Vista Hands On #4: Clean install with an upgrade key
I've been reading
the breathless reports this week about the "Vista upgrade loophole." Most of it is typical echo-chamber stuff, and most of the reports I've read so far have gotten the basic facts wrong.
windows -
comments -
19.2.2007 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.
windows -
comments -
30.1.2007 Retrieve CD Key/Product Key From Windows Registry with Product Key Finder
You must keep CD Key/Product key of any software or application at handy place since you may not know when you will need that key again.
download -
comments -
9.7.2009 How to Downgrade from Windows Vista Business or Ultimate OEM Edition and Install Windows XP Professional
A lot of users still don’t getting used to Windows Vista. A lot of reviews have been labeling Windows Vista as bloated, hard to use, tons of compatibility issues, inconvenient, not user friendly, not stable and etc.
windows -
comments -
22.8.2008 XP: Get Updates No Matter What or Change your Product Key
If your windows installation has issues, or for some other unmentionable reason is unable to get updates from the windows server, this is what you need to do.
windows -
comments -
27.3.2006 How to Install Windows Vista
For people with access to the Vista betas through MSDN, there is an installation guide.
windows -
comments -
Intel waiting for key update before going Vista
If it's not good enough for Intel, is it good enough for you? We're talking Microsoft's Windows Vista, which the chip giant's CEO, Paul Otellini, this week indicated has not won the backing of his technology experts.
windows -
comments -
7.3.2007 Windows 7 Product Key Checker to Verify Windows 7 Product Key
Windows 7 official release is set on October 23 and soon you will be able buy your own copy of Windows 7.
download -
comments -
9.9.2009 Vista: Should I Install 64bit or 32bit Version?
Deciding which Vista version to install can be a difficult decision and can really limit what you can do with your system. Here are practical hints which should help a user decide which version to install. I decided to write this guide after installing 64-bit and 32-bit vista systems on several test boxes.
windows -
comments -
12.1.2007 Microsoft releases key Vista developer technologies
Microsoft on Wednesday gave developers access to a key piece of Windows Vista, months ahead of the operating system's release.
The company posted near-final versions of two software development technologies that are part of WinFX, the underlying programming model being introduced with Vista, which is slated to ship late this year.
microsoft -
comments -
20.1.2006 Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 1
First part of mini serial of articles about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog.
windows -
comments -
4.6.2007 Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 2
Second part of mini serial of articles about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog.
windows -
comments -
7.6.2007 Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 3
Next part of mini serial of articles about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog - Vista Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
common -
comments -
Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 4
Next article about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog - this is about Microsoft Product Activation (MPA).
windows -
comments -
16.6.2007 How to Install Vista Language Packs MUI on all versions of Vista + video tutorial
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, and Vista Business versions of the Microsoft licensing restrictions can only preserve a language!
download -
comments -
23.9.2008 Crack Available to Install Windows Vista with Only 256MB RAM
Want to perform the impossible with Windows Vista and install the operating system on systems with only 256 MB of RAM? vista_nomem.exe is a patch that promises to deliver just that, enabling you to deploy Vista even if you only have 256 MB of memory.
windows -
comments -
8.2.2007 Pirates release fully cracked Vista install
DISCUSSING PIRATED software is still fairly taboo within the press, but sometimes a scene release is worthy of note, despite the influx of staunch anti-piracy e-mails that will flood our in-box.
windows -
comments -
18.5.2007 Windows Vista SP1 Beta Install Fair
The Windows Vista SP1 Deployment Team wanted me to pass along notice of an upcoming Install Fair being held here in Redmond at month's end; we've held events like this before and they've always been well received.
windows -
comments -
3.10.2007 My Day at the Windows Vista SP1 Install Fair
On Saturday October 27th, I had the chance to visit the Microsoft campus and join various others in installing the Windows Vista SP1 Beta.
windows -
comments -
29.10.2007 Workaround Discovered For "Clean Install" With Vista Upgrade DVDs
DailyTech has posted a 7-step workaround courtesy of Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents) on how to perform a clean install with a Windows Vista Upgrade DVD.
windows -
comments -
31.1.2007 Microsoft: Should You Install Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh?
Last week, on January 9th, 2008, Microsoft dropped Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Refresh Build 17128 into the laps of some 15,000 testers.
