Solved Upgrade

if iam running windows8 pro and use free update on micorsoft websit will that give me the resr of the windows featuers if not what are the others how do i get them and are they usful to home user

For a overview of different skus.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5757-compare-windows-8-editions.html

and

Windows 8 editions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You're confusing two separate issues: Upgrade and update. There isn't any free upgrade. Upgrades are purchased either on line from Microsoft, as a download without disc, or from some vendor, on line, who sells the boxed version and mails the discs it to you in a box or sells the two upgrade versions in some store. All updates are free and automatic, by default, on Windows 8.

If you already have Windows 8 Pro, you're there. Nothing else available.

wetibbe said:

You're confusing two separate issues: Upgrade and update. There isn't any free upgrade. Upgrades are purchased either on line from Microsoft, as a download without disc, or from some vendor, on line, who sells the boxed version and mails the discs it to you in a box or sells the two upgrade versions in some store. All updates are free and automatic, by default, on Windows 8.

If you already have Windows 8 Pro, you're there. Nothing else available.

Click to expand...

Pro to ProWMC is still free to upgrade lol, but Pro is good enough for the most people.

I would have to say that WMC isn't exactly the conventional definition of an upgrade. Windows seems to separate that into two categories.

A generic upgrade normally refers to installing a more recent version - Windows 96, XP Vista Win 7 - upgrade to Win 8.

Windows 8 regular is shipped pre-installed on computers. There is a stripped down version of Win 8 for notebooks and tables, smaller devices, touch screen.

Microsoft is offering Windows 8 as a download on line with no disc for $39.95. Promo ending soon when the price will jump to $199. I have read about many problems with it. I suspect that it may be a "stripper" version, not full.

Windows 8 Pro can be ordered on line from many vendors who mail, or send, the box of two discs 64 bit and 32 bit. Most stores charge $69.95. That Promo will end soon also.

For anyone who bought a computer with Windows 8 factory installed, that can be upgraded from Win 8 regular to Win 8 Pro. The Pro version is more for small businesses, government, hospitals and such. It has enhanced encryption and a couple of other somewhat obscure features that the average home owner, private user, or casual user, won't need or want - probably. That will cost $69.95.

For anyone who has a new computer with Windows 8 pre - installed, if they want WMC Windows Media Center, they will be required to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro at a cost of $69.95

For anyone who has upgraded from Windows 7, Vista, XP to Windows 8 Pro, and already paid the $69.95, the WMC addition may be free. There was a rumble about charging $9.95 which may not actually be in effect.

So it seems that the WMC offer is something or a hybrid betwixt and between an upgrade and an update. Conventionally I would call it an optional update. An upgrade is paid. An update is free.

wetibbe said:

I would have to say that WMC isn't exactly the conventional definition of an upgrade. Windows seems to separate that into two categories.

(snip)

Microsoft is offering Windows 8 as a download on line with no disc for $39.95. Promo ending soon when the price will jump to $199. I have read about many problems with it. I suspect that it may be a "stripper" version, not full.

(snip)

Click to expand...

WMC will cost $10 after the current promotional offer ends. Sort of reminds me of the old XP Plus Pack. (Actually, the promotional offer is less of a deal than I expected. The free keys from Microsoft cannot be used to activate WMC after the end of January. If you need to do a clean re-install of WIn8 after then, you'll have to buy a key. Pfui.)

"Stripper" version? Innuendo: not just an Italian suppository.

Not sure it is worth mentioning but:

Microsoft calls the addition of WMC - "an available add on feature". It includes the ability to record live TV and to watch Internet TV - Provided you computer is equipped with the proper hardware.

You have to get WMC yourself. It isn't included with Windows by default.

* At the start screen type - add feature and then, from the results in Settings, click Add Features to Windows 8. Click I want to buy a product key on line.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6559-windows-media-center-add-windows-8-a.html

So now that the promotions are ending soon, it looks as though anyone who doesn't already have Windows 8 Pro will be required - after promo - to buy/ upgrade to W8 Pro AND purchase the WMC too additionally.


If Microsoft reverts back to the planned retail price it may be $199 plus $13.95.