Windows 8 Price Increase Starting February 2013

According to the official Windows blog, Microsoft is offering the $39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade price until January 31st 2013, at which point the pricing will scale substantially. The entire updated price matrix is as follows:

Windows 8 upgrade editions (starting in February 2013):

• The Windows 8 Pro upgrade edition will be available online and at retail for $199.99 MSRP (U.S.).
• The Windows 8 upgrade edition will be available online and at retail for $119.99 MSRP (U.S.).
• The Windows 8 Pro Pack will cost $99.99 MSRP (U.S.).
• The Windows 8 Media Center Pack will cost $9.99 MSRP (U.S.).

While the current low price of $39.99 is promo-based, and while this new matrix is similarly priced in accordance with previous Windows operating systems, Windows 8 does not have the best track record. Due to its radical changes, many people are sticking with Windows 7, and this price “upgrade” certainly will not be winning over any new users.

If you plan on upgrading in the near/distant future, here is your last chance to purchase Windows 8 (with Windows Media Center) at its promo price. Here’s hoping Microsoft reverses their decision…but we wouldn’t bet on that.