Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pricing, Availability & More

Microsoft’s latest update to the Windows OS, Windows 8.1, became available from October 17, 2013 at the Windows Store while devices running the Windows 8.1 as well as the retail DVDs started shipping from October 18, 2013. Microsoft has released information about pricing of and upgrading to Windows 8.1. Microsoft has now announced a successor for Windows 8.1, it will be known as Windows 10

In case you do not know yet, Windows 8.1 update will be free and seamless for users who are already running Windows 8. Users running older Windows version like the Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP will spend $119.99 (19,500 Naira) for Windows 8.1. If the you prefer Windows 8.1 Pro, Microsoft has set the price to $199.00 (32,000 Naira).

The prices are the same whether you download online or buy the Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro DVD from an authorised retail store. Windows 8.1 will be available as full version rather than the upgrade version like the Windows 8.

If you buy a computer running the basic version of Windows 8.1 and want to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro, Microsoft offers that for $99.99 (16,000 Naira).

Upgrade Guidelines

Consumers currently running Windows 7 who want to migrate to Windows 8.1, will be required to reinstall their desktop apps including Microsoft Office. All your existing files and data will still be supported, but you will have to reinstall the respective desktop apps.

Although PCs running Windows XP and Windows Vista can run Windows 8.1, Microsoft does not recommend upgrading your existing Windows Vista and XP machines, because according to Microsoft, Windows 8.1 will not run optimally in such machines. However, Microsoft will still support upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Vista and XP.

Microsoft recommends that if you insist on upgrading from Windows XP or Vista that you buy the Windows 8.1 DVD rather than download online. In addition, Microsoft recommends a clean install of Windows 8.1 on the machine rather that upgrading. Remember to backup your files and settings before cleaning the machine. You can reinstall them after successfully installing Windows 8.1.

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