Tech Shout!

Microsoft has announced three new ways for its customers, who are looking out to buy, upgrade or license multiple copies of Windows Vista, its latest 3D operating system that will be made available worldwide on January 30, 2007. The three new methods announced by Microsoft that include Windows Anytime Upgrade, Windows Vista Family Discount and Windows Marketplace, aim to provide customers with more flexibility in obtaining Windows Vista, as well as an assurance that they have the edition of Windows Vista that perfectly matches their needs.

With Windows Anytime Upgrade, customers will conveniently be able to upgrade their existing edition of Windows Vista to a higher-grade edition via transactions done online. Say for example, if a Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Business user decides that he or she wishes to have more capability to join his home PCs to decure domains at the office, or even to experience the multimedia capabilities of Windows Vista on his work laptop, Windows Anytime Upgrade makes this process of moving to Windows Vista Ultimate very easy and affordable at the same time.

When using Windows Anytime Upgrade, a customer has to simply click on the Windows anytime Upgrade option in the Start menu, where he then selects the desired upgrade edition, purchases it online to secure a new digital key, and then follows the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

According to Microsoft, the business model for Windows Anytime Upgrade is unique in the sense that OEMs and retail partners will be able to offer Windows Anytime Upgrade as online merchants, through a new e-commerce infrastructure that has been developed by Microsoft.

The suggested retail prices to upgrade to more premium editions of Windows Vista are listed below:

Home Basic to Home Premium: $79

Home Basic to Ultimate: $199

Home Premium to Ultimate: $159

Business to Ultimate: $139

Microsoft will make Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office release available for direct download via Windows Marketplace, the largest online destination for buying software that runs on Windows. Starting Jan. 30 and working with retail partners, Windows Marketplace will offer the following upgrade editions of Windows Vista and full versions of the 2007 Microsoft Office release at suggested retail prices:

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Ultimate

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007

Microsoft Office Professional 2007

Microsoft Office Standard 2007

Windows Vista editions offered through Windows Marketplace are available in English only, in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions. Windows Marketplace visitors also can find a wide variety of Windows-compatible hardware and software, including products carrying the Certified for Windows Vista logo, which are tested to ensure superior reliability and quality when running on Windows Vista.

Windows Marketplace makes it fast and easy to download large programs such as Windows Vista through its digital locker technology. Digital locker combines the immediacy of downloaded software with the security features of owning physical media like a DVD, it uses innovative security technology to store purchased software and license keys, efficiently resumes downloads if they are interrupted, and manages the overall installation process.
To make it easier for households with multiple PCs to make the move to Windows Vista, Microsoft is launching a limited-time offer for customers who buy retail copies of Windows Vista Ultimate. From Jan. 30 through June 30, the Windows Vista Family Discount will allow North American customers to license two additional copies of Windows Vista Home Premium for use on other PCs in the home at the reduced price of $49.99 each.

Before completing the order online, customers will need to enter one valid full or upgrade Windows Vista Ultimate key from their retail boxed product. After eligibility is verified online, the customer can purchase licenses to install Windows Vista Home Premium on one or two additional Windows-based computers. The Windows Vista Family Discount is available only in the U.S. and Canada.