Windows 7: Upgrade W7 Ultimate to W8 whatever

Does it make sense to upgrade my Windows 7 OS to W8. My Windows 7 is the Ultimate package. I don't even know the costs of the various packages.

Nope, Windows 8 reeks!

"Make sense". That means different things to different people.

Win 8 has a radically different look when first booted that most people find frustrating at first. Many, including me, find it a major step backward in usability. It's not exactly made for a mouse and keyboard user.

I assume you can still get the preview and give it a test ride if you want.

If you can't stand to be without the latest, never mind if it's the greatest, go for it.

If you have a more practical mind set, you might not be amused. I can't think of any over-riding reason to go to Win 8, but anyone who buys a new PC a few months from now will likely be forced into it. I expect to see major bitching and moaning at that time from those who have not previously tried it.

If you're a basic user planning on binning your keyboard and mouse and getting a touchscreen, I think Windows 8 is for you.

Best to wait until it goes "main stream" before picking up the upgrade. Remember Vista...

Blockie I'd shrink your C partition and do a test install of WIn8 preview, try it out as suggested until you realize as many have that it has no place on a desktop, or are willing to overlook that because of performance improvements. Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista - Windows 8 Forums

Only advantage in my personal opinion is the ability to start kicking WinSXS back by removing feature packages, that's if space is critical for you

You could create a VHD of W8 (it's not difficult).
You wouldn't have to repartition anything.

I used this tutorial for W8 (DP, CP, RP and Ent):
Mister Goodcat | Installing Windows 8 Developer Preview as bootable VHD

An alternative tutorial:
Dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 using a VHD | TechRepublic

The VHDs worked great, W8 not so much (unless you totally customise it with 3rd party software).

Question answered. I'll wait and see. I am satisfied with what I got.
Thank you, all.
Bill

Windows 8 is terrible, make a partition and install it. You will see, yuk . JMO