Microsoft has announced it is dropping the pricing of Windows 7 upgrades by as much as 35 percent, hoping to entice some folks who have PCs with entry-level versions of Windows 7 (like Windows 7 Starter on a netbook) will step up to a spiffier version of Windows. The new upgrade pricing applies to Windows Anytime Upgrade, meaning that only existing Windows 7 users are eligible: the discounts do not apply to users looking to upgrade Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7.
Under the new pricing, Windows 7 Starter user can upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 instead of $79.99. Users of Windows 7 Home Premium can step up to Windows 7 Professional for $79.99, down from $89.99.
Microsoft says the offer will be available from participating retailers in the U.S. until July 3; Microsoft describes the offer’s availability in other markets as being “for a limited time.”