Come Feb. 1, and Windows 8 Pro upgrade to cost $200

BANGALORE, INDIA: Any plans to upgrade your operating system to Windows 8? Better hurry up!

Microsoft has announced that starting February 1, the price you have to pay for an upgrade to either Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro is going to quintuple. In simple math, it is going to increase five times than what you have to pay currently, especially for the Pro version, though it is not clear yet which geographies it would be effected in.

An entry on the official Windows blog by Brandon LeBlanc a couple of days ago, however, gives an unambiguous update that it is going to shoot up to $200 in the U.S. It is currently $40 in the region.

"Windows 8 upgrade editions will be priced as follows starting in February: The Windows 8 Pro upgrade edition will be available online and at retail for $199.99 MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) (U.S.). The Windows 8 upgrade edition will be available online and at retail for $119.99 MSRP (U.S.)," states the blog.

But, it adds, "We have our promotional offer available until January 31st 2013, you can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $39.99 ERP (U.S.) via Windows.com using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant or pick up a DVD copy at a local retailer for just $69.99 ERP (U.S.). If you bought an eligible Windows 7 PC between June 2nd and January 31st, 2013 - be sure to register for the Windows Upgrade Offer and upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only $14.99 ERP (U.S.)."

If Microsoft decides on a similar pricing hike in India, it would mean from the current Rs. 1,999 for older PCs that were purchased before June 2, 2012, it would skyrocket to almost Rs. 10,000. For those PCs purchased between June 2, 2012 and January 31 this year, the current price of Windows 8 Pro is Rs. 699.

"If you had purchased a system with a licensed copy of Windows 7 pre-installed on it after 1 July 2012, you can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for approx. Rs. 699 for an online upgrade, by downloading the required installation files," says the manufacturer's Indian website.

It isn't clear yet whether Microsoft would increase the price in India as well.

Do you think it is worth paying that money for an upgrade. Here is a word of advice from our sister publication, PCQuest, especially to SMEs.