Hidden Costs of a Windows Vista Upgrade
The shiny, new Windows Vista beckons, and an upgrade is mighty tempting. But before you take the plunge, be aware that you may end up forking out a lot more money than just the cost of an operating system upgrade.
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12.2.2007 20 Hidden Windows Vista Tools
The default installation of Windows Vista weighs in at approximately 8 GB. In fact, Microsoft's latest operating system won't even install with less than 15 GB of space available on the hard drive.
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30.9.2007 12 Hidden Windows Vista Network Tools
Thanks to Steve Jobs for this article. Windows Vista delivers an impressive line up of network tools that can be used to keep the operating system connectivity on a short leash. The total of 12 command-line tools can be used to manage all aspects of Vista networking.
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4.6.2007 Microsoft Raises Consumer Vista Tech Support Costs
More money, less help is the bottom line on Microsoft's Vista and Office tech support.
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8.2.2007 Study: Linux and Windows Costs Equal
Marking what could have been a summer-long hiatus in its "Get the Facts" campaign, Microsoft is re-igniting the flames on the argument over whether enterprises spend less to manage Windows systems than Linux systems.
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26.9.2006 Longhorn Datacenter will have no extra virtualization costs
Today virtualization is expensive for licensing. Microsoft asks people to license every OS installed on virtual machines, even if powered off. But something is changing.
Since the release of Windows Server 2003 R2 Microsoft started approaching a per-use licensing model instead of a per-installation model.
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13.1.2006 DeepMonitor - Detect Hidden Process and Rootkit
Rootkits is a computer security threat that is designed to modify the core software components of the system, inserting code which attempts to hide the “infection” and provides some additional feature or service to the attacker.
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4.6.2008 Windows 7 E Full Version at Upgrade Prices, but No Upgrade SKU
With a new edition of Windows 7 tailored especially for Europe, Microsoft revealed that with this release of its Windows client, it was doing things differentially.
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25.6.2009 Windows Vista - Anytime Upgrade
Yesterday, Windows Vista blog announced how windows anytime upgrade works.Current windows users can purchase and download a digital key to upgrade to a more feature-rich edition of Windows Vista.
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21.1.2007 How to Upgrade to another edition of Windows Vista
If you want more features in Windows Vista, you can upgrade to another edition. You can either buy an upgrade disc at a retail store or use Windows Anytime Upgrade to buy the upgrade online, and then use your Windows Anytime Upgrade disc or the Windows installation disc to complete the process.
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21.1.2 Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is designed to help Windows XP users identify whether their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista, which edition of Windows Vista meets their needs, and which features of Windows Vista will be able to run on their PCs.
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18.2.2007 How to Upgrade Vista SP1 to Windows 7
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 1 has been released to Microsoft Connect, MSDN, Technet subscribers, and it’s also available for free download in Windows Update. Because, make no mistake about it, Windows 7 will grow its installed base for the most part to the detriment of its precursors.
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28.2.2009 Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Beta
It looks like Microsoft wants to make sure you know if your computer is ready for Windows Vista. Currently, the beta only works on Windows XP systems. Chances are, if you are running something older than Windows XP, your computer won?t run Windows Vista anyways. It?s nice to see a downloadable tool in advance. So that you do not have to buy Windows Vista and then find out your computer won't run it.
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18.5.2006 Microsoft Upgrade Planning for Windows Vista
You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista.
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31.7.2006 Microsoft: Some Computers Cannot Upgrade to Windows Vista
Microsoft has published a list of computers from the Tokyo-based manufacturer Toshiba that cannot upgrade to Windows Vista. The Redmond Company offers no explanation why no less than
13 models of Toshiba computers cannot be upgraded to Windows Vista.
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25.4.2007 OEMs Unveil Their Windows Vista Upgrade Plans
The leading OEMs have unveiled their Vista upgrade plans, and so far Dell is the only vendor planning to charge some customers who buy certain PCs this holiday season for the move.
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27.10.2006 Microsoft Cooks the Next Must Have(!) Free Upgrade for Windows Vista
Microsoft is currently cooking what it refers to as the next must have free upgrade for the Windows platform, targeting specifically Windows Vista and Windows XP. The announcement came from Kevin Johnson, Microsoft President, Platforms and Services Division during his address at the Financial Analyst Meeting 2007.
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30.7.2007 Vista SP2: Windows Driver Model Upgrade
Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista extends the operating system's support for drivers that play nice with all Windows operating systems.
