Grab Windows 8 Pro now for $39.99 before it hits $199.99 in February
January 19, 2013 35
Email article | Print article 
Have even the remotest interest in Windows 8? Think you may upgrade, or will want to upgrade, in the future? If so, right now is the time to grab it.
As mentioned on dotTech earlier, Microsoft is running a promotion that allows everyone with Windows XP SP3 and higher to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. There is another promotion for people who recently bought Windows 7 PCs to grab Windows 8 Pro for $14.99. Both these promotions end on January 31, 2013; starting February 1, 2013, Windows 8 Pro upgrade goes to the normal price of $199.99.
Aside from Windows 8 Pro going to $199.99 starting February, here are the pricing details for other versions of Windows 8:
- The Windows 8 upgrade edition will be available online and at retail for $119.99 MSRP (U.S.).
- The Windows 8 Pro Pack will cost $99.99 MSRP (U.S.).
- The Windows 8 Media Center Pack will cost $9.99 MSRP (U.S.).
Grab Windows 8 Pro now, if you want it — otherwise forever hold your peace.
[via Microsoft]
![Microsoft uses Siri to bash the iPad, again [Video]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/06/microsoftad-134x90.jpg)
@JonE: I’d be interested in knowing why you recommend ‘phoning for activation. If you think this would be off-subject, please consider sending me a Private Message via dotTech.
Incidently, after the initial activation their is a way of avoiding activation with MicroSoft ever again.
See my post: http://dottech.org/26385/ask-dottechies-favorite-windows-tips-or-tricks/comment-page-3/#comment-307167
@bajadave: The last comment on page one (1) was written with everyone in mind, but it was supposed to point directly at you; for some reason my old brain neglected that step. Sorry!
I guess part of the answer is mainly because of a thing called, if memory serves correctly, Genuine Advantage which is something, after a lot of research, I wanted no part of. I guess there is a lot of MS stuff I want no part of. I certainly understand, with all the pirated Microsoft stuff out there, Microsoft’s need to verify the validity and authenticity of their software, but oh my goodness it can end up being a goat rope, if not a joke especially when someone spends hundreds of dollars for legitimate Microsoft software just to be told by Microsoft that it is not valid, well you get the point; it ends up being extremely frustrating for legitimate end users of Microsoft software.
And I guess part of the answer is that I had no idea about the software gem Advanced Tokens Manager which I do intend to download and install.
I personally have never had a problem activating any of my Microsoft software, OS or otherwise, by phone, and have never had MS come back at me afterwards telling me I don’t have a legitimate copy of Windows or other MS application, like many other people I know have who have activated online.
And I stated that some may disagree with me because I’m not an expert; just a regular schmo that ended up helping a lot of people with computer problems and ended up doing the things I do based on my experience over many years.
Phone activation has just plain worked for me and have found it to be nearly effortless. I most sincerely appreciate the heads up about Advanced Tokens Manager; I wish I knew about it long ago. Off topic? I don’t think so.
@al hall: I came back here today since I learned some new things about your question. And you are technically correct about being able to downgrade with an OEM version of Windows 8, but rather than write what I was going to I will refer you to the comment by “Preacher” and the link he provides: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=AqGi7JRugOq
Read the whole boring thing; from start to finish. Perhaps you will come to the same conclusion I did; In my opinion it’s just not worth all the trouble. And after watching the video that “Col Panek” pointed us to, and that ended up being a dotTech Post today it affirmed my opinion that it just isn’t worth the trouble.
@Preacher: Thank you, for the link. I congratulate you on your obvious ablility to navigate Microsoft with a high level of skill. I always get frustrated on Microsoft.
@Col. Panek: A thousand Thank You’s; an extremely informative video. Although peppered with humor throughout there is seriously nothing humorous about it; the subject of the video, that is. My opinion.
Thank you!
@Ron Helton: The last thing I want to send to Microsoft is my money, but as we all know there are very few alternatives that work as well as Windows. And from everything I’ve been able to find out Microsoft is still marketing Windows 7. If you refer to the last comment, my comment, on page one (1) you will find a link there to the Microsoft Store for Windows 7 Professional, but it can be found for much less if you look around, perhaps at one of the shops in your local.
@bajadave: DO NOT, I repeat no not do anything about that!!!!!
I clicked on that link and the first thing that happened is that Avast stopped them from trying to install Malware on my pc.
I highly doubt that it is a legitimate key!
Better to go through MS, or if still available, get a key card.
@Bob:
For what it’s worth I read that Windows 8 had gone to hardware product keys, which means whatever machine you purchase the upgrade for is all it will work for. If you have any luck with other PC’s let us know. Windows 8 is supposed to be the first version of Windows to do this.
@bajadave: @bajadave: I bought yesterday, no problem, it works fine!
@jayesstee: I bought yesterday, it is amazing.
@happypaul: Hope that is amazing – good.
Vista was amazing – poor!
Thanks for the recommendation.
Can I install this promo version on a new system that has no OS installed?