"shashi_mn" <shashi_mn@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0A48CDBD-E101-4980-B5D8-A3345969C19B@xxxxxx
> Hi,
>
> I plan to purchase windows operating system for my Home PC. I had a doubt
> regarding Windows xp home edition.
>
> If I purchase Windows XP home edition now, will the upgrade to Windows
> Vista
> be free of cost when microsoft stops supporting Windows XP ( in 2008? ).
>
> In general does the upgrade to the next windows version come free? Or do
> we
> need to pay for the upgrade.
>
> Thanks,
> Shashi.
>
Hi:
'Upgrades' from Microsoft usually indicate the new version - which one
usually has to pay for.
Don't confuse them with Service Packs. Microsoft has a tradition of
releasing the service packs for free. SP1 (Service Pack One) for XP was free
as was SP2 and, presumably, when/if it in arrives in 2008, SP3 will also be
no charge. Most people simply download them or use Windows update to get
them, but you can also get them on CD-ROM from Microsoft at no charge except
shipping. Generally they fix all the known bugs and sometimes add some
features. SP2, for instance, added security features to Windows XP.
Your options: You can upgrade to Vista now, or stay with XP and download the
XP SP3 in 2008 should it come out [and perhaps switch to Vista later].
Saucy