Windows 8 ... Info and deals that may still work but are past their expiration dates YMMV Professional is available for $69.99 as an Educational purchase ongoing

not what I wanted to hear, but thanks boltman!

Quote : GOD MODE... Right-click the Desktop and select New --> Folder. That creates a folder on the Desktop named "New folder." Rename the folder: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

What the heck is God mode?

Quote from boltman2007 : If you aren't sure if you'll want 8 Professional... read this list of significant changes from 7 Support for ReFS the new file system, newer better than NTFS

I don't see how features of Win8 Server are relevant to this thread.

Quote from faizoff : What the heck is God mode?

It's Control Panel search with an empty search string, more or less, so it returns all possible settings.

Not new with Win8.

Quote from sunnybyday : Constantly updating live tiles are way modern than static icons on a desktop.

Vista had widgets. Win9x had (with IE4 or later) Active Desktop with dynamic tiles.

Everyone hated them then, why the love now?

Quote from faizoff : What the heck is God mode?

God mode is simply a shortcut to a folder with shortcuts to all the control panel options

Here in where I work, we have a LOT of serial numbers (Windows 7 Pro) of new laptops (Lenovo) that was purchased recently. Those serial numbers are not being used because we use our own Corporate Image.

Can I use those unused serial numbers to get the $15 upgrade?

Also, the newer laptops now have Windows 8 on it. We don't use so .. is there a way for me to get those serial numbers and use it on my own NON-Lenovo computers?

Thanks for the answers about God mode. didn't realize thats what it was called. I knew the functionality though.

Quote from sunnybyday : You may or may not like it, but it is difficult to argue that Windows 8 is not a big upgrade.

Rather easy, actually. Aside from the Metro UI, for most users, they're going to see it as Windows 7.1 and nothing more. But they've got quite the list of upgrade bullet points which makes it seem more substantial than it is. For most users (at least, the ones who work around that defective user interface), it is a mild upgrade.

Quote from sunnybyday : The desktop, IMO, is a big improvement too. Constantly updating live tiles are way modern than static icons on a desktop.

I think you've drunk the kool-aid. The Metro UI in Windows 8 is generally unpopular and user hostile [youtube.com], save for some rabid, enthusiastic, and vocal fans.

I see you praise the Metro user-interface as being "modern". Having a melted clock [thinkgeek.com] is modern, but then again, it isn't very useful, is it? My favorite part of Metro is that the GUI should now be called "Microsoft Window". You can have ONE app on the screen at a time. Full screen. Wow. We've gone from Microsoft Windows to Microsoft Window. Very modern, yes?

Still, I can say that Windows 8 is a positive if you use a third party tool to work around its interface, and then you can enjoy the mild benefits (for the typical user) beyond Windows 7.

All the Windows 8 hate is just resistance to change. I was in the same boat not even two weeks ago believe it or not. However, I had to setup a new clients theater room and he wanted his PC set up on his big screen.

This guy didn't have a clue about his old XP machine much less Windows 8 which came pre-installed on his new computer. As I was setting it up I realized how much easier it was to use than I thought it was going to be and how much easier it was for him to grasp the directions I was giving him. It also looked gorgeous compared to Win7 on my big screen at the house.

Two days later I bought a key for myself for my next build and a key for a friend who was refreshing his gaming computer to play on a big screen. He couldn't be happier. Now talking the girlfriend into using the Metro UI is going to be the biggest hurdle to climb, but MS convinced me.

Quote from keplenk : Here in where I work, we have a LOT of serial numbers (Windows 7 Pro) of new laptops (Lenovo) that was purchased recently. Those serial numbers are not being used because we use our own Corporate Image. Can I use those unused serial numbers to get the $15 upgrade? Also, the newer laptops now have Windows 8 on it. We don't use so .. is there a way for me to get those serial numbers and use it on my own NON-Lenovo computers?

I'm 95% sure the keys can be used to install windows 8 on any computer and you actually enter the product key and not the serial to get the upgrade pricing.

Quote from boltman2007 : There is still available the $15 upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for new PCs running Windows 7.... until end of the month. February 28, 2013.

Are there issues with traded codes (amazon GC for $15 promo), being tied to the original acct that obtained the promo code?

Is it possible to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro from Windows 8 Basic?

Quote from jdowdy10 : All the Windows 8 hate is just resistance to change.

Incorrect. Most of the Windows 8 hate is due to the user-hostile interface that was bolted on top of the existing interface, resulting in a cascade of user interface problems. Or, you can just watch an entertaining video [youtube.com] where someone breaks it down for you.

If you listen to his entertaining arguments, you're going to have an easier time seeing that the problems are with Microsoft, not with the majority of its users.

I see little reason to upgrade from 7. 8 is nothing more than Microsoft's attempt to leverage windows at home in an attempt to take on Apple and Google (ios/android) in the mobile/tablet market by forcing us to us a UI designed for tablets and touchscreens at home.

All that other stuff could be added to 7 right now.

So even if Windows 8 was free, I would stillnot use it.