Windows 7: Reports of hidden upgrade fees

It has been reported that listed ‘free’ upgrades to Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 7 software are actually not free at all, according to a study from a consumer group.

As reported from Computer World, customers are being charged fees of around $11.25 to $17 – according to Edgar Dworsky, the editor of Consumerworld.org and Mouseprint.org.

The study found that while some computer makers are offering the upgrade for free, others are charging customers up to $17 for “shipping, handling, and fulfillment fees.”

As you expected these hidden costs are unsuspecting to the public eye and very misleading indeed. Companies listed in the study include Acer, who are the only ones to offer the upgrade entirely free for all customers. On the other hand – Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, Toshiba and Sony only offer a free upgrade for ‘some users’, but charge a fee for others.

Full story over at CW, let us know if you have anything to share on this subject.