Windows Vista Beta 2, RC1 and RC2 set to expire

On 31 May 2007, all Customer Preview Program (CPP) pre-release versions of Windows Vista will expire.  If you are running a pre-release version of Windows Vista (Beta 2, RC1 or RC2), you will begin to receive warning notifications about the upcoming expiration on 18 May.  To avoid work disruption and loss of data, we strongly recommend that customers running any of these pre-release versions of Windows Vista migrate their PCs to the final version of Windows Vista prior to 31 May.

For more information on migrating away from CPP versions, please go to http://www.windowsvista.com/preview.mspx.  We've included below a listing of frequently asked questions to help those of you still running a pre-release version of Windows Vista on your PCs to get started.

CPP Expiration FAQ

1. Can I install editions of Windows Vista other than Windows Vista Ultimate?

Yes, it is possible for you to install other editions (except for Windows Vista Enterprise) of Windows Vista (e.g., Windows Vista Home Premium).  To install a different edition, you will need to purchase the Upgrade version of that edition and perform a clean installation.  You must back up any data, as this process will overwrite all data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition.  The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable.

2. Are there any discounts available to Customer Preview Program participants?

There are no product discounts specifically for participants in the Customer Preview Program; however, because you are using a pre-release version of Windows Vista Ultimate, you can purchase and use the Upgrade version of Windows Vista.

3. What will happen to my data after the expiration date?

After 31 May 2007, customers who continue to use pre-release versions of Windows Vista will be able to log in for 2-hour sessions to retrieve data.  After 2 hours of use, the PC will automatically reboot without providing the opportunity to save data.  The opportunity to log in normally for these 2-hour sessions will be available only until 28 August 2007.  It is strongly recommended that PC users running any of these pre-release versions of Windows Vista migrate their PCs to the final version of Windows Vista or another operating system prior to 31 May.

4. What will happen to my PC after the expiration date?

After 31 May 2007, customers who continue to use pre-release versions of Windows Vista will be able to log in for 2-hour sessions to retrieve data.  After 2 hours of use, the PC will automatically reboot without providing the opportunity to save data.  The opportunity to log in normally for these 2-hour sessions will only be available until 28 August 2007.  It is strongly recommended that PC users running any of these pre-release versions of Windows Vista migrate their PCs to the final version of Windows Vista or another operating system prior to 31 May.

5.  Is there a breakdown of the upgrade options available to users of the various CPP pre-releases?

From/To 

Windows Vista Ultimate RTM

Other editions  of Windows Vista RTM

Previous version of Windows

Windows Vista Beta 2

Clean install with Ultimate Upgrade

Clean install with Upgrade version of desired edition

Clean install with full version

Windows Vista RC1

In-place upgrade or clean install with Ultimate Upgrade

Clean install with Upgrade version of desired edition

Clean install with full version

Windows Vista RC2

Clean install with Ultimate Upgrade

Clean install with Upgrade version of desired edition

Clean install with full version

A clean install means your current version of Windows, including all of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced.  You must back up any data as this process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition.  The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable.

An in-place upgrade means you can install Windows Vista and keep your programs, files and settings from your current version of Windows.  It is still strongly recommended that you back up any data prior to initiating the upgrade.

6. Can I install Windows XP on my PC?

Yes, it is possible for you to install any operating system including Windows XP on your PC.  To install Windows XP on your PC, you will need the CDs of the full version of Windows XP or the original OEM CDs that came with your PC (if any).  You must back up any data as this process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition.  The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable.

7. Can I "roll back" to Windows XP?

As was noted at the outset of the Customer Preview Program, you cannot roll back to the previous operating system installation -- you will either have to purchase and install the final released edition of Windows Vista or re-install a previous version of Windows.

Please, do yourself a favor and upgrade to any edition of the RTM version of Windows Vista before 31 May.

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Comments

  1. wdogg590
    Posted on: May 09, 2007 at 1:41AM  

    I have the RC1 and will upgrade to the Vista Ultimate... Since I'm apart of this CPP and have the RC installed, (& is able to install on 10 pc's) is it possible for me to install the full upgrade edition on up to 10 or 3? Or is it just one?

  2. BWD
    Posted on: May 09, 2007 at 6:54AM  

    Will Vista Ultiamte RTM/Beta qualify as a underlying OS for volume agreements?

  3. Nick White
    Posted on: May 09, 2007 at 11:47AM  

    Hey wdogg590 and BWD:  I'd advise against using a Beta or RC version as the basis for any permanent installation.

    The RTM version of Ultimate is only valid for a single installation.

  4. wdogg590
    Posted on: May 12, 2007 at 1:20AM  

    well that sucks, microsoft should give us a break.... (i can't pay $400/yr to get free stuff)

  5. arj154
    Posted on: May 12, 2007 at 6:08AM  

    just got windows vista home premium installed yesterday and it was seamless. Everything seems to work and its great to see what improvements you've made since the beta! It's a good thing you sell the academic version as it was exetreamly cheap aswell. It would be nice though if all updates were automatically added in the windows update instead of manually downloading them though.

  6. Nick White
    Posted on: May 15, 2007 at 12:23PM  

    Hey arj154:  glad to hear of your good experience.  You should note that you can modify Windows Update so that it automatically downloads and installs updates -- take a look at the Windows Update control panel for settings.

  7. RedSpider
    Posted on: May 17, 2007 at 7:54AM  

    I, too, have Vista Ultimate Build 5840.  The chart shows that only RC1 has an "In-place upgrade"

    Where does Build 5840 from the Launch fit?  Will I be able to do an "In-place upgrade" or will I lose all the programs/files I've put on my computer?

    Thanks

  8. RedSpider
    Posted on: May 17, 2007 at 7:56AM  

    Please let me add that the Vista Ultimate Build 5840 is 32 bit and I want to go to 64 bit.

  9. Nick White
    Posted on: May 17, 2007 at 12:03PM  

    Hey RedSpider:  my recommendation is always to perform a back-up and a clean installation, but whether you do so or not is up to you.  However, given that you also mention wanting to go from the x86 to x64 version of Windows Vista, there's no way to do an in-place upgrade in that case; it's necessary to perfom a clean installation for any change in OS bit architecture.

  10. RedSpider
    Posted on: May 17, 2007 at 6:43PM  

    I upgraded from Build 5840 (obtained at RollOut) and was able to successfully do an "in-place" installation.  All my files are intact and the system is ready to go...woohoo.

    I did remove my extra hard drive and disconnected my USB hard drive--I learned from first installation on my Lenovo that when it tries to reboot it can go to the 2nd drive and stop the whole process.

    Thanks Nick

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  4. Posted by: Richard G. Harper - Microsoft Windows Support and More on April 29, 2007 at 6:27AM

    I really have to apologize for not keeping things up here in a while but I've had some rather significant

  5. Posted by: Chris Dufour's Weblog on May 04, 2007 at 9:05AM

    Windows Vista Beta 2, RC1 and RC2 set to expire

  6. Posted by: Satisfy Me on May 13, 2007 at 9:37PM

    As Nick posted on the Windows Vista blog last month , the Vista beta and RC preview versions will expire

  7. Posted by: Life as an Evangelist on May 31, 2007 at 6:13AM

    This was announced long time ago, but just to reiterate and repeat the message so everyone would know

  8. Posted by: Peering through Windows... on June 01, 2007 at 5:08AM

    Important notice for all those of you who haven't moved over to RTM (Release to Manufacture - Andy :-))

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