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28.12.2008 No Boot Clean Installs Using Windows Vista Upgrade Discs
Although it has been discussed to death here, some official coverage on the front page is needed. Thanks to Ambiance for posting a direct response from Microsoft about the issue.
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28.1.2007 An easier upgrade to Vista is foreseen
For most people, the normal time to upgrade to a new operating system is when they get a new computer.
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30.5.2006 Vista upgrade workaround revealed
An IT professional claims to have discovered a way of upgrading to a full version of Vista from scratch, while only paying the cost of an upgrade for an earlier version of Windows.
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14.2.2007 Should You Upgrade from Vista to XP SP3?
Windows Vista was released to manufacturing and to businesses in November 2006, and the operating system hit the shelves only at the end of January 2007.
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27.12.2007 Tell Hasta la Vista to XP - Time to Upgrade to Vista SP1
Like it or not, this is the right time not only to upgrade to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 but also to tell hasta la vista to Windows XP.
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30.6.2008 Want To Upgrade Vista Without Visiting The Store? No Problem
Microsoft testers are getting an early look at new functionality designed to allow users to upgrade to more powerful and, presumably, more expensive versions of Vista.
Microsoft is testing a new Windows upgrade mechanism, known as Windows Anytime Upgrade. A first iteration of the technology is integrated into the February CTP (Community Technology Preview) releases of Vista that went to testers starting the week of Feb. 20.
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7.3.2006 Vista upgrade invalidates your XP key
If you choose to purchase an upgrade version of Windows Vista to upgrade XP, you will no longer be able to use that version of XP.
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30.1.2007 Microsoft ignores Vista upgrade loophole
Microsoft will not close a loophole that offers consumers a cheaper way to upgrade to Windows Vista.
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7.2.2007 No cheap upgrade to Vista for Mac users
After years of delays and billions in development and marketing efforts, it would seem that Microsoft Corp. would want anyone who possibly can to buy its new Windows Vista operating system.
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23.2.2007 Microsoft and PC vendors to offer upgrade coupon to promote Windows Vista-capable PCs in 4Q
Microsoft and the world's leading PC vendors have reached an agreement to promote the long-awaited Vista OS by offering PC buyers worldwide a free upgrade coupon, as a way of encouraging them to buy a Vista-capable PC as early as possible, according to market sources, citing information leaked from Taiwan-based PC makers.
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10.8.2006 Microsoft to force users to upgrade to Vista for Halo 2
If you're a Halo 2 fan then brace yourself...
Microsoft has the sheer audacity to expect PC gamers to upgrade to Windows Vista in order to be able to play Halo 2 for PC.
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9.2.2006 Microsoft Helps Those Upgrade to Vista from a Legacy OS
Microsoft launched a page that clearly explains how to upgrade your existing system in-place from a legacy Windows OS to any Windows Vista version; or, in the case of certain systems, whether you'll need to perform a completely clean installation.
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20.7.2006Microsoft recommends upgrade to Vista before Windows 7
As Windows 7 gets ready for its next release, it could be already hurting Vista's remaining chances with businesses and organizations. Microsoft
has started to push Vista to its corporate customers. Earlier this month Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer warned companies to upgrade from XP. Following
Ballmer, Gavriella Schuster, Senior Director in Windows Product Management group urges businesses to upgrade to Windows Vista now, even if they plan
to move to Windows 7 when it ships. Schuster argues that the benefits of Vista upgrade would outweigh the costs of upgrading to Vista and urges
companies to start Windows 7 Beta testing as soon as possible.
Read full story.....
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12.02.2009Hidden Costs of a Windows Vista Upgrade
The shiny, new Windows Vista
beckons, and an upgrade is
mighty tempting. But before
you take the plunge, be aware
that you may end up forking
out a lot more money than just
the cost of an operating
system upgrade. Here are 15
reasons to upgrade and here
are 6 on why you should wait
on Vista.
A lot
more than just cash is on the
line as well, because you may
also spend plenty of time
upgrading your hardware to
make sure it's Vista-ready.
Read on before you upgrade;
being forewarned is being
forearmed.
neowin.net -
12.02.2007Will your PC run Windows
Vista? Download the Windows
Vista Upgrade Advisor
The Windows Vista Upgrade
Advisor is an application that
you can run on your current
Windows XP-based computer to
find out if it's ready for an
upgrade to Windows Vista...
