Upgrading to Windows 8 from Vista

[marsdenprimary]

Hello,

 

What's the most cost effective way of upgrading a laptop that is currently running Vista? Are there any cheap options? I'm helping a friend to upgrade and she wants Windows 8 but i'm unsure if it's possible to purchase the 'upgrade' version to upgrade Vista...

[LosOjos]

Hello,

 

What's the most cost effective way of upgrading a laptop that is currently running Vista? Are there any cheap options? I'm helping a friend to upgrade and she wants Windows 8 but i'm unsure if it's possible to purchase the 'upgrade' version to upgrade Vista...

 

You can use a Windows 8 upgrade disc with any legitimate copy of XP, Vista or 7. However, for XP and Vista it won't be a true 'upgrade', it'll be a clean install (i.e. all files, folders and settings lost, so backup first!)

 

Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows Vista or Windows XP - Microsoft Windows

 

OEM copies are cheaper than retail and include everything except Microsoft Support (I don't know a soul alive who has ever called Microsoft for support installing Windows on a personal machine). As they're meant for installation by system builders on to new machines, there is no 'upgrade' version but they're still generally cheaper.

 

If she happens to be student, you can get Windows 8.1 for free on Dreamspark Premium if her uni provides access (the OU do if you're studying a computing or maths degree and possibly others too): https://e5.onthehub.com

Edited February 11, 2014 by LosOjos

[marsdenprimary]

You can use a Windows 8 upgrade disc with any legitimate copy of XP, Vista or 7. However, for XP and Vista it won't be a true 'upgrade', it'll be a clean install (i.e. all files, folders and settings lost, so backup first!)

 

Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows Vista or Windows XP - Microsoft Windows

 

OEM copies are cheaper than retail and include everything except Microsoft Support (I don't know a soul alive who has ever called Microsoft for support installing Windows on a personal machine). As they're meant for installation by system builders on to new machines, there is no 'upgrade' version but they're still generally cheaper.

 

If she happens to be student, you can get Windows 8.1 for free on Dreamspark Premium if her uni provides access (the OU do if you're studying a computing or maths degree and possibly others too): https://e5.onthehub.com

 

Thankyou. I'm not sure why she wants Windows 8 to be honest- i'm trying to persuade her to run Windows 7 which would be an easy upgrade and cheaper! Cheers for the info.

[Danp]

Does she have to have Windows? Linux maybe?

[marsdenprimary]

Does she have to have Windows? Linux maybe?

 

If only :-)

[jamesbmarshall]

Thankyou. I'm not sure why she wants Windows 8 to be honest- i'm trying to persuade her to run Windows 7 which would be an easy upgrade and cheaper!

 

Why do you think it would be easier?