Rumor: Windows 8 Pro to Cost $199
08/22/2012 | Pulkit Chandna



In a bid to lure existing Windows users to Windows 8, Microsoft has announced a special introductory upgrade offer for those who choose to upgrade from Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 between October 26, 2012 and January 31, 2013. As part of this offer, they will have to pay just $39.99 for a downloadable version of Windows 8 Pro and $69.99 for its boxed counterpart. But Microsoft has reserved the best deal for those who purchase a Windows 7 PC between July 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013 by making them eligible for a $14.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade. Such deals are all fine and dandy, but surely not everyone is going to upgrade in the first three months. So what about those who choose to upgrade after the promo period? And, more importantly, what about full (non-upgrade) pricing?

Our friends over at The Verge think they know the answer to at least one of these questions. According to the site, a source familiar with the matter has revealed to them that the full boxed version of Windows 8 Pro will debut at $69.99 as part of an introductory deal before becoming nearly thrice as dear at $199 on January 31st. The unnamed source further claims that Microsoft will also be offering a Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro upgrade option at retail stores, which will cost $69.99 until January 31st and $99.99 beyond that.

All said, since this is still an unconfirmed rumor, we can do little more than hope that Microsoft will shed more light on Windows 8 pricing very soon.