Family Upgrade using Boxed Retail or Downloaded Version from Micro

[Guest]

I purchased Vista Ultimate downloadable upgrade from Microsoft two nights
ago. I paid $259.99 plus tax for this edition and spent lots of my personal
time downloading the software and putting it on CD using the Digital Library
that accompanied the download.

Given that I paid more than many stores are charging for the retail boxed
version, why wouldn't I be able to use a legally downloaded version and legal
license directly from Microsoft to purchase the family upgrade?

I have 5 PCs, two which only need the Home Premium version so this upgrade
would be perfect for my needs. I don't particularly want to go spend another
$300 to purchase two retail boxed licenses when others can get them both for
$100 having purchased a less expensive retail boxed version. It just doesn't
seem fair. Seems like as long as you carry a legal license of Windows
Ultimate Vista you should be able to purchase the family upgrade.

 

[Guest]

Only the full version of Ultimate qualifies for the limited time offer of $50
upgrades=$500. (too much $$ IMO) You should use Vista on your computer before
you decide to upgrade any others. If your other computers are running XP
well, stay with that for a while until the bugs are removed from Vista.
Service Pack 1 supposedly already in the works. Better yet, save the money
for a new computer with better hardware.

 

[Guest]

I understand what you're saying, and that would make sense if it was a
qualifier according to the Microsoft website. One of the qualifying factors
is: "Have you purchased a retail boxed product of Windows Vista Ultimate for
a PC in your home?" Then Microsoft offers a way to buy the full or upgrade
boxed product. Here is the address which provides the qualifications for
the upgrade.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx#qualify

Unfortunately, my question still stands... Why does it matter if the
purchased product is via download or in the retail box? I can't return my
download in order to purchase the boxed product to qualify for the family
discount.

Thanks.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Incorrect. Either a Full or an Upgrade copy is fine for the offer. It must
be a RETAIL copy (no OEM):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx#qualify

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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[Guest]

Yes, as Richard said, it can be either full or upgrade. I bought the upgrade
version of Ultimate from a store and got the family pack. I can't believe
Microsoft would not want to make $100 off of you after spending over $250. I
paid about what you paid - $259.

So, did you click on the link below the requirements at
www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx#qualify
to see if you could buy them? All they can do is say NO, we don't want $100
more. I believe you will need your Vista Ultimate license key. Try them and
lets us know what happens.

If they won't let, if I were you, I would demand of refund from MS and go to
a retail store to buy the one in the "box". Perhaps the "box" is very
special.

 

[Guest]

Is the Microsoft Download Version OEM or Retail? I paid more buying it online
than I would have paid at Costco or Circuit City. The download should be
just as legal as the Retail Boxed copy, shouldn't it?

Incorrect. Either a Full or an Upgrade copy is fine for the offer. It must
be a RETAIL copy (no OEM):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx#qualify

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Only the full version of Ultimate qualifies for the limited time offer of
$50
upgrades=$500. (too much $$ IMO) You should use Vista on your computer
before
you decide to upgrade any others. If your other computers are running XP
well, stay with that for a while until the bugs are removed from Vista.
Service Pack 1 supposedly already in the works. Better yet, save the money
for a new computer with better hardware.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Frankly I don't know ... but would bet NOT. The Family Upgrade package
requires that you have a retail Vista DVD to install the other copies from
and I just don't think the download package will do it.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Is the Microsoft Download Version OEM or Retail? I paid more buying it
online
than I would have paid at Costco or Circuit City. The download should be
just as legal as the Retail Boxed copy, shouldn't it?

Incorrect. Either a Full or an Upgrade copy is fine for the offer. It
must
be a RETAIL copy (no OEM):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx#qualify

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Only the full version of Ultimate qualifies for the limited time offer
of
$50
upgrades=$500. (too much $$ IMO) You should use Vista on your computer
before
you decide to upgrade any others. If your other computers are running
XP
well, stay with that for a while until the bugs are removed from Vista.
Service Pack 1 supposedly already in the works. Better yet, save the
money
for a new computer with better hardware.

:

I purchased Vista Ultimate downloadable upgrade from Microsoft two
nights
ago. I paid $259.99 plus tax for this edition and spent lots of my
personal
time downloading the software and putting it on CD using the Digital
Library
that accompanied the download.

Given that I paid more than many stores are charging for the retail
boxed
version, why wouldn't I be able to use a legally downloaded version
and
legal
license directly from Microsoft to purchase the family upgrade?

I have 5 PCs, two which only need the Home Premium version so this
upgrade
would be perfect for my needs. I don't particularly want to go spend
another
$300 to purchase two retail boxed licenses when others can get them
both
for
$100 having purchased a less expensive retail boxed version. It just
doesn't
seem fair. Seems like as long as you carry a legal license of Windows
Ultimate Vista you should be able to purchase the family upgrade.

 

[Guest]

Your download was retail! Go for the Family Pack!!

Is the Microsoft Download Version OEM or Retail? I paid more buying it online
than I would have paid at Costco or Circuit City. The download should be
just as legal as the Retail Boxed copy, shouldn't it?

Incorrect. Either a Full or an Upgrade copy is fine for the offer. It must
be a RETAIL copy (no OEM):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx#qualify

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Only the full version of Ultimate qualifies for the limited time offer of
$50
upgrades=$500. (too much $$ IMO) You should use Vista on your computer
before
you decide to upgrade any others. If your other computers are running XP
well, stay with that for a while until the bugs are removed from Vista.
Service Pack 1 supposedly already in the works. Better yet, save the money
for a new computer with better hardware.

:

I purchased Vista Ultimate downloadable upgrade from Microsoft two nights
ago. I paid $259.99 plus tax for this edition and spent lots of my
personal
time downloading the software and putting it on CD using the Digital
Library
that accompanied the download.

Given that I paid more than many stores are charging for the retail boxed
version, why wouldn't I be able to use a legally downloaded version and
legal
license directly from Microsoft to purchase the family upgrade?

I have 5 PCs, two which only need the Home Premium version so this
upgrade
would be perfect for my needs. I don't particularly want to go spend
another
$300 to purchase two retail boxed licenses when others can get them both
for
$100 having purchased a less expensive retail boxed version. It just
doesn't
seem fair. Seems like as long as you carry a legal license of Windows
Ultimate Vista you should be able to purchase the family upgrade.