As of July computer manufactures such as HP, ASUS and Dell will be allowing for free upgrades to Windows 7 once it is released.  The process will be about the same as it was when Windows Vista was preparing to be released.  The customer will either register with the OEM or the retail partner of the manufacture.  Then once Windows 7 is released the manufacture will send the free copy of Windows to their home.  Then from that point they can either do it themselves or go to a computer service company such as Geek Squad and have it installed.  If they choose to go the pay someone else route as most will, it can get quite pricey depending on the place and the work needed to be done.

Most people when they get a computer actually use it.  This can be documents, photos, or even something as simple as bookmarks of their favorite websites.  Most typical computer users are not savvy enough to know how to backup that information or even know that it is necessary.  Typical service from Geek Squad in-store:

Data Backup:: $99-$159 (depends on quantity of files)

Operating System Install (Windows 7):: $129

Total not including taxes:: $228- $288

Again that is only the basic costs and does not include anti-virus or other upgrades that may be needed.  So at this point is it really a “free” upgrade to Windows 7?  The customer does not have to pay for the actual copy of Windows 7 but they will still end up with a large bill in the long run.  Unfortunately this is a huge sales tactic that many people fall for because they don’t actually do their research or even think about it.  And I am sure that many of the salesmen out there selling the computers are not going to be the ones to tell them that there will be additional fees.  All they have ever cared about is making their sales numbers.

And having worked for a very long time on the support side of things for the average consumer I am not one to advocate the average person to install an operating system.  Is it easy? Absolutely! Will you screw it up if you don’t know what you are doing? Probably.  Basically if your not sure what your doing either find a good guide (which we will have for Windows 7 when it releases) and print it out or get professional help.  The neighbor next door doesn’t really count as they typically make things worse.

Here are a few other sites that dive more in to the details about it:: Neowin, Computer World, TechARP