Let's face it: While some of us sat on our hands to wait out the launch of Microsoft Windows 7 before buying a new PC, many others bit the bullet and bought a new desktop or laptop in the last few months. But with Windows 7 now available, you may be asking yourself, am I eligible for a free upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system? If I am, how do I go about getting it? By checking out the manufacturer's site? Going to the store I bought my system from and asking for a free upgrade? Making burnt offerings at the altar of Microsoft? Fear not, we have the answers.

We asked PC manufacturers what their policies are regarding customers getting a free Windows 7 upgrade kit for their systems. Any system purchased from June 26, 2009 to January 10, 2010 is eligible for the free upgrade. The upgrade kit will give you two options. The first is a simple upgrade, which should keep intact all the files, apps, and settings in the system you're upgrading. The other setting, called "Custom" is essentially a clean install of the Windows 7 OS, and also offers the ability to create a partition, reformat your drive, etc. For more details, check out Microsoft's site.

Keep in mind that with an upgrade, you have to go with whatever bit version of Vista your system had. If you had a 32-bit Vista OS, for instance, you will have to upgrade to 32-bit Windows 7. Likewise, if you have a 64-bit Vista OS, you will have to upgrade to 64-bit Windows 7.

The version of Windows 7 you upgrade to also depends on the version you of Vista you have on your system. PCs with Vista Home Premium upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium. Systems with Vista Business upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. Systems with Vista Ultimate upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate.

One unfortunate caveat is reserved for those with systems that come with Vista Home Basic or Windows XP. Those systems are not upgradeable to Windows 7, and thus aren't eligible for a free upgrade kit. The good news is that you can still install Windows 7 on Vista Home Basic- or Windows XP-equipped PCs, as long as you do a clean install (rather than an upgrade), which means you also have to actually purchase a copy of the Windows 7 OS. You should also make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements for loading the new OS (Check here to see if your desktop or laptop fits the bill).

As with any upgrade, we highly recommend (nay, beg) that you back up your files and settings to an external hard drive or a DVD or CD before you start. Below are the policies of each PC manufacturer for acquiring a free Windows 7 upgrade kit, as well as useful sites to check out your system's eligibility and how to order an upgrade kit. You can also check if you'll have to pay postage and handling fees to get the upgrade kit (this varies by retailer).

Acer
Whether you buy your Acer system from an online retailer or a store, the policy is the same. Customers with eligible systems should go to Acer's upgrade page, where you'll be walked through the process. It helps to have your system's serial number available. This is a 22-digit number. For laptops, the serial number is located on the bottom. There will be a white label with 22 characters starting with "LX." For desktops, the serial number is typically located on the right side, near the bottom of the side panel. There will be a white label with a 22 character S/N: starting with "PS" or "PT." After ordering, the upgrade kit will be mailed to customers.

ASUS
ASUS customers with eligible systems can apply for their upgrade on the Web site. It's a good idea to have your system's serial number available. Customers with an EeePC laptop can find their serial number on a sticker at the base of the system. It's listed right below the barcode after the letters "SN." Customers with other ASUS laptop models can also find the sticker at the base of their systems. The serial number will either have 10 or 15 characters and be preceded by the letters "SN." For desktops, the sticker should be either at the side or back of the system, with the 12-digit alphanumeric (letter and number) code found right under the upper barcode (there are two) on the sticker.

Dell
According to Dell, it doesn't matter if you purchased your system directly from the company or from another retailer (such as Best Buy or Staples), as long you bought it in the time period stated above. Customers with an eligible Dell system should go to Dell's site to register their system. The site will walk you through the process. It's a good idea to note down the model name of your system as well as your desktop or laptop's Service Tag. This is a unique five- to seven- digit alphanumeric (letter and number) code that you will find on a white barcoded label affixed to your Dell computer. For desktops, the label can be found on the back or on the side panel. For notebooks, the label can be found on the bottom of the system. After you successfully register your system, Dell will send you a Windows 7 DVD for installation. The site also includes a section on frequently asked questions.

eMachines
Customers with eligible systems (whether bought from an online retailer or in a store) should go to eMachines's upgrade site, where you'll be walked through the process. It helps to have your system's serial number available. As with Acer systems (since eMachines is owned by Acer), this is a 22-digit number. For laptops, the serial number is located on the bottom. There will be a white label with 22 characters starting with "LX." For desktops, the serial number is typically located on the right side, near the bottom of the side panel. There will be a white label with a 22 character S/N: starting with "PS" or "PT." After ordering, the upgrade kit will be mailed to customers.

