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Working with computer sellers, Microsoft's programme will provide some consumers with certain low-cost upgrades to Vista. It will apply to PCs that are pre-loaded with various flavours of Windows XP or 2003 Microsoft Office software. Note, however, that not all Windows XP machines may not be subject to the offer - deals will be vendor specific.

For some flavours of XP, upgrades could be available for 'a nominal fee', according to Microsoft. Other versions will lead to Vista upgrades being offered at a 50 per cent discount. This is not a 'free Vista upgrade' offer. (Also note that whether the Vista Home Basic or Home Premium editions are offered could depend on the version of Windows XP involved.)

With the arrival of Windows Vista for consumers delayed until after the all-important Christmas season, the Express Upgrade programme is intended to encourage more people to eventually make the switch to Vista and Office 2007 in the New Year. In essence, Microsoft wants as many users as possible to migrate to their new platform, and PC builders want to ship as many computers as possible in what is the most important sales period.

'Our customers can shop for a new PC with confidence this holiday season because of the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista and Office Technology Guarantee programs,' said Mike Sievert, corporate VP of Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft. 'These programmes ensure people

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will have a great experience with their Windows XP-based PCs today, and an even better one when Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office release become available.'

Microsoft states that the upgrade to Windows Vista could be offered for free or at a discounted price (note that shipping and handling charges may also be levied), depending on the system sellers and their specific offers. Microsoft also states the offer will vary by geographic region.

The programme will run from today until 15 March 2007. More information can be found at www.windowsvista.com/expressupgrade, and you should also look for the Windows Vista Capable logo, which indicates a machine has the muscle to run the new OS.

Among those participating in the programme is PC World, which states its entire range of laptops and PCs has the processing power to run Windows Vista. It will be offering two levels of Express Upgrade. All PCs and laptops priced at £399 and above will entitle buyers to a free Express Upgrade, to Windows Vista Home Premium edition. For machines below £399, customers will be offered the Windows Vista Home Basic edition for half the recommended retail price. Note that there may be postage and packaging charges.

'This is the most radical re-engineering of the Microsoft operating system in several years and the launch has been widely anticipated,' said PC World's commercial director, Bryan Magrath. 'We're delighted to be able to provide a Vista upgrade guarantee to all our customers in the important pre-Christmas period.'

Expect all the major system builders to take part. Fujitsu Siemens, for example, has stated that all upgrades from Windows Media Center Edition, XP Professional, Tablet PC Edition, and XP Professional x64 Edition will be free of charge.

Currently the consumer Home editions of Windows Vista are expected to be released in late January, but no exact date has yet been confirmed.