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. Nick White
    Posted on: May 30, 2007 at 5:04PM  

    Hey imrumpole:  have you completed the installation upgrade process w/o entering the priduct ID (PID)?  I.e., just skip that step in the installation process.  You ought to be able to do this, and then enter the PID key to activate upon your first boot into the new OS.

  2. imrumpole
    Posted on: May 30, 2007 at 5:13PM  

    But when I tried to enter the PIP key to activate, I got an error message saying that the "product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations." error code

    0xC004F061

  3. Nick White
    Posted on: May 30, 2007 at 5:23PM  

    Hey again imrumpole:  ah, now I understand better.  The upgrade you were entitled to perform was from RC2 directly to Windows Vista Business, not from a clean installation.  In this case, you should re-install Windows XP and upgrade from it to Windows Vista.

  4. drdivan55
    Posted on: May 30, 2007 at 5:37PM  

    Hi and thanks for the information. I would not buy it anyways. I am looking for the Ultimate version. As for http://windowsmarketplace.com/ I have a valid credit cards but I cannot buy anything because my credit cards are not issued in the USA, so I cannot specify a billing address in th USA. I guess I will have to wait until Digital Locker becomes available for international purchases. I borrowed an installation disc from a friend of mine, so I will do an in-place install of Windows Vista Ultimate tomorrow and activate the one month trial. I hope that Digital Locker will become available for international purchases in a month, otherwise next month I will have to reinstall my old XP. I do not see a reason to pay about 411 USD for an upgrade from the Microsoft partner shops as the suggested price of the product is about 260 USD.  My next question is will I be able to install an upgrade in the future, when Digital Locker becomes available for international purchases, since my RC1 build will expire tomorrow and my RC1 key will not be valid afterwards? Thanks for the answer in advance.

  5. mag1119
    Posted on: May 30, 2007 at 10:54PM  

    I have a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade being sent to me via snail mail and it will not arrive until after the beta cutoff date. Will I still be able to upgrade without losing my data?

  6. NightView
    Posted on: June 01, 2007 at 2:29PM  

    I'm sure MS has thought of this but what happens if someone changes the date back to 2006?  Would they get another year of use out of the RC?  I know they wouldn't be able to get updates but Vista is secure right? lol

  7. TTO
    Posted on: June 02, 2007 at 3:31AM  

    Hello! I installed Windows Vista RC1 about 5 months ago. Today is June the 21th but my Windows Vista RC1 is still running and I didn't recieve any warning about the expire!

    Why does it happen?

    Sorry for my bad english but I'm italian!

    Thanks!!

  8. Nick White
    Posted on: June 02, 2007 at 12:43PM  

    Hey TTO:  I'm not sure why you'd not be receiving the expiration notice, but I'd upgrade your system as soon as possible to be safe.  As stated above, "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."

    Ciao :)

  9. steveohh40
    Posted on: June 04, 2007 at 6:59PM  

    I've got a copy of RC1, and I was out of the country the entire month of May, without my computer. I'm looking to upgrade to Vista Home Premium Upgrade Version. I know I have to perform a clean install, so what steps should I take? Will the upgrade program reformat my disk, or should I take the files I need off first, then reformat it myself? I'd really appreciate a little guidance on this topic. Thanks guys!

  10. Nick White
    Posted on: June 04, 2007 at 8:30PM  

    Hey steveohh40:  I'd check out our Knowledge Base for help on upgrade installation; this article in particular is of note:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918884.  If you need 1-1 help, direct your questions to our public newsgroups for assistance.

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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