Skip to main content

Microsoft Drops Windows 7 Upgrade Pricing

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft has announced it is dropping the pricing of Windows 7 upgrades by as much as 35 percent, hoping to entice some folks who have PCs with entry-level versions of Windows 7 (like Windows 7 Starter on a netbook) will step up to a spiffier version of Windows. The new upgrade pricing applies to Windows Anytime Upgrade, meaning that only existing Windows 7 users are eligible: the discounts do not apply to users looking to upgrade Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7.

Under the new pricing, Windows 7 Starter user can upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 instead of $79.99. Users of Windows 7 Home Premium can step up to Windows 7 Professional for $79.99, down from $89.99.

Microsoft says the offer will be available from participating retailers in the U.S. until July 3; Microsoft describes the offer’s availability in other markets as being “for a limited time.”

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
How to find your Windows 11 product key
Windows 11 on a tablet.

Your Windows 11 product key is an important piece of information for your PC. One can think of this long batch of characters as the golden ticket to your Windows 11 experience. And not only does a product key give you access to the full breadth of your PC’s features, but it’s also a digital gatekeeper that won’t let you in if you didn’t properly pay for Windows 11.

Read more
How to remove a login password on Windows 11
A padlock surrounded by keys.

Your password is the first line of defense for your Windows 11 PC, as it protects your files and your important information from being accessed by unauthorized users. But there are some instances where you might want to remove a login password in Windows.

One such instance is when you’re sharing a PC with someone and don’t necessarily have anything that’s private on your system. Though we don’t recommend it, removing the password can also mean faster logins to your PC.

Read more
Windows 11 tips and tricks: 8 hidden settings you need to try
Windows 11 on a tablet.

Windows 11 has been around for quite a while now. The operating system isn't as new as when it first came out in 2021, but many people are still updating it for the first time from Windows 10. Yet whether you're new to Windows 11 or have been using it since launch, there are a few things that you still might want to tweak to get a better experience. Microsoft doesn't have all these settings upfront, but we're here to surface them for you.
Move the Taskbar and Start Menu to the left

One of the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the location of the Taskbar and Start Menu. On Windows 10, the Taskbar and Start Menu are positioned to the left of the screen. Windows 11, though, changes that by moving both to the center. If this annoys you, then you can easily change it back.

Read more