HP promises free Windows 7 upgrades

HP will supply users with a two-disk upgrade pack

HP is planning to offer free Windows 7 upgrades when the new operating system is launched in October.

The company said that it would be offering the free upgrades to business and consumer models purchased between 25 June and 22 October when Microsoft officially releases the new version of Windows.

HP said that it will deliver the update to users through a pair of disks. One disk will contain the actual update, while the second will contain an update assistant tool that will install drivers and other tools to run the OS on HP systems.

The update campaign is part of what both companies are praising as a successful collaboration between Microsoft and HP in the development and deployment of Windows 7.

"HP has helped guide Microsoft through the development of Windows 7, collaborating and offering unique insight and counsel on emerging technologies,” said Carlos Montalvo, vice president of experience marketing for HP's personal systems group.

"Because of this early collaboration, HP has engineered truly innovative PCs, from our thin and light notebooks and high-performance desktops to our acclaimed TouchSmart PCs, providing advanced performance, compelling user experiences and more functionality overall.”

Microsoft is said to be making stronger efforts to collaborate with vendors on the development of Windows 7. The lack of collaboration between Microsoft and hardware vendors in outlining hardware requirements was viewed by many as one of the major reasons for the lacklustre uptake of Windows Vista, Microsoft's last major operating system release.