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. RedSpider
    Posted on: May 17, 2007 at 6:44PM  

    Oops, I stayed with the 32 bit architecture

  2. Kimmers
    Posted on: May 18, 2007 at 4:45PM  

    I just bought a used macbook. It has a dual boot, mac & also vista. The guy I bought it from said that it was a fully licensed version of Vista, but on the bottom right of the screen it says it is Windows Vista RC1, Build 5600 Evaluation copy. He assures me it is licensed and wont expire, but how do I know for sure? Is there a way to check? Vista has been working fine, so far, and I like it so I hope it doesnt expire! I would also hate to have to spend MORE money to buy an upgrade for it to keep it going. Any ideas?

  3. HardBall
    Posted on: May 18, 2007 at 8:05PM  

    Another question if I may:

    If it somehow it happens that I get a copy of Ultimate upgrade after May 31; would I still be able to install and keep all my file settings?

    I'm actually triple booting XP, Vista and Linux; so I'm not that concerned about not being able to work on my machine.  But I may not be able to get a copy of Ultimate upgrade until later.  BTW, I already have the Business upgrade, but when I heard that I can upgrade to Ultimate without losing my files and programs, that seems to be the best option.

    Thanks

  4. Venefyxatu
    Posted on: May 20, 2007 at 8:09AM  

    I have a similar question to HardBall : if I buy an Upgrade version today and upgrade my RC1 (build 5600) to the final version, will I be able to use this upgrade version to reinstall windows in, say, half a year?  2 years?  (you know it'll be necessary at some point ;-) )

  5. Wasatch Software
    Posted on: May 23, 2007 at 6:08PM  

    BWD: We've compiled the Windows Vista Upgrade guidelines for volume license users here:

    http://www.wasatchsoftware.com/products/windows-open-license-upgrade.htm

    This information was gathered from the Microsoft Product Use Rights.  To answer your question, the beta doesn't currently offer you upgrade pricing for Windows Vista.

  6. Nick White
    Posted on: May 23, 2007 at 8:50PM  

    Hey HardBall:  you should be able to, yes; I'd recommend using the Windows Easy Transfer tool to do so.

  7. Nick White
    Posted on: May 23, 2007 at 8:51PM  

    Hey Venefyxatu:  take a look at the comment just posted by Wasatch Software.

  8. drdivan55
    Posted on: May 25, 2007 at 12:59PM  

    Hi there. I run Winows Vista Ultimate RC1, so I need to buy the retail edition. When I entered one of the shops the salesman offered me a kind of strange Vista edition-the disc label read Windows Vista Ultimate Atom Second Edition and the strange thing was that the box read it included a CD inside, not DVD. On my question why the release was on a CD, the salesman asked some of his colleagues and then came with an answer that this was not actually Windows Vista but a modified version of Windows XP. I did some googling but didn't find any useful information and did not find anything on the Microsoft's site. The closest link I found was at http://www.vietsupport.com/community/showthread.php?t=64765 but it should be in Vietnamese and I could not understand or read anything there.

     So my question is-what is that strange edition of Windows-is it some local version of XP or Vista.

  9. Nick White
    Posted on: May 29, 2007 at 7:54PM  

    Hey drdivan55:  I'd be wary of the product you were shown, as the name you were given is not a product we've released.  If you're looking for a legitimate online channel for purchase of Windows Vista, I'd suggest checking out http://windowsmarketplace.com/.

  10. imrumpole
    Posted on: May 30, 2007 at 1:41PM  

    Help, As aN RC2 user I knew I had to upgrade by May 31.  So I checked all information and selected to buy Windows Vista Business.  I specifically checked to see if I could buy the Vista Business Upgrade CD.  Did so and when installing I decided to do a clean install and re-partion my hard drive.  Doing this however, now leaves me unable to insert my Product Key and Activate this copy of Vista Business.  If I had not re-partioned, I guess I would have been ok.  Any help on getting this installation of Visa Business activated with my product key?

Trackbacks

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  3. Posted by: theapp.net on April 25, 2007 at 11:43AM

    Thanks to Owen, I got a bit of news today. Windows Vista beta and release candidate versions are set up start rebooting at the end of May. I don't know if it's just the ones that have used Windows...

  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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