windows -
comments -
14.1.2008 Install Vista SP1 RC Refresh for the Added Performance
According to Microsoft, one reason to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Refresh and test drive it is the added performance.
windows -
comments -
15.1.2008 Rearming Vista SP1 to Live 120 Days with No Product Key
With Windows Vista, Microsoft brought to the table an entirely overhauled activation architecture compared to Windows XP.
windows -
comments -
10.1.2008 Windows Vista SP1 Beta Install Fiesta, Courtesy of Microsoft
Microsoft is hard at work hammering away at the first service pack for Windows Vista.
windows -
comments -
20.11.2007 Install and Uninstall Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 1
The first public build of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is imminent and is planned by the end of this week. Microsoft has already made available Vista SP1 Release Candidate 1 via Connect, MSDN and TechNet, and is preparing for the next step, opening up the beta testing
process to the general public through the Microsoft Download Center.
windows -
comments -
11.12.2007 How to Install Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP2 Beta Build 16497
Microsoft has published a command shell script, which will add and set a registry key on the computer so that Windows Update, Microsoft Update or Automatic Updates will offer the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 the Service Pack 2 (KB version 948465) beta build 6002.16497.
windows -
comments -
5.12.2008 Vistalizator - Install Multiple Languages MUI on Vista Home, Basic & Starter Edition
Windows Vista Home, Basic and Starter editions are available at low prices compared to Windows Vista Ultimate edition however Vista Home, Basic & Starter editions have many restrictions like support for only one language, No Aero support, no remote desktop etc.
download -
comments -
4.8.2009 Disable and Remove Half-Open TCP Connections Limit (to Unlimited) in Windows 7 and Vista SP2 with EnableConnectionRateLimitin Registry Key
Officially, the incomplete half-open outbound TCP connection attempts allowed at any one time is now unlimited by default in Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP2 (Service Pack 2), and Windows 7. Actually, the ability to limit or restrict number of half-open outgoing TCP connections system can create or establish is built into Windows Vista SP2 and Windows 7, however it’s disabled by default.
windows -
comments -
8.6.2009 Activate Windows 7 Pre-Beta 6801 with Vista Beta or RC Product Key without Crack
Already download and install Windows 7 Pre-Beta build 6801? You probably have to leave the product key field blank during installation in order to complete the setup of Windows 7.
windows -
comments -
1.11.2008 How to Install Windows 7 or Windows Vista on Physical Machine Without DVD Media
A lot of Windows Vista and Windows 7 license has been sold media-less nowadays, where buyers only receive a piece of authenticated certificate with a genuine and legitimate product key printed on it.
windows -
comments -
23.12.2008Workaround Discovered For "Clean Install" With Vista Upgrade
DailyTech has posted a 7-step
workaround courtesy of Paul
Thurrott (via Microsoft
internal documents) on how to
perform a clean install with a
Windows Vista Upgrade DVD. Per
Microsoft's new licensing
requirements for Vista, users
are required to install a
Windows Vista Upgrade from
within Windows XP and to make
matters worse, the Windows XP
license is forfeited. The
process may be tedious, but
few will argue when they
compare the price differences
between the upgrade and retail
versions. Here we go:
- Boot from the
Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and
start the setup
program.
- When prompted
to enter your product key, DO
NOT enter it. Click "Next"
and proceed with setup. This
will install Windows Vista as
a 30-day trial.
- When
prompted, select the edition
of Vista which you have
purchased and continue with
setup.
- Once setup has
been completed and you have
been brought to the desktop
for the first time, run the
install program from within
Windows Vista.
- This
time, type in your product key
when prompted.
- When
asked whether to perform an
Upgrade or Custom (advanced)
install, choose Custom
(advanced) to perform a clean
install of Vista. Yes, this
means that you will have to
install Vista for a second
time.
- Once setup has
completed for the second time,
you should be able to activate
Windows Vista normally. You
can also delete the
Windows.old directory which
contains information from the
first Vista
install.
neowin.net -
31.01.2007Vista 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. Either on
another system, or as a
dual-boot option. The key will
be invalidated, preventing
activation.
From
Vista's EULA found
here
(PDF) :
13.
UPGRADES. To use upgrade
software, you must first be
licensed for the software that
is eligiblefor the upgrade.
