Windows Vista ServicePack 1 RC1 Will Expire on June 30, 2008

[GypsyDavid]

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC1 Will Expire on June 30, 2008
- Microsoft finally wakes up and points to Vista SP1 RC1
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor


The first Release Candidate of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is available as a free download from Microsoft. The final SP1 will also be delivered at no extra charge to all Windows Vista users, as it is the practice with service pack releases. But, another tradition over at Microsoft is to time-bomb the testing releases of upcoming software products. In the perspective of the Redmond company, the testers are able to access the bits in the early stages of building and get a sneak peek, without dropping a single cent. Of course, that the true transaction comes in terms of the feedback generated, so in the end, it is still a case of Quid Pro Quo, even if financial matters are put aside.

On December 12th, 2007, the company dropped the first public version of Vista SP1 with the
RC build via the Microsoft Download Center. Vista SP1 RC1 was previously accessible only through Connect, and by MSDN and TechNet subscribers. But, as it was forecasted following the initial introduction of the first pre-beta variants of Vista SP1, the service pack went to the general public by the end of 2007. Users that will implement Vista SP1 RC1 into their copy of the operating system will be able to run it for a little over half a year. Vista SP1 RC1 is scheduled to expire on June 30th, 2008.

"Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is time-limited software. It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date", revealed Nick White, Microsoft Product Manager. "If you install the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate, it is strongly recommended that you also plan to install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released in the first quarter of 2008. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this pre-release code. You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed on the computer prior to installing the Windows Vista SP1 update."

White failed to inform what will happen to the operating systems from which SP1 RC1 will not be removed past the expiration date. In this context, it is interesting to see if the expiration of the Release Candidate of the Service Pack will cause the end users to experience problems with Windows Vista RTM on which the refresh was deployed.

Windows Vista SP1 RC1 "is pre-release code and will change before the final release. This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission-critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you backup your data prior to installing any pre-release software. Support is through self-help and peer support via the Windows Vista SP1 forum. Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Support for this RC release of SP1", White added.

[ripee]

There is no expiration date marked on my computer's little Vista information window, it just says Build 6001 Service Pack 1 v668.

Does this expiration date mark the end of SP1 RC functionality for everyone, or is it just MS's own arbitrary timeline?

[hermanhlam]

There is no expiration date marked on my computer's little Vista information window, it just says Build 6001 Service Pack 1 v668.

Does this expiration date mark the end of SP1 RC functionality for everyone, or is it just MS's own arbitrary timeline?

look here

[ripee]

Maybe my previous post was unclear. Have a look at this image:



Pray tell where the expiration date is on mine? I should mention that I'm using a legit vista key.

[marct]

Maybe my previous post was unclear. Have a look at this image:



Pray tell where the expiration date is on mine? I should mention that I'm using a legit vista key.

I'm also using a legit vista key but expiration date for sp1 still shows ... Have you remove the watermark on your desktop ?

If yes that may explain why you are not seeing the expiration date.

[pyrapurcell]

if you are unaware of this you can take a copy of your tokens.dat in vista RTM and replace after when done installing sp1 the watermark and expiry dates no longer exist.

[ripee]

I just used the standalone 436 MB 5-language installer, the watermark thing is still in place.

Not that it matters at all, I was just wondering. Of course I'm gonna install the full version when it comes out long before the expiry date of the RC.

I wonder what will happen on that day, will the RC go into reduced functionality mode, even though SP1 is doing away with it? lol

[zulman89]

if you are unaware of this you can take a copy of your tokens.dat in vista RTM and replace after when done installing sp1 the watermark and expiry dates no longer exist.

can i use another computer vista non sp token

[pyrapurcell]

yeah, well sp1 wont expire if you replace your tokens.dat this article is not true.

[javiersoria]

Sera posible instalar el SP1 teniendo SP1 RC?
Will be possible to install SP1 if i have SP1 RC?

Gracias
Thanks

Sorry, my english is bad

[TheJanitor]

Sera posible instalar el SP1 teniendo SP1 RC?
Will be possible to install SP1 if i have SP1 RC?

Gracias
Thanks

Sorry, my english is bad

Nadie es segura todavía pero probablemente han de formato.

[TheJanitor]

Sera posible instalar el SP1 teniendo SP1 RC?
Will be possible to install SP1 if i have SP1 RC?

Gracias
Thanks

Sorry, my english is bad

Nadie es segura todavía pero probablemente han de formato.

english: No one's certain yet but you will probably have to format.

[javiersoria]

Thanks Gracias