Windows 9 will play multiple roles when it hits the market in early 2015, and in addition to providing users with a much more familiar working environment and new features, the new OS will also help Microsoft itself get over the Windows 8 failure.

Recently, it has emerged that Windows 9 might be available free of charge for Windows 8.1 users, and now it appears that the company is also preparing a special offer for those running Windows 7.

According to Russian leaker WZor, who has already provided us with several accurate details on Windows 9, Microsoft is planning to make the upgrade from Windows 7 to this new operating system very affordable.

Although not yet confirmed, a $30 (€24) upgrade is very likely to be offered to those on Windows 7 who want to switch to Windows 9, with the whole process very likely to be conducted all automatically, without the need for a clean install.

Windows 9 on Windows 7 computers

Since Windows 7 users will be allowed to upgrade to Windows 9 automatically and at such an affordable price, some might be wondering if computers that are already running Microsoft’s operating system could also be able to run the new release.

While Microsoft is yet to disclose the system requirements for Windows 9, we’re hearing that the company has specifically worked on this aspect, so the upcoming operating system will have specs very similar to those on Windows 8.

In just a few words, all computers currently running Windows 7 and Windows 8 should be able to install and use Windows 9 just fine, without any performance drop due to the new features.

The company is expected to introduce some limitations to new features, including the multiple desktops tool, to make sure that performance won’t be dramatically affected on Windows 7 PCs.

The reasons behind this low price

Microsoft itself knows that Windows 8 isn’t quite the most successful product in its history, so the company wants to distance itself from this OS as soon as possible.

At the same time, it also wants users and organizations to get rid of Windows 8 fast, so making Windows 9 as affordable as possible is the best way to do that.

As a result, those on Windows 8.1 will be able to upgrade to Windows 9 free of charge, while Windows 7 customers will have to pay a small fee to switch to the new OS release. Users on Windows 8 will obviously be allowed to update to 8.1 and then get Windows 9 free of charge.