Microsoft launches Windows 8 in India; upgrade starts at Rs 699

Microsoft has launched Windows 8 for its customers in India (and around the world). While people purchasing new Windows 8 devices get the operating system by default, existing Windows customers have the option to upgrade to the new OS. The company will offer two versions, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, in addition to Windows 8 Enterprise for its business customers.

Users, who have bought their devices prior to June 2, 2012, and using Windows 7, Vista or XP, can upgrade to Windows 8 for Rs 1,999. Also, those who buy Windows 7 PCs between June 2, 2012, and January 31, 2013, can download Windows 8 Pro for Rs 699 with the Windows Upgrade Offer.

Windows 8 PCs and tablets will be available in India from 14 OEM partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HCL, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo, RP Infosystems, Sai Info System, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Wipro and Zenith Computers. These will be both touch and non-touch devices, ranging from tablets and hybrids to laptops and ultrabooks.

Beginning today, users can also access the Windows Store, available on a number of Windows 8-certified PCs and tablets. In India, a range of apps (both free and paid), such as Bharat Matrimony, BigFlix, BookMyShow, Bookyourtable, Burrp, Dhingana, Fastrack Tees, Flyte MP3, Gaana, Goibibo, Hindustan Times, ICICI Bank iMobile, ICICIDirect, JustEat, MakeMyTrip Explore, MapmyIndia, my airtel, NDTV Play, PVR Cinemas, Tarla Dalal, The Times of India, Yahoo Cricket and Zovi, have been provided for download.

Microsoft claims that as of now, over 250 different types of Windows 8-enabled devices (including 23 new SKUs of Windows 8 PCs) are available across 100 Indian cities and in more than 2,500 retail stores.

To give you a quick brief on Windows 8, it comes with a new start screen and tiles updates in real time. The OS is cloud-connected and a user only needs to sign in once with his/her Microsoft account to sync mails, calendars, contact, pictures, etc., across multiple devices. The OS also comes with Internet Explorer 10, a browser that is touch-ready and delivers a full-screen browsing experience.