Get the Full Edition of Microsoft Windows Vista for the Price of an Upgrade
Sometimes I come across some information that makes me to want to explode if I don't tell everyone I know about it. It doesn't have to be a secret; all it has to be is something that isn't well known yet.
While I'm no Windows proponent in any shape of the word, I consider it my duty to tell you how to get Microsoft Windows Vista for less than full retail price. That is, if you don't already have Vista installed.
The Scoop
You can buy the Microsoft Windows Vista "upgrade edition" (with Service Pack 1 even) and install it on any PC as the more expensive "full edition", without paying the full price.
It's crazy, but I wouldn't lie about a thing like this. You can always check my source.
The Source
The latest Windows Secret newsletter includes an article by the editorial director, Brian Livingston, which gives us the dirty low down in "Article on Vista upgrade trick rattles the cages".
It all started with his article in 2007, "Get Vista upgrade, never pay full price", which explained a procedure which is supported by several built-in dialog boxes, indicating it was deliberately included by the developers.
A second article written by Scott Dunn about a week ago, "It's official: upgrade hack included in Vista SP1", shed some more light on the subject.
The Reverse Bait-and-Switch
As Brian explains in his latest article, Microsoft sells Windows Vista for an incredibly high price knowing full well that consumers who are tech-savvy will use the workaround and save a substantial amount, on any edition.
It's like going to a new car dealer and he shows you something expensive, which makes you wince. Then he shows you something a lot cheaper and you decide to buy it. The cheaper model is always easier to sell when it's done like that. Imagine if the dealer had used cars as well. Why would he show you the used cars first, being the cheapest of the lot, when he could get much more out of new car even if it isn't the top of the line?
It's a stupid analogy, but I've seen it in practice. I believe Microsoft is doing the same thing without admitting to it.
Never Mind, I Don't Do Windows
Regardless of their marketing tactics, I will never buy another version of Windows. Vista is too damned expensive for the average consumer. Here in the Philippines, unless we want to buy an expensive computer system, we have to buy the operating system separately.
Here's my war cry: Give me Linux or give me death! Well, not that extreme, but you get the point.
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Well, if that's their strategy it did have some effect on me. I have never intended to buy another copy of windows. XP seems to serve my needs for now, and if Vista becomes more mainstream I will move on to Linux. Still, as I read about the cheaper upgrade, I started to have thoughts like "maybe, if I ever DID switch to Vista, I could get it really cheap."
I guess it shows MS might be getting a little desperate lately.
It also shows their tactics work.
I have Vista and it took me forever to warm up to this program. I like it now, but I sure had a lot of four letter words for it in the beginning. It came with this computer, so I'm sure it was written into the cost when I had it built. Have a great day RT.
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The OEM version is a lot cheaper and can't be moved from computer to computer without a lot of hassle because of MS's license.
I hope you kept the restore CDs in case something goes wrong.
Yes, sure. But I believe the way MS makes money on Vista is really by pre-loading it on branded computers. That is the bulk of the market.
It did come with my laptop. The OEM version must be quite cheap compared to the box set but still the sheer number of OEM versions being sold must make MS a lot of money indeed.
I think this "upgrade trick" you mentioned must be a part of their sales strategy as well. I'm sure only the really clueless computer users would pay the full price for an Operating System anyway
I've met the clueless. Trust me. There's a lot of them.
I have seen this before – I think it was Windows 98 or 2000 (it may even have been 95 though) that allowed an upgrade version to install a full version. I do recall feeling very happy when I installed a full OS from an upgrade version.
Nowadays, though, it affects me not at all – I only use Windows on my work machines and my employer buys it, at home I only use Linux.
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I've played with Vista and don't like it. I wouldn't buy it at any price.
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Wow! this is good news. Bought two news PC'S and wanted to get an OS.
Well I think I should not consider linux anymore
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I used Vista for more than 6 months and it was like I tried to kill myself! I don't like it at all!
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Vista is just like anything else, takes a little time to get used to but in a wek or so you can't ever remember being without it..
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