There’s a pretty strong rumor spreading throughout the web stating that Vista users will get a free upgrade to Microsoft’s newest operating system Windows 7 upon its release.

Vista received pretty poor reviews after its worldwide launch on January 30, 2007, mostly due to incompatibility issues with some software and hardware. Microsoft has been trying to repackage Vista over the last 2 years, but has struggled to repair the public image. In response to slumping sales Microsoft is preparing to release Windows 7.

Unlike its predecessor, Windows 7 is intended to be an incremental upgrade from Vista, with the goal of being fully compatible with device drivers, applications, and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible.

So what does this mean for those of us (yes, me included) who purchased Vista just two short years ago. A FREE UPGRADE!! Well, that’s the rumor. PC Magazine has been kicking this rumor around as well giving it increased credibility.

Not all Vista users will get the upgrade though. “They” say that users who buy Vista computers or software between July 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010 will be the ones eligible for the free Windows 7 upgrade.

I’m thinking that the rest of us who bought Vista when it first came out should at least get Windows 7 at a discounted price, say $50.