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 June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010. Individual 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 fulfillment 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 some markets, retail packaged Windows Vista software products (sold separately from PCs) may also qualify for an upgrade to the equivalent Windows 7 product. The upgrades will be provided to qualifying customers when the Windows 7 product becomes available on October 22, 2009.

Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate

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.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer is designed for consumers and small businesses. It allows for up to 25 upgrade copies per customer (one copy per qualifying PC purchase). Each upgrade copy must be individually installed and activated on the qualifying PC. You can get specific details from your PC manufacturer.

Exact implementation details may vary by PC manufacturer and retailer 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.

For new PC purchases, look for a 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. 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 fulfillment site to see terms and conditions and to order your upgrade.

You should find information about deadlines on a coupon or form included with your PC or software program or the original sales receipt. If you don't find the coupon or order form, please contact the PC manufacturer if you purchased a qualifying PC or contact your retailer if you purchased retail packaged Windows Vista software. A good place to begin looking for contact information is at our Windows 7 Upgrade Option page. In many 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 on October 22, 2009.

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, you will be required to provide payment information to cover shipping and handling fees.

The program eligibility period runs from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 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.

Product shipment times will vary by offer and location, but the earliest you could expect to receive your upgrade product would be around the time of Windows 7 general availability (GA) on October 22, 2009.

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 it is supported by Microsoft. See Microsoft Help and Support for more information on Microsoft support. Additionally, you may want to look for additional Upgrade Support information included with your Windows 7 DVD.

Windows 7 will be generally available on October 22, 2009.