MS Adds Office 2007 to Vista Coupon Program

Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed earlier press reports that it would offer free and discounted Vista upgrades to holiday PC buyers, however added that those with Office 2003 preinstalled would also be eligible for a upgrade to a comparable version of Office 2007.

To qualify, consumers would have to purchase a Windows XP computer between October 26 and March 15, 2007 - a two-day longer window than previously announced. Depending on the operating system version the user is upgrading from, the copy of Windows Vista would either be free or at a discount.

In the US, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to Windows Vista Home Premium, and upgrades from Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Business 64, will be offered for a nominal fee.

Upgrades Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic and to Windows Vista Home Premium would be available for $49 and $79 USD, as previously reported.

However, what differs from earlier reports is the addition of Office 2003 to the program. Users wishing to upgrade to the comparable version of Office 2007 would be able to do so by simply paying the cost of shipping and handling.

In both cases, consumers would receive a coupon that would need to be submitted in order to purchase the software at a discounted price.

"So with this program, you can buy a PC with Windows XP now and upgrade it to Windows Vista once we've launched commercially," Vista product manager Nick White said. "How's that for making your purchasing decision a little easier?"