Fujitsu
According to Fujitsu, customers with a qualifying LifeBook notebook with Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Business are eligible to receive a free comparable version of Windows 7. They can visit the upgrade page on Fujitsu's Web site and follow the instructions there. It will be good to have on hand the system's serial number (on a sticker most likely on the bottom of the laptop). The serial number is an alphanumeric (letter and number) code preceded by the letters "S/N."The part number is an alphanumeric code preceded by the letters" P/N." When they order, customers will receive the OS recovery media and another disc with drivers and applications.

Gateway
Those with eligible Gateway systems should go to Gateway's upgrade site, where you'll be walked through the process. Before you start, we recommend you have your system's serial number available. As with Acer systems (since, like eMachines, Gateway is owned by Acer), this is a 22-digit number. For laptops, the serial number is located on the bottom. There will be a white label with 22 characters starting with "LX." For desktops, the serial number is typically located on the right side, near the bottom of the side panel. There will be a white label with a 22 character S/N: starting with "PS" or "PT." After ordering, the upgrade kit will be mailed to customers.

Hewlett-Packard
HP customers can visit the company's site to check on their systems for upgrade eligibility, to register, and to get answers about their PCs and current operating systems. After Windows 7 launches, qualifying customers will receive the Windows 7 upgrade and an upgrade utility disk with a step-by-step guide for installation. Orders for the upgrade kit will be accepted from June 26, 2009 until February 15, 2010. Proof of purchase must be submitted and postmarked no later than March 1, 2010.

It's a good idea to have both your product number and service number available when you order the upgrade. Both can be found either on a sticker on the box your system came in or on a sticker on the underside of your laptop or the side or back of your desktop. Details of HP's upgrade program can be found here.

Lenovo
Customers with eligible Lenovo PCs can check out Lenovo's site for the latest on how to get an upgrade. It's a good idea to have your system's seven-digit product number handy, as it's requested at some point in the process. For ThinkPads and 3000 series laptops, you can find it on a sticker at the bottom of your system (it's labeled "Type"). For ThinkCentre, NetVista, and 3000 series desktops, the sticker can be found on the front right panel or on the back of the tower. Those who order an upgrade and are found to be eligible will be sent a CD.

MSI
According to MSI, customers with an eligible system can find a certificate for a free Windows 7 upgrade in the box their system came in. They simply have to fill out and mail the certificate to Microsoft to receive the upgrade kit. For more information, MSI customers can go to the Windows 7 page on MSI's Web site.

Sony
According to Sony Spring 09 systems bought on June 26 or later should be eligible for the upgrade, regardless of whether they were purchased from Sony or from other retailers. Those with eligible Sony systems can order an upgrade at Sony's upgrade page on its site. The page offers information on Windows 7, as well as instructions on how to order the upgrade. If you're actually using the system you will be upgrading, Sony has an "auto-detect" feature that will get the information about your system that it needs to get the upgrade. Sony will then send you the installation disc.

Toshiba
Toshiba says that if you purchased Toshiba laptop running Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010, then it is eligible for the upgrade. To apply for the upgrade, customers should visit the upgrade page on the company's site. Toshiba advises customers to have their system's Part Number, Serial Number, Place of Purchase, and Purchase Date available when they fill out the form on the site. The upgrade kit will be mailed to them afterwards.

Velocity Micro
According to Velocity Micro, which ships their systems directly and is not available from third-party retailers, the company can currently ship new systems with Win 7 installed. Systems ordered since June 26 have shipped with Windows 7 upgrade coupons. The coupon directs the user to a page on Velocity Micro's site where they can enter their address. They will them get a free copy of the Windows 7 upgrade kit mailed to them directly from Microsoft. For older systems that miss the eligibility cut-off date, Velocity Micro can only sell the OEM copies of Win 7 it gets with new hardware. That means that the company would have to be doing a system upgrade in order to sell these customers an OEM copy.

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