Upon upgrade, this agreement
takes the place of the
agreement for the software you
upgraded from. After you
upgrade, you may no longer use
the software you upgraded
from.
neowin.net -
30.01.2007Hackers Install Windows XP on
Intel Mac
While Windows XP won't
natively boot on Apple's new
Intel based Macs due to lack
of EFI support and Microsoft
has no plans to change that in
Vista, one hacker has found a
way around the limitation and
snagged a $13,854 prize in the
process. But the approach
requires heavy editing of an
XP install disc...
betanews.com -
16.03.2006Satire: Microsoft Reveals Windows Vista SP1 Will Install XP
Imagine if this was true... :lol:
In response to customer demands Microsoft announced that instead of patching bugs and
improving features of Windows Vista in the next service pack release, they would just install XP.
"We're focused on giving the
customer what they want, and want they want is to just go back to XP," said Microsoft Development Chief Greg Elston.
Elston said
not only will the move improve customer satisfaction with Vista, but will allow the company to focus resources on the next operating system instead of
the flailing Vista. "We can move people off of Vista development now, and move them to Windows 7 development," said Elston. "That should allow us
to only delay Windows 7 by thirteen months past its scheduled date instead of the planned eighteen."
winbeta.org -
18.09.2007Verizon loses in jury trial against Cox, two patent claims invalidated
In a costly loss in US District Court in Alexandria yesterday, a jury found all of Verizon's claims that Cox Communications infringed upon its
VoIP-related patents to be without basis, and even invalidated two of eight patent claims...
betanews.com -
08.10.2008Don't slipstream XP SP3 on Windows Vista!
This just in from Bink, seems he had a pretty interesting weekend attempting to Slipstream XP SP3.
"So I build a new Windows XP ISO with
SP3 integrated, this is a Volume License editions (VOL) which only accepts Volume License Keys (VLK). When I want to install it on a clean machine, I
noticed that setup prompts for a product key and it does not allow me to continue, which should be a new feature in XP sp3. OK so I fill in the VLK
but it does not accept it, I try another one from a customer of mine, does not work either. Angry
I found out that the problem is when you
do the XP Sp3 slipstream process on a WIndows Vista machine, the API gives a different response and screws up the PID process. This is a bug and
Microsoft knew about this in December, still the bug remained and made it all the way to RTM, nice work Microsoft.
So XP SP slipstream only
on XP or 2003 machines!!!"
neowin.net -
05.05.2008Vista pushes XP and Linux aside on Asus EeePC
The Asus EeePC ships with Linux but with the help of an external DVD drive, its possible to install almost any OS of your choice, even Leopard with a
bit of hacking but that comes with some legal issues that are discussed in
that post.
Lets face it, the Asus EeePC isnt too terribly useful with the Linux install that it comes with, you cant add applications to it
until they are developed and the update installer is somewhat lacking. The first thing I did was wipe the hard drive and install Windows XP Home
Edition but one user decided to install something else.
I wouldnt have thought the EeePC capable of running Vista but according
to the
EeePC forums thats exactly what one user is doing. To be
fair, there may be more but this is the only one I know of.
winbeta.org -
16.11.200750 Windows XP & Vista Tips & Tricks
Computer Active has compiled a list of 50 tips to improve performance of both XP and Vista.
For most people using a computer means using
Windows and over the years Microsoft’s operating system has become easier to use.
However, there is always room for improvement, so
in this feature we have compiled 50 of the finest tips for Windows XP and Vista. These can help to make Windows even better, easier to use and faster.
Most don’t even require you to install any extra software, so if you want to make your copy of XP or Vista better, it’s possible to get
started immediately.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
09.05.2008Windows Vista Grace Period Extended to 120 Days
Every Vista DVD includes the
ability to install any edition
of Vista without a product
key. When you install without
a product key, you get an
automatic 30 day evaluation
period. This probably isn't
news to anyone.
What may be news
to you, however, is that you
can easily extend the 30-day
Windows Vista grace period to
120 days. No hacks required.
This is an official, supported
operation directly from
Microsoft.
To extend the grace period
another 30 days, simply start
a command prompt as
Administrator, and issue this
command:
slmgr -rearm
Reboot for the
change to take effect, and
voila, you have 30 more days.
You can only extend three
times, so the total grace
period for a Vista evaluation
is 120 days.
jcxp.net -
01.02.2007No More 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.
