Windows 7 for free?
Rumors are floating around that Microsoft is planning to offer a Windows 7 upgrade to Vista owners, for free. The Malaysian web site TechArp just reported that Microsoft has a draft of their Windows 7 Technical Guarantee Program, which includes details on what they're calling the "Windows 7 Upgrade Program."
Details are sketchy as of this point, but strategically, it is designed to mitigate the number of users who are putting off buying a new computer, because they would rather go directly to Windows 7 from XP, rather than deal with Vista.
According to the site, the program is targeted at consumers and small business users that bought new PCs that were pre-installed with Vista during a predetermined period of eligibility. Vista Home Basic isn't included in the program however; only Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, and Vista Ultimate. larger enterprises with multiple upgrade requirements aren't eligible.
The upgrade plan is nothing more than a rumor at this point, although TechArp does claim to have seen a copy of a letter Microsoft sent out to its OEM partners. TechArp does have a good reputation on getting the scoop on Microsoft strategies.
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Either way you look at it Microsoft Data Center management did not follow standards or best practices in this failure. In which case it makes me wonder more about the outsourcing of corporate data much less personal data.
- mburton325
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Vista antagonism.
...all of this continual Vista sniping is getting very old and tiresome. Is there such a dearth of IT news for this raggedy subject to continue to be beaten into the ground for these past few years?... Get a life, you critics, they're other products out there just waiting for your dollars. "Evil" Ogre Microsoft isn't forcing you to continue using an OS you don't like.
...signed,
< World renowned IT expert in all aspects of all computers everywhere...>
Smart Move
That is a really good idea. Although I don't think it will happen, it would really help restore faith in Microsoft. I have had beta-7 on a test machine since downloading it off a torrent a few weeks ago. I'm impressed, especially running on a two year old laptop that originally came with Vista.AntiGustsOfBloware
OPEC isn't forcing me to get decayed million year old goo all over my hands when I change the oil either.