Microsoft Allows $39.99 Windows 8 Pro Upgrade From Release Preview

Microsoft has officially confirmed that it will allow the $39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade offer to work from users running the Release Preview version, as previously explained in a Computerworld FAQ. So, does this mean that someone can simply run the free RP version and upgrade for a super-cheap price? Not quite, as it’s “assumed” that the user had a previous retail Windows version installed on their PC before Release Preview. Here is the full Microsoft statement:

“Computerworld got it right. Assuming the customer had a previous version of Windows installed before Release Preview, they’ll be able to upgrade from the Release Preview. They won’t need to reinstall the previous version to do the upgrade; they can just upgrade on top of the Release Preview.”

Also, this isn’t strictly an upgrade, as it’s more of a migration, since only personal files will be kept, not the user’s applications or settings. Therefore, it’s a full, clean install, with only the content of the personal files areas being moved over. This might seem inconvenient, but it’s the best choice for a stable and smooth-running Windows installation. This behaviour will apply when upgrading from any retail Windows version. Microsoft officially confirmed this, too:

“(P)eople can move from the Windows 8 Release Preview to Windows 8 Pro using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant and will only have the options to migrate their personal files or keep nothing at all when upgrading. People moving from the Windows 8 Release Preview will need to make sure you have an underlying license for either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7.”