Microsoft is already striving to get through its Vista debacle and to create widespread acceptance of their new operating system, Windows 7. This is apparent in their new offer.

If you buy an upgrade copy of Windows 7 between June 26th and July 11th in the US and Canada, you can get a 50% discount over the estimated retail price for the two mainstream consumer editions. In the United States, you’ll be able to buy a Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade for $50 or get Windows 7 Professional upgrade for $100. Microsoft just announced the retail price for those two versions to be $120 and $200, respectively. There are varying dates and prices for other countries.

The offer is available online from Best Buy, Amazon, and Microsoft’s own website. In case you’re wondering. The official release date for Windows 7 is October 22, 2009. I’ve been trying the pre-release versions for a few months and am loving it.

If your computer is currently running Vista, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 7 with little difficulty. If you are running Windows XP, install and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft’s website.It will scan your PC’s system, programs and devices and show you whther or not your computer meets Windows 7 requirements. It will also pinpoint any known compatibility issues with your programs and devices.

I am disappointed to see a retail price of $100 on Windows 7 Home Premium. I think it is too expensive. But I guess that Microsoft expected many of us to say that — so they have thrown us a bone with this offer.