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Today, eligibility for Windows 8 upgrades were leaked by ZDNet. Although all XP, Vista, and 7 are all eligible for upgrades, the ability to keep applications as well as personal data depends on the operating system version, and with Vista, even the service pack number.
Here’s how it’s been detailed, according to ZDNet:
- Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 (the name of the entry-level consumer version of the operating system) from Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium while maintaining their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications.
- Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro from Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate while maintaining their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications.
- Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise (available to volume licensees with Software Assurance contracts only) from Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise while maintaining their existing Windows settings, personal files and applications.
- Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows Vista (without SP1 installed) but only personal files (meaning data only) will be maintained. If upgrading from Vista with SP1, personal data and system settings will be maintained.
- Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or higher but only personal files/data only will be maintained.
Essentially, if you have Vista SP1 or 7, you’ll be able to upgrade without losing anything. If you have Vista without a service pack or XP, you will be eligible for the discounted price, but will lose applications. Windows 8 is expected to be available this fall. Are you planning on upgrading your current computer or purchasing a new computer or tablet with Windows 8?
