Windows 7 to windows 8 upgrade deal

It lacks domain support, Media Center, and remote desktop, among other things. OEM editions can be installed from scratch. Microsoft is not making Windows RT directly available to consumers at all. Consumers used to have to spend big on Windows updates, but we live in a more sane time. If you fancy those snazzy live tiles, you can get Windows 8 without breaking the bank. This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page. And one inexplicable pricing decision actually penalizes customers who are among the first to purchase PCs preloaded with Windows 8.

Start here to launch the Windows Upgrade Assistant, and you will rapidly get to this screen:. You can install the upgrade immediately or save it for later. And note that you do not have to use your discounted upgrade on the machine where you downloaded the code. You are free to snag the product key and the installer files and use them on a different qualifying PC later.

You have to register at this website , and await a promo code that will arrive via email from Microsoft. After you receive the promo code via email, follow the instructions to run the Upgrade Assistant. The payment screen should look like this:. But what if you waited and purchased a new PC with Windows 8 already installed? Surely Microsoft will reward you as an early adopter, right?

Most PCs sold at retail, as far as I have been able to determine, come with the base edition of Windows 8. Select Download and Install Updates. Click Next. The installer will now check for important updates. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install updates. Type your product key and click Next. This is the long set of letters and numbers that came with your Windows 8 DVD.

Depending on where you purchased Windows 8, they key may also be in an email or on a printed receipt. Click Accept. Select which items you want to save from your Windows 7 install.

Select each type of data you want to keep. Depending on the option s you selected in the previous step, you may have to perform additional tasks or restart the computer. Click Install. Windows 8 will now start to install.

The computer may reboot several times during the installation. Select a background color and click Next. Select Use Express Settings. This sets up Windows 8 with the default security settings. If you want to customize your settings instead, click Customize to do so now. Verify your password. Select an account type to sign in. To install this update, install the April , update rollup for Windows RT 8. Or, install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7.

Learn about the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates. Windows 8. Need more help? Expand your skills. Get new features first. Was this information helpful?