Microsoft Anytime Upgrade is a new system implemented by microsoft in order to  allow customers seeking more features to easily upgrade to another version of windows vista.

Previously, Microsoft didn’t have such methods in place to influence users to go out and buy a legal copy of their operating system. With this new system a person who has purchased a copy of Microsoft’s newest operating system which is  Windows Vista can easily upgrade a more feature filled version like the premium edition.

The key advantage being the cost of upgrade. A user who has purchased the most basic edition of windows vista can upgrade to Home premium with only a fraction of the cost. Full price for a legal copy of Home premium is about $159 but with this new system in place, you can get a activation key to upgrade for only $79.

Another system in place to promote legal usage of Windows Vista is Windows Family Discount. This allows a costumer who has purchased a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate to get licenses for Home premium at a very low price. Basically the costumer would be allowed licenses to Home premium that can be installed on up to two PCs for only $49 rather than having to pay the full price $159 for each one of your systems.

Microsoft’s decision to introduce these discounts will definitely appeal to more costumers looking to buy a legal copy instead of a pirated one. If a user was forced to buy new licenses at the full price for each system at their given house, the use of pirated copies would become much more appealing.

They should have come with such ideas in the past as it would have decreased the amount of pirated copies floating around the internet. Note that I chose to use my words carefully by stating decrease but not end piracy. There will always be people who choose to use pirated copies rather than a legitimate one.