Unlike with the
Windows XP Upgrade CD, with
Windows Vista users are forced
to have a valid install of
Windows XP Home or
Professional on their machines
before upgrading with a Vista
Upgrade DVD. This typically
isn't a big deal for the
majority of users on the first
install of Vista; but think
about the necessary steps if
you already have Vista
installed or no operating
system on the computer:
- Install a
genuine copy of Windows XP
Home/Professional
- Acti
vate Windows XP through
Microsoft
- Upgrade to
Windows Vista from within
Windows XP
Either
shell out the extra cash for
the full version or be
prepared for the extended
process of installing XP, and
then Vista. Of course there is
always the OEM road, but
remember that such a copy is
limited to the computer it is
first activated on.
neowin.net -
29.01.2007Gaming Performance: Windows Vista SP1 vs. XP SP3
Even as Microsoft tries to shove Windows Vista down the collective and unwilling throat of computer users worldwide, the company is still perfecting
the well-aged and well-loved Windows XP. The latter of the two operating systems just received its third (and evidently last) service pack.
<...> Of course, with the release of a new service pack comes a huge, pressing question: How does it compare to Windows Vista and its own
recent update, Service Pack 1, in the game performance department? Vista, of course, has been plagued by criticism that games run on it don't perform
as well as they do in Windows XP, even though most of the problems were due to early graphics drivers and have gradually been worked out.
Come with us as we install XP SP3 and take it for a test drive, and more importantly compare it to Vista SP1 with a batch of performance
tests. Though DirectX 10 is Vista-only, many a gamer has sworn not to upgrade; will XP SP3 cement their decision, or has Vista and its drivers matured
enough to change a few minds?
winbeta.org -
12.05.2008Microsoft's Vista 'Family Discount' Troubles
In the past, early adopters of
new Windows versions have had
some small hurdles to
overcome. Such hurdles may be
software incompatibility, or
lack of driver support. These
sorts of things are almost
expected with each new Windows
launch. But what would you do
if you bought Windows Vista
and your product key didn't
work. What if Microsoft had no
solution and was unwilling to
issue you a new key?
Many (if not all)
users who took advantage of
Microsoft's Vista Family
Discount have been issued
invalid installation keys and
cannot install Windows Vista
Home Premium. Microsoft
confirms that the keys are
indeed valid, but not for
Windows Vista. The CSR I spoke
with was unable to tell what
the key was for, but it did
appear to be a valid key, for
something.
Microsoft says, This is a
known issue and has been
escalated to the program
manager. When asked what could
be done I was told, I can take
your name and number and call
you back when there is a
solution. If that is not
acceptable, I can cancel your
order and issue you a refund.
I was also told, There is no
expected time period for a fix
at this time.
jcxp.net -
01.02.2007Dell to Sell Windows XP Professional with PCs Through 2009
In a letter to some of Dells customers, they said that " XP Professional is available for OEM installation on your Dell PC purchases through at
least 2009 and likely longer." The "official" OEM and retail end date from Microsoft is June 30, 2008, just a few weeks away. There has been
much talk of whether Microsoft would bow to the demand of the consumers to keep XP alive, and with this it is still hard to tell if Dell bought a
years stock of licenses ahead of time, or if this is the precursor to an announcement from Microsoft.
Dell's plan for users is to have
Windows XP Professional installed on their machines, but include the Vista install disk for when they are ready to upgrade. "With XP installed,
we will send media for both Vista and XP with each PC so that when you are ready to migrate to Vista you may at no addition upgrade cost." The
demand seems high, so let's hope others follow suit to allow companies the time and resources to fully upgrade.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
10.06.2008Did Microsoft Lose XP SP3 on the Way to Vista SP1 RTM?
Windows XP Service Pack 3,
Windows Vista Service Pack
1 and
Windows Server 2008... In the
end its all Windows to Microsoft. Right? Well... in all fairness, you do have to keep in mind that all Windows platforms are equal, but some Windows
operating systems are more equal than others... And in this context, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are privileged over Windows XP. Microsoft
is essentially choosing to ignore the vast majority of Windows users.
