Get Laplink PCmover Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant for free
Today only, you can get this $30 utility free of charge. It can help smooth your move from Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7.
Still plugging along with Windows XP or Vista? Dreading the prospect of upgrading to Windows 7 because Microsoft offers no direct upgrade path? (More on that in a bit.)
Help is on the way. Today only, in honor of its 29th birthday, Laplink is offering PCmover Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant absolutely free. It regularly sells for $29.95.
To get the software, click here, then click the little "Add to cart" box in the upper-right corner of the free-PCmover banner. Scroll down and click "Proceed to Cart." Follow the instructions on the following page.
Not interested? Laplink is also running a contest, with a Lenovo laptop as the grand prize and weekly giveaways of software and other goodies.
PCmover is designed to take the hassle out of upgrading to Windows 7. What makes it such a hassle? If you're an XP user, you can't do an in-place upgrade -- meaning Windows 7 effectively wipes your programs and data as part of the installation process. The same is true if you're moving from a 32-bit version of Vista to 64-bit Windows 7.
PCmover overcomes that limitation, packaging up all your programs and data and then restoring them after Windows 7 finishes installing.
Want to learn more? Read CNET's review of PCmover Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant, which includes a few informative tips on using it successfully. It's an effective tool, but make absolutely sure you have an external backup of all your important data. Also, read all the directions first.
Even if you're not planning to upgrade right away (I know plenty of users who are still perfectly happy with XP), it might be worth grabbing this freebie for when the day comes.
Bonus deal: Holy cheap storage, Batman! Today only, JustDeals has a 32GB microSD card with USB adapter for $14.77 shipped when you apply coupon code DEALNEWS1 at checkout. That's an awfully cheap way to add a boatload of storage to your smartphone or tablet.
Bonus deal No. 2: Did someone say tablet? While supplies last, Fry's has the refurbished 16GB Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet for $179.99, plus $6.99 for shipping. That's the lowest price I've seen on the 16GB model, which includes a one-year warranty, same as new Nooks.
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