Microsoft might be ready to launch its Office 2013 upgrade guarantee program as early as next month. ZDNet reports that the program, designed to offer a free copy of Office 2013 to those purchasing a 2010 edition, may launch on October 19th. Microsoft has not yet revealed exactly when Office 2013 will be available in final form, so an upgrade guarantee program would likely run for just over six months like previous ones.

Office 2013 is rumored to Release to Manufacturing (RTM) in November, with a general availability in early 2013. Microsoft previously offered an upgrade guarantee program for those who purchased Office 2007 shortly before Office 2010's availability. That program ran for seven months, allowing those who purchased Office 2007 to upgrade to 2010 at no extra cost during the promotion.

ZDNet managed to obtain screenshots of the upgrade details which allegedly appeared on office.com/offer. In them, users who purchase Office 2010 Home & Student, Home & Business 2010, or University 2010 will be offered an Office 365 Home Premium subscription or an equivalent Office 2013 standalone suite. Office University 2010 will be offered an Office 365 University sub, and Office for Mac customers will be offered an Office 365 Home Premium subscription. To quality, the program will allegedly run between October 19th and April 30th, 2013.