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25.05.2006Windows 7: Vista Upgrade & Anytime Upgrade overview
So far, in our Windows 7 Overview series, we have published the following: Windows 7 beta quick review Windows 7: HomeGroup Overview Windows 7:
BitLocker To Go & Biometric improvements overview Windows 7: Easy Connect Windows 7: Problem Steps Recorder Windows 7: Action Center Overview Windows
7: User Account Control (UAC) Overview Windows 7: Calibate Your Display Windows 7: Federated Search Windows 7: Device Stage Windows 7: Internet
Explorer 8 Overview Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Windows 7 networking and media
enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here is an overview of Windows Vista to Windows 7 Beta upgrade.
Read full story.....
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13.01.2009Windows 7 upgrade chart available
Microsoft has made available the official Windows 7 Upgrade chart, via allthingsd which indicates which previous versions of Windows are available for
an in-place upgrade to Windows 7, and to which version they can upgrade. You can view the chart below: As you can see from just a glance at the
chart, it's relatively confusing. Windows 7 offers no direct upgrade path from XP, which was announced very early on in the Windows 7 development
life cycle. Very specific upgrade paths from other versions of Windows Vista exist also. You can perform a "Custom Install" which is pretty much a
clean install, but you have the option to install Windows 7 to another disk without overwriting data.
Read full story.....
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10.08.2009Death match: Windows Vista versus XP
So there you are, signing the "Save XP" petition, shaking your fist in triumph as you stick it to "the man." It's a liberating feeling. You've
found the courage to buck the trend and jump off the Wintel upgrade treadmill. You feel empowered, enlightened. But still, there are these nagging
doubts.
Can you really skip the Vista upgrade cycle? Will Windows XP still be properly supported by Microsoft and, as a primary
development target, by third parties? Is there something we've missed, some hidden gotcha that's going to trip us up 12, 18, or 24 months from now?
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18.03.2008Understanding Windows 7 upgrade paths
Windows 7 has already earned itself a blue ribbon, and it isn't even in stores yet. Many Vista users will migrate to Redmond's latest and
greatest operating system in search of greener pastures, and countless Windows XP laggards will be lured from the woodwork by Windows 7's polish.
Microsoft will be granting both XP and Vista users the right to buy "Upgrade" versions of Windows 7 which run for considerably less money. But in
terms of how you can perform an upgrade on a machine already running Windows, for some the in-place upgrade option will make the experience seamless;
all your programs, files and settings will remain untouched coming from certain versions of Vista.
Read full story.....
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03.09.2009Windows 7 upgrade details leak out
A document has leaked out that details the upgrade plans for users who purchase PC's with Vista this summer. According to the document obtained
by Tech Arp titled " The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev 2.1" states that computers purchased after July 1st will be eligible to upgrade to
Windows 7 free of charge. The plan will follow in a similar path the Windows XP and Vista transition occurred. The idea behind the plan is to not
prohibit people from purchasing computers as they wait for Windows 7 to be launched.
Read full story.....
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12.02.2009Windows 7 Upgrade Program shifts to June 26, 2009
TechARP has come up with a new revised schedule of Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Program. The Upgrade Program shifts to an early date from June
28, 2009 to June 26, 2009 now. According to the new schedule, end users who purchase PCs pre-installed with Vista between the dates June 26, 2009 to
January 31, 2010 are eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade. According to TechARP, this slight adjustment was done at the request of many OEMs to allow
for better sales over the first weekend of the Program. It is not possible for Windows XP users to upgrade to Windows 7 unlike Windows Vista users.
Read full story.....
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25.03.2009Hidden Vista tools
If Sven Hallauer ever has a moment to reflect in his Redmond office, he can feel quietly pleased with himself.
As the release
manager for Vista, he had overall responsibility during the development period for the success of the ˜Most Secure Windows Ever project.
For Hallauer, however, the flexibility of the new operating system is just as important as the security features. In particular, Vista is
equipped with far better admin tools than previous versions. Previously, administrators were forced to add tools from Resource Kits, but now Vista
comes with a lot of tools already on board, as well explain later.
You can tell just by looking at the increased minimum hardware
requirements that theres a lot more in the new version of Windows. It used to be possible to keep an installation of Windows 95 under 200MB, but Vista
requires 40 times more hard disk space. Even in comparison to Windows XP, Vista needs five times more space.
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27.09.2007Microsoft Details Vista
Upgrade Paths
With Windows Vista nearing its
first release candidate in
preparation for a final launch
early next year, Microsoft is
providing more details about
possible upgrade paths. Of
note: Windows 2000 cannot be
upgraded to Vista...
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01.08.2006Microsoft Closes Vista Upgrade Loophole
Many computer users prefer to
install their operating system
"clean" by simply
using their old Windows disc
to verify they own a copy of
the software. However, that
appears to no longer be
possible using an Upgrade
version of Windows Vista...
