Microsoft Sri Lanka has some great news in store for all their customers who are awaiting the October launch of the new metro style Windows 8.  As a special prelaunch privilege, Microsoft is offering all customers who purchase a qualifying Windows 7 PC with Home Basic or higher version from now until January 31, 2013 the option to purchase a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $14.99. Through this limited time Windows Upgrade Offer, all purchases made through the authorized local distribution channel will receive Windows 8 when the product is generally available at the estimated retail price of $14.99, although the actual price may vary slightly due to taxes that apply for online payment in Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Windows Upgrade Offer is just the first of many consumer offers that will roll out in conjunction with the general availability of Windows 8.

The final Windows 8 Preview, recently released has brought the software giant a step closer in their journey of readying the world for Windows 8.  Now available for download, the preview gives a foretaste of the tens of thousands of refinements, such as increased personalization options for the Start screen, improved multi-monitor support, changes to the way people find and download apps through the Windows Store, and new Family Safety features. 

With Windows 8, customers will experience their PCs come to life with live tiles that give instant access to people, apps, sites and more. With the ability to personalize, the Windows 8 experience users can stay up to date and closer to what matters most with mail, calendar, photos, messaging while being connected with great apps built for News, Sports, Maps, Sports, Weather and Finance. .  Another significant feature is Internet Explorer 10, the entirely new fast and fluid browser for Windows 8 that is poised to redefine the browsing experience.

Customers eligible for the upgrade offer can register for the offer through the Windows Upgrade Offer website http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com.  They will then receive a confirmation email with details of their registration.  With the general availability of Windows 8 in the consumer market, customers will receive an additional email with their promotion code and purchase instructions.  End users will then be able to purchase the upgrade and download Windows 8.

All eligible customers will receive the same upgrade offer i.e. an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro via Microsoft-designated electronic software distribution (ESD). For customers who prefer physical media, optional backup media will be available for purchase at an additional cost, although the experience is not designed to offer this in place of the software download.  Users also have the advantage of creating their own installation media on DVD or USB.

This special offer from Microsoft will provide “retail equivalent” software licensed by Microsoft.  The software will come with the same rights and limitations as other retail upgrade software to Windows 8, including a multi-language user interface.  Each upgrade license will only apply to one PC and will be limited to PCs with a valid base license to a qualifying operating system (e.g., an OEM Windows 7 SKU).  The promotion is not a “Windows 8 ready”, “Windows 8 compatible” or similar program, nor does it express or imply compatibility of any PC with Windows 8. 

The offer will be limited to customers who purchase new PCs from the authorized local distribution channel during the promotional period until January 31, 2013 with a valid, previously unused Windows 7 OEM Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Users have the option to use the upgrade on any compatible Windows-based PC and not necessarily the new PC they purchased.  Users that choose not to upgrade their newly purchased PC may give the offer away or redeem the offer and upgrade at a later date, although it must be purchased by February 28, 2013.

All of which makes the special offer to local customers by Microsoft Sri Lanka an investment worth making.  An easy download of the Windows 8 Preview is available at http://preview.windows.com. Customers can visit http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com  for promotion details and other information.