Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program for Vista PCs (windows7upgradeoption.com)
Similar to Windows Vista Technology Upgrade free upgrade program, Microsoft is also offering a free upgrade program for Windows 7 operating system, due to release October 22nd, 2009. The Windows 7 Technology Guarantee Program (which it previously named) is now called Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, which aims to encourage sales of OEM PCs (desktops, laptops, notebooks and nettops) during transition to Windows 7 where customers may hold back, postpone or defer purchase in anticipation of upcoming Windows 7.
Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program allows consumers and small businesses to free upgrade to Windows 7 when they purchase a qualifying Windows Vista PCs or Windows Vista retail license starting from June 26, 2009. June 26 will mark the official start of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option, and the launch of windows7upgradeoption.com, which will provide detailed information on the qualification and redemption procedure of the free Vista to Windows 7 upgrade. It may also becomes fulfillment website, where eligible end users can order their free copy of Windows 7.
Note: The site is now live, and serves as one-stop fulfillment site that allows end-user to order, track and learn information on the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program.Currently, if you visit the site, you will be seeing “Thank you for your interest. Please return to this site on June 26, 2009, 8:00 AM GMT.” Anyway, the site appears legitimate as the site is hosted for Microsoft by arvato digital services, and maintained by or for one of the following Microsoft Corporation affiliates: Microsoft Licensing, GP, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, or Microsoft (China) Co. Limited, and the applicable entity is referred to as “Microsoft” throughout this site.
Under Windows 7 Upgrade Option program, end user who buys a new PC that is pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate with a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached, or a Windows Vista retail product key with paper license will qualify for a free upgrade to equivalent Windows 7 license and product key at little or no cost. The purchase must occurs during the Program Eligibility Period, which is from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010 (not final and may be change).
The valid upgrade paths or equivalent Windows 7 upgrade editions under Windows 7 Upgrade Option program are:
Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate
Eligible customers will start receiving Windows 7 upgrade media from October 22nd, 2009, corresponding to the day of Windows 7 general availability. All upgrade media fulfillment must be shipped before April 30, 2010. Microsoft will provide Windows 7 licenses and medias at no charge to computer manufacturers, but OEMs may impose fee for shipping and handling.
Several other restrictions for Windows 7 Upgrade Option are that the Windows Vista to Windows 7 upgrade must be of same language version and of same associated edition (e.g. Windows Vista Home Premium K edition to Windows 7 Home Premium K edition). 32-bit to 64-bit upgrade is not supported but allowed through clean install.
End users who opt for optional Windows XP downgrade provided by certain OEMs is eligible for free upgrade to Windows 7, as the machine comes with a Windows Vista COA (Certificate of Authenticity). However, direct Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrade is not supported and will be blocked by Windows 7 upgrade process. The workarond is to do a clean install using the Windows 7 Upgrade Option media using the registration code in the Windows Vista COA.
Consumers who purchase PCs installed with Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Starter Edition, and Windows XP (all editions) are not qualified to receive free upgrade to Windows 7 under Upgrade Option program.
One final note is that Windows 7 Upgrade Option is optional program, as not all OEMs may participate in the program, although most will be happy to jump in the bandwagon. And the duration of the free upgrade program may vary between OEMs too. So do check if the machine you going to purchase is covered under Windows 7 Upgrade Option at the time of purchase before committing.
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Entries (RSS)
November 24th, 2009 17:39
I have windows Vista home Basic also but where would I go to get the upgrade.emachines says I am not eligible for the upgrade.I live in Toronto Canada and from the information above Basic was not released in the United STates
November 16th, 2009 03:36
Arvato is making a mockery of hp. many people have not received thier free upgrades as promised and Arvato does not seem to care in the least.
October 23rd, 2009 02:52
[...] purchased a Windows Vista license with product key in a box package or digital download? Thanks to Windows 7 Upgrade Option from Microsoft, many of these Windows Vista licenses can be upgraded to Windows 7, for free. Free [...]
October 18th, 2009 18:02
مشكوررررررررررررر
July 25th, 2009 00:32
[...] I buy a Windows Vista PC now, can I upgrade to Windows 7 when it’s available? (Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program) [...]
July 13th, 2009 08:56
[...] 22nd, 2009 (or accidentally buy a Windows Vista computer before January 31st, 2010), Microsoft has Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program that entitles new Windows Vista PCs free upgrade to Windows 7 when the later is officially [...]
July 2nd, 2009 01:46
I think you’re wrong about Home basic eligibility. It is eligible. This is from the Update Offer’s FAQ on Microsoft’s page:
“How do I know if I am eligible for this offer?”
“To be eligible for the offer, you need to be running a genuine copy of the Windows XP or Windows Vista operating systems.”
The confusion is likely because there’s NO Home Basic option (in the States at least) for Windows 7–you will be updating to Premium.
It would be quite the rip off if they allowed Home XP to update to 7 for half price, but not Vist Basic. And there’s absolutely no mention on Microsoft’s site indicating there’s such a restriction for the half price update.
July 2nd, 2009 01:31
[...] Re: vista upgrade to windows 7 If you have vista then there is free program for Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program for Vista PCs at windows7upgradeoption.com . Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program allows consumers and small businesses to free upgrade to Windows 7 when they purchase a qualifying Windows Vista CPs starting from June 26, 2009. June 26 will mark the official start of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option, and the launch of windows7upgradeoption.com, which will provide detailed information on the qualification and redemption procedure of the free Vista to Windows 7 upgrade. It may also becomes fulfillment website, where eligible end users can order their free copy of Windows 7. More information here. [...]
July 1st, 2009 02:20
what?what if my com is windows vista home basic?cant upgrade???zzzzzz…..
June 26th, 2009 17:02
[...] that if you intend to purchase a new PC, there is another Windows 7 free upgrade program that entitles you to receive free upgrade to Windows 7 without purchasing Windows 7 license [...]
June 26th, 2009 15:42
Ok, thanks.Nice initiative from Microsoft, but lie usually for the money. My money are already spent so nothing good for me in that.
June 26th, 2009 15:36
1 year ago? Definitely no.
June 26th, 2009 14:59
Hi guys, will this promo allow users who purchased vista, lats say 1 year ago, to be able to upgrade to?
thank you