Microsoft gives more details about Windows 8 upgrade options

Microsoft has provided more information to a number of partner companies about the upgrade options from older Windows versions to Windows 8. Vista and Windows 7 migrations usually preserve settings and applications.

The usually well-informed ‘Microsoft watcher’ Mary Jo-Foley reports on ZDnet that Microsoft has provided information to a number of parties it works with about the upgrade options of Windows 8. For example, users of Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows Upgrade 7 Home Premium to the basic version of Windows 8 while retaining data, settings and installed applications. Windows 7 Ultimate will be added to that list for the switch to Windows 8 Pro. Additionally, an upgrade with retention of all data and applications to Windows 8 Enterprise, available only through volume licensing, is available from Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise.

Vista users who have not yet installed Service Pack 1 can only take the personal files with them when switching to Windows 8. With Vista 1 SP1, the system settings are also included. Windows XP users with SP3 can only migrate while keeping their personal data.

It would not be possible to upgrade while preserving data if a Windows 8 version is installed in a different language. Also, it is not possible to upgrade a 32-bit edition of Vista or Windows 7 to a 64-bit edition of Windows 8.

Microsoft already announced an upgrade program for Windows 8 in May. Buyers of Windows 7 systems could upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an additional $15. This promotion runs through January 2013 but is not valid for Windows 7 Starter. Microsoft is expected to release Windows 8 in or around October.