By Chris Nicholls

SYDNEY: Microsoft has announced two new Windows Vista-related promotions to help boost boxed edition sales of the operating system. 

The first promotion, called ‘Upgrade with Confidence’, will give customers a $75 voucher to be used to purchase their choice of technical support services, including upgrading their old PC, transferring all content and digital media, updating drivers for devices and broadband services or a demonstration of key features

The second promotion will offer consumers who already own Vista to upgrade to the ‘Ultimate’ editions of either the Home or Business versions.

The ‘Windows Anytime Upgrade’ promotion will retail for $249 for Home Premium users and $199 for Business users.

As well as the standard Ultimate edition features, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore, Windows Movie Maker and upgraded security features, customers who buy the upgrade will receive Windows Vista Ultimate Extras such as Windows Hold’Em poker, Windows BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool, Windows DreamScene, Secure Online Key Backup and a multiple language pack.
 
The promotion will run in Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Dick Smith Electronics, Domayne, JB Hi-Fi, Harris Technology, Myer, Leading Edge and City Software stores, among others.