Upgrading to Windows 8 will cost just $39.99 when it's made available later this year, Microsoft has announced.

According to the company, users in 131 countries will be able to purchase the software as an update, and get Windows Media Center as a free add-on.

“Starting at general availability, if your PC is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 you will qualify to download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 in 131 markets,” said Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc in a company blog.

"If you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the 'add features' option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade."

Microsoft said customers purchasing the upgrade from its website would be guided through the download and upgrade process, with tools to highlight potential problems.

According to Microsoft, the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will check hardware and software for compatibility and provide a report detailing issues users need to address before or after the upgrade.

Upgrade limitations

Although users upgrading from Windows 7 will be able to carry all their personalisations forward to Windows 8, anyone using older versions would see some loss of functionality,

“You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and bring everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps,” Microsoft said.

“If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, you will be able to bring along your Windows settings and personal files, and if you are upgrading from Windows XP you will only be able to bring along your personal files.”

The company also said a DVD version of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro would be available for $69.99 during a promotion that runs until the end of January 2013.

The offer comes on top of a previously announced offer for new PC buyers to upgrade from Windows 7 to 8 for $15.

UK pricing has yet to be confirmed.

-- This article is taken from PC Pro magazine.