According to data from Net Applications, the install base
of XP is over 75% of all the operating systems, with Vista at just over 10%. But statistics are by no means impressive to Microsoft. Throughout the
development process of Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, the Redmond company has been pushing Windows XP SP3 to the background. Even though XP SP3
was developed alongside Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008.
winbeta.org -
05.02.2008Something New when Uninstalling Drivers and Devices on Windows Vista
Chris Mu: Today, I'd like to share a background story about a KB article that describe a interesting behavior in Windows Vista that is different with
previous OS. Maybe it is not the most important or highest impacted issue occurs in Windows Vista, but I think it will impact some of you when you are
troubleshooting for your firendes/family... OK, let go through this issue.
This issue is about re-install network adapter in
Windows Vista and the KB article for this issue will be KB945399 and published in a few days. The issue can be reproduced in many computer models and
you will encounter it when you uninstall a network adapter device using Device Manager. Maybe you have to troubleshoot whether the network adapter
driver installed is right to troubleshoot OS network issue. Therefore, after uninstall the adapter, you may try to install another driver for the
device ... Everything works fine in Windows XP/Server 2003 and so on. However, when you try to do same action in Windows Vista, the popular OS
nowadays, you will see soon after the uninstall process completes, PnP detects the network adapter as a new device and automatically installs the
device and drivers. Instead, in Windows XP, only after you click to scan hardware change, the PnP will detect the network adapter and install the
driver.
winbeta.org -
21.01.2008Windows Feature Comparison (XP SP3 vs. Vista SP1)
This white paper helps customers compare Windows Vista advancements with Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Using this comparison, customers can
adjust their expectations for the security, management, deployment, mobility, and productivity of either operating system. For each feature or
capability, each section compares key Windows Vista advancements against Windows XP.
winbeta.org -
22.05.2008Five reasons why XP will never die
Preston Gralla: Microsoft is doing its best to kill Windows XP, but that's not going to happen. No matter what the company does, the operating system
will live on. Here are five reasons why XP will never die.
Enterprises want XP
There's no escaping the
simple fact that enterprises have snubbed Vista, and show no signs of abandoning XP. Just a few days ago, Forrester said that a survey of 50,000
enterprise users found that throughout 2007, Windows XP use remained at a steady 89%. Vista grew from zero to 6% in that same time, but that came
about because users moved from Windows 2000 to Vista, not from XP to Vista. Don't expect corporations to switch to Vista from XP in 2008.
winbeta.org -
03.04.2008European Vista and XP to get browser ballot screen too
Microsoft has confirmed that it will be distributing a ballot screen software update to users, in Europe, of Windows XP and Windows Vista. Last week
Neowin reported that Microsoft has proposed the idea of a ballot screen to the EU. European consumers who buy a new Windows PC with Internet Explorer
set as their default browser would be shown a ‘ballot screen' from which they could, if they wished, easily install competing browsers from
the Web. If this proposal is ultimately accepted, Microsoft will ship Windows in Europe with the full functionality available in the rest of the
world.
Read full
story.....
neowin.net -
28.07.2009Microsoft confirms Office 14 support for Windows XP
Even though the recent word that the next version of Microsoft Office, dubbed Office 14, was delayed until next year, we have good news for those of
you who are still using Windows XP. Microsoft's Chris Capossela has informed the Silicon Valley Insider that Office 14 will run on Windows XP,
Windows Vista, and Windows 7. In a statement Capossela noted: "Our install base of Office 2003 and 2007 is actually quite quite high in enterprises
even if XP is what most enterprises are still using on their PCs. We're looking at XP
with some service pack.
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 03.03.2009
Official Way to Use Vista without Activation 120 Days
Official Way to Install and
Use Windows Vista without
Activation for Free for 120
Days
By default,
Windows Vista can be
installed, used and run
without any license, product
key or the need of activation
for 30 days grace period, for
purpose of trial or
evaluation. Although Microsoft
initially stressed that users
should purchase a license with
valid product key before the
trial period expires, or else
Windows Vista will lock into
Reduced Functionality Mode.
However, a "rearm" method
has long since been discovered
to be able to extend, or reset
the remaining time for
activation to another fresh 30
days, for up to 3 times.
Now Microsoft has
confirmed that Windows Vista
can be used and run for 120
days or 4 months ( 3
rearms ), and extending the
activation grace period is not
a violation of the Vista End
User License Agreement (EULA).
All versions of Vista include
Windows Vista Ultimate allow a
30-day free period without
activation, except the
corporate-oriented Vista
Enterprise, which supports
only a three-day trial.
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 22.02.2007
