The Windows 7 Upgrade Option is available through participating PC manufacturers on selected PCs and through Microsoft on qualifying purchases of the Windows Vista packaged product. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option applies to Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions. Your Windows 7 upgrade will be to the comparable version: so you'll get either Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional (the upgrade to Windows Vista Business), or Windows 7 Ultimate, respectively. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program runs from 26 June 2009 through 31 January 2010. Individual PC manufacturers may choose to offer the option for a shorter period on their PCs. Offer details, prices, and upgrade delivery methods will vary. For details for new PC purchases, please check the manufacturer's web site. For purchases of retail packaged software, please go to the Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site for retail packaged software.

Specifically designated PCs that are pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Ultimate may qualify for an upgrade to the equivalent Windows 7 product. Similarly, in New Zealand, retail packaged Windows Vista software products (sold separately from PCs) bought between 26 June 2009 and 31 January 2010 may also qualify for an upgrade to the equivalent Windows 7 product. The upgrades will be provided to qualifying customers after the Windows 7 product becomes available in the market (also known as "Windows 7 General Availability") which will be the 22nd October 2009.

Qualifying Windows Vista software product -> Windows 7 Product to be fulfilled

Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade -> Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade
Windows Vista Home Premium Full -> Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade
Windows Vista Business Upgrade -> Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
Windows Vista Business Full -> Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade -> Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade
Windows Vista Ultimate Full -> Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade
Windows Vista WAU Home Basic to Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade
Windows Vista WAU Home Basic to Business -> Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
Windows Vista WAU Home Basic to Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade
Windows Vista WAU Home Premium to Business -> Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
Windows Vista WAU Home Premium to Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade

If you can’t tell whether a PC or software program qualifies based on the package or associated marketing material, please consult your retailer or PC manufacturer to see if it is included in the program. A good place to start looking for information is at our Windows 7 Upgrade Option page.

Many additional PC manufacturers are participating in the Windows 7 Upgrade Option program. Please check with your PC manufacturer or retailer for more information about their offer. If you have an upgrade offer form already and wish to place an order, please reference the ordering information on that form.

Participation in the Windows 7 Upgrade Option is decided by the PC manufacturers. There are costs associated with implementing the offers so they may opt out of the program for certain models, particular timeframes, or in specific markets. We encourage customers to work with their PC manufacturers to better understand availability.

Exact implementation details and prices may vary by PC manufacturer so please consult the offer materials that came with your purchase. Some contact information and program details are available from our Windows 7 Upgrade Option page. If you purchased an eligible Windows Vista PC, a Windows 7 Upgrade Option Form will be included in your PC System box. This Offer Form will direct you to the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site, where you can redeem your Windows 7 upgrade. If you purchased eligible retail packaged Windows Vista software products (sold separately from PCs) between 26 June 2009 and 31 January 2010, please visit the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site. You will be required to register your mailing details, pay $29.95 for the upgrade media and mail in a copy of your registration email and purchase receipt to: Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option, PO Box 6319, Wellington 6141, New Zealand.

For new PC purchases, look for a Windows 7 Upgrade Offer Form in the packaging that came with your PC for redemption details. If you can't find information on how to get the upgrade, please contact the PC manufacturer if you purchased a qualifying PC. It is very important that you retain the form that comes with your PC purchase. A good place to begin looking for PC manufacturer contact information is at our Windows 7 Upgrade Option page. If you purchased a retail packaged Windows Vista software product, visit the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site to see terms and conditions and to order your upgrade.

In most cases, you’ll be able to order the upgrade right after you buy your PC or software, even if that’s before Windows 7 is available. We encourage you to place your order for your Windows 7 Upgrade media as soon as possible after you bought either your new PC or eligible software. For PC purchases, you should find information about deadlines on a coupon or form included with your PC. If you don’t find the coupon or order form, please contact the PC manufacturer. Completed Windows 7 Upgrade Offer Forms must be received by 1 March 2010. A good place to begin looking for contact information is at our Windows 7 Upgrade Option page. For software purchases you can register your order online at Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site, anytime between 26 June and 31 January, 2010. You must mail in your proof of purchase and registration email to: Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option, PO Box 6319, Wellington 6141, New Zealand. All Upgrade Claims must be received by 1 March 2010.

For new PC purchases, the upgrade offers will vary by PC manufacturer so please check with them for details. A good place to start looking for contact information is at our Windows 7 Upgrade Option page. For Windows Vista packaged software a credit card payment of NZD$29.95 is required at the time of your online registration at Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site. Your credit card will be charged approximately two weeks before the Windows 7 Upgrade media ships to the address you have provided.

The program eligibility period runs from 26 June 2009 through 31 January 2010. However, for new PC purchases, your PC manufacturer may choose to offer a shorter program period within this date range. Check with your PC manufacturer for actual dates and offer redemption details. If you purchased software you must register online between 26 June 2009 through 31 January 2010 and provide your proof of purchase by 1 March 2010.

The earliest you can expect to receive your upgrade product is after Windows 7 General Availability of 22 October 2009. If you have not received your Windows 7 Upgrade media within four weeks after completing the claim process then please contact 0800 800 004 or email aporders@microsoft.com to obtain information regarding the status of your order.

Yes, a system that was sold with a Windows Vista Business Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and has Windows XP Professional installed, and meets all other program offer requirements, can be eligible for the Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer. Please note that the Windows 7 upgrade media that will be provided was designed for Windows Vista product upgrades. If you are installing the Windows 7 upgrade on a PC currently running Windows XP, you will need to back up your files, do a clean install of the Windows 7 product, and then reinstall your applications and transfer your files in order to perform the switch to Windows 7.

If you do not have a compatible DVD drive available, we suggest you rent, borrow, or buy one if you want to do the installation yourself. Alternatively, you can take your PC and DVD to a service provider that has a DVD drive available that can be used to do the upgrade. Applicable charges may apply.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program does not allow for language switching. The language version of the Windows Vista product that you ordered will be the language version of the Windows 7 product you will receive.

If your Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer came with a Windows Vista-based PC, it is supported by your PC manufacturer so please contact that company for support. If you purchased a retail packaged software product (sold separately from a PC), then Upgrade support information will also be included with your Windows 7 DVD. It is also supported by Microsoft Help and Support, and our New Zealand customer support line on 0800 800 004.

Windows 7 will be available at retail from 22 October 2009.