metro’ (or whatever they're calling it this week)!

They already exist, and have done for some time. You can 99.9% of the time avoid metro entirely but then people just moan they shouldn't have to do anything (free or not) to have it fit their own needs. I'm using it full time at work (have done for a few months) without any real mods (aside from directory opus which I always use) and find it pretty much like 7 in real world use on a desktop.
I can't use it at home yet (I have it installed) because creative xfi drivers are a mess (once again) otherwise i'd switch without question.

Its a good price, i think i will get it for the home pc, but keep 7 for my gaming pc for now.

Sounds good to me, Still running Windows XP !

Windows 7 just feels so complete to me, and it is not losing support or patching any time soon like xp. Maybe if I start going into the tablet arena and getting a Windows one(out of all those choices) then that view will probably change. But for now, like many others, I do feel pretty satisfy with the current OS.

I must say £25 from XP to Windows 8 is going to tempt a LOT of people…….I sure hope Microsoft do a compatibility and performance analysis before allowing the purchase!

I'm sticking with 7. There wasn't the “wow I'm impressed” factor with Windows 8.

It's a shame I dumped my XP PC, would be great to use the serial code to get Windows 8 for £25 as I actually use it.

dangel
I felt that Win7 was pretty much just Vista SP3.

I really cannot see how you can say that, Vista was truly awful.
Win 7 is miles ahead of Vista in terms of both performance and being a lot more user friendly.

That said Win 7 is probably what Vista Should have been all along.

I'm thinking their just trying to turn as many people as possible on to the metro app store where they take a 30% cut of all sales.
Perhaps moving to the console approach where you make a loss/slim profit on the system in the hopes of making it up in software sales (or in this case app sales)

kevinc6784
I felt that Win7 was pretty much just Vista SP3.

I really cannot see how you can say that, Vista was truly awful.
Win 7 is miles ahead of Vista in terms of both performance and being a lot more user friendly.

That said Win 7 is probably what Vista Should have been all along.

Have you used Vista on a modern machine recently? It performs much the same as Windows 7 does. The reason Vista seemed awful at the time and Windows 7 seemed great when it was released was because drivers for 6.0 kernel were mature by the time 7 came out, whilst during Vista's release they were still buggy as hell, in addition to hardware performance improving in the years between the Vista and 7 release dates making 7 seem faster by comparison.

Similarly XP was a pig when it was released on 2001 hardware, it was buggy, had driver and software incompatibilities, didn't perform as well as 9x/2000, etc. Of course half a decade and two service packs later everyone had forgotten about that and were too busy badmouthing Vista to recall that this happens every time there's a major overhaul of Windows.

as long as it wont be changes like less need of perfomance or something its never worth to buy newer version

i tried the beta or release candidate when it came out …. wasn't impresed at all i'm afraid i am sticking with windows 7

kevinc6784
I really cannot see how you can say that, Vista was truly awful.
Win 7 is miles ahead of Vista in terms of both performance and being a lot more user friendly.

That said Win 7 is probably what Vista Should have been all along.

I think you missed the point somewhat by pulling out just that phrase but Vista introduced a lot of the changes that made 7 so great - the new driver model (stability), UAC (security), search in start (ease of use) etc etc. Sure 7 refined them but they weren't new as such and 7 derives from Vista's codebase. Vista suffered at the hands of drivers for 1.5 years and this has forever marred it's fate but in reality it was a big step up from XP and only really sucked on older hardware or laptops because it suffered from heavy resource usage and hard drive chatter. At the time I preferred it on a Q6600/4GB system for work. But we digress, it's not really the point at hand - it's just that the “it's just a service pack for Windows x” phrase comes up every time a new version launches for the reasons I mentioned. 8 has plenty of “new” but it's easy to dismiss it as derivative if you so wish (and that will always be the case). The funny thing is 8 is far more radical in some areas, and thus more divisive, and yet it's just a service pack..

not a bad price but it's around £9.40 in the us ($15). seems a bit cheeky as they can't use the whole us vat is less and uk overheads are higher over hear argument this time.

I think getting windows 8 is mostly pointless if you havent got a touch screen laptop/pc