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30.01.2007Microsoft: Upgrade Your Vista Betas
Microsoft reminded users of
Windows Vista beta builds
Tuesday that their operating
system will expire on May 31.
However, those running the
free pre-release copies of
Vista may be happy to discover
they can simply purchase a
cheaper Upgrade version of the
OS...
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25.04.2007The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program
Tech ARP has a
collection of dates regarding Microsoft's update program. The
upgrade program concerns upgrade paths from Windows Vista to Windows 7, and basically entails that when you buy a Windows Vista machine after July 1
2009, you will get a free upgrade to Windows 7 once it's released. The data also confirm a number of versions for Windows 7.
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07.01.2009Top 10 reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 7
With the Windows 7 Release Candidate already leaked to the public, and the the official bits coming May 5, there's been a lot of hype surrounding
Windows 7, with generally positive reviews from the community. Windows 7 is everything Vista wasn't... and some of what it should of been. If
you're using XP or Vista, there's no excuse not to upgrade to Windows 7. In no particular order, here are my top 10 reasons why: Virtual XP
Mode: Many users and businesses have been reluctant to upgrade past Windows XP, and who can blame them? Microsoft had to keep extending support for
Windows XP for this reason.
Read full story.....
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28.04.2009Are You Ready for Windows Vista?
Columnist Stuart Mudie
describes how to make the move
to Windows Vista using Windows
Vista Upgrade Advisor and
Windows Easy Transfer...
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29.09.2006The Secret Windows Vista Upgrade - Explained
There is a well known Windows
Vista Upgrade secret in the IT
community. In this article I
talk about it and the possible
legal implications! Please
take this article "as-is" I
provide no warranty of any
kind by providing this
information. Well to be honest
it is no big secret as you can
find this information anywhere
online and many Microsoft
staff must also know about it
as they created this process!
The "secret" is that the
setup program (setup.exe) in
Windows Vista's upgrade
version will accept an
installed copy of XP, W2K, or
an un-activated copy of Vista
itself as evidence of a
previous installation.
...and it is this last
option that enables you to
perform a "clean install" of
an upgrade version of Windows
Vista to any formatted or
unformatted hard drive!
Basically you are installing
Windows Vista twice to take
advantage of this trick.
Is This Windows Vista
Upgrade Secret Legal? Probably
not. I am no legal expert but
I am guessing this will
violate some part of the
Windows Vista EULA (End User
Licence Agreement.) BUT
Microsoft have created this
process.... It is not
something you have to try and
crack in their software or run
a third party application to
perform this process... Their
development team created it.
Which kind of begs the
question WHY?
neowin.net -
15.02.2007Windows 7 Upgrade Program shifts to June 28
TechARP has updated the Windows 7 Upgrade Program schedule with some slight changes. According to the new schedule Windows update program will begin
on June 28, 2009 instead of July 1, 2009 which Neowin sighted earlier, and users who purchase PCs preinstalled with Vista between the dates June 28,
2009 - January 31, 2010 are eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade. Microsoft will allow only 5 upgrade requests from eligible end users (consumers or
small businesses) to upgrade to Windows 7. This means that a user with 12 upgrade coupons will have to visit the fulfillment website at least 3 times
to order all 12 upgrades.
Read full
story.....
neowin.net -
23.02.2009Windows Anytime Upgrade: Digital Distribution To End
Microsoft had this to say on its website: "In an effort to streamline the Windows Anytime Upgrade experience for our customers and open the program
to additional markets worldwide, Microsoft and its partners have decided to end digital product key distribution on February 20, 2008."
With Windows Anytime Upgrade, customers could upgrade to another version of Vista by purchasing a digital product key. Microsoft has now decided to
stop distributing product keys online. Those who now want to upgrade, will have to buy a Windows Anytime Upgrade Kit from a local retailer or from
Microsoft.
Read full
story.....
neowin.net -
11.02.2008Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade retail boxing revealed
AeroXperience's Bryant Zadegan has got his hands on an exclusive look at the Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade retail boxing. Those who are familiar with
the Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade will remember that it was only pushed online, but Zadegan says that "Microsoft will indeed be pushing Anytime
Upgrade through retail channels." On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled the final design for the regular retail box. The anytime upgrade boxes are the same
shape and design as the full version or regular upgrade boxes, except slightly smaller since they just contain a product key used to migrate Windows 7
from Home Premium to Professional or Ultimate from within the Windows 7 control panel. More images are available over at the AeroXperience Blog.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
26.06.2009
