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: August 23, 2007 at 3:06PM  

    Hey thingol79:  per the chart above, an in-place upgrade is only possible in one instance:  moving from RC1 to Ultimate.  I would not recommend waiting to upgrade until after the 28th.

  2. thingol79
    Posted on: August 23, 2007 at 4:48PM  

    Thank you. Yes, I have RC1. But can I use the full retail version of Ultimate for an in-place upgrade, or do I specifically need the “Upgrade” version?

  3. Nick White
    Posted on: August 23, 2007 at 6:35PM  

    Hey again thingol79:  while I've never had need to do it myself, it's certainly possible to use the full retail, non-upgrade version of Windows Vista Ultimate to perform an in-place upgrade (as well as a clean installation, of course).  There is an "upgrade" option in the installation process in these versions; conversely, the Upgrade versions do not provide the option for a clean-install.

  4. Ashen
    Posted on: August 26, 2007 at 7:41PM  

    There's a very important question left unanswered here as far as I can see: how do people reinstall their Vista RTM upgrade in the future?

    For example, if my hard disk dies, how will I be able to reinstall RC1 and then upgrade back to RTM? There really needs to be some sort of official statement on this, especially since it's nearly 28 August, so the opportunity to log on to RC1 will come to an end (and please don't say to install from Windows 2000/XP, as the only requirement for the upgrade edition is to have a Vista CPP version).

  5. zdzichu
    Posted on: August 31, 2007 at 10:27AM  

    Please help. I bought a laptop with the pre-released ultimate version for CCP. I have been ignoring the window that says the windows will expire. I had no idea that the OS will stop working. I bought the upgrade for Ultimate and tried installing it but it's not working. Your tech guys have little knowledge about the CCP version  and told me that I needed to go and purchase the full DVD Ultimate version  of the windows not the upgrade. Just form reading this blog I found more information than wasting all day with various tech guys on the phone. I wish I found this blog before Aug 28th when the windows stopped working. I have a lot very important information on hard drive and I don’t want to do a clean install. How can back up my data? I never had a 2 hour chance to back up my computer. This yellow background is killing me because I have limited access I can get online but I cannot access the desktop. Please help.  

  6. Larry Wood
    Posted on: September 03, 2007 at 1:26PM  

    Me too.  I ignored the warnings and now want to save my data.  Yes, you warned me.  I am willing to buy the upgrade.  Now that my machine is locked, how do I know which upgrade to buy?

  7. Ashen
    Posted on: September 04, 2007 at 1:29PM  

    I know this is an old blog post, but I presume you're still reading the comments since you've responded quickly to other posts up to a week and a half ago.

    I don't want to repeat myself here, but people do need to be able to reinstall their upgrade copies, even now August 28th has passed, so it'd be nice for official guidance on how to do that.

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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