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Microsoft may not offer a retail version of Windows 8

posted on Jul 13th 2012 by

With Windows 8 Microsoft is taking an uncharacteristically aggressive pricing approach. They have already announced that the Windows 8 upgrade will cost only $40, more that 50% cheaper than the Windows 7 upgrade. Another way Microsoft plans to make Windows 8 more affordable is removing the retail version.

The retail version has been the unadulterated version of Windows, free from OEM bloatware and customization. Without all the subsidizing the Windows 7 Pro retail version cost a whopping $300. Paul Thurrot and Mary Jo Foley revealed that Microsoft would be offering just two version of Windows 8 instead: upgrade and system builder.

Windows 8 Upgrade is what people with existing Windows machines will use. The System Builder will be for people building their own machines, people who want to dual boot on a Mac, or anyone that just wants the full version. This aligns with Microsoft’s plan to simplify Windows, and we really like where they are headed.

[via Neowin]


  • http://www.gamesobscura.com/ themizarkshow

    Glad to see Microsoft getting with the fucking program on OS pricing, especially for upgrades. You WANT people to upgrade after all.

  • http://twitter.com/timmyjoe42 tim bennett

    I’m all for this. They are probably making a much higher profit as a download too.

  • https://market.android.com/developer?pub=Ender's+Games+and+Apps Brian Ouellette

    What if i want to “upgrade” my ubuntu machine to Windows 8. Can i still get that $40 pricing? Been using the Release Preview. it rocks.

  • http://www.jeroenheijster.com/ Jeroen Heijster

    No, the upgrade is only for Windows XP, Vista and 7.

  • http://twitter.com/HuskyLogan Logan Nowak

    No, but you can use the Release Preview to get the upgrade.