Comments on: Vista upgrade workaround revealed

An IT professional discovers a way of getting a full version of Vista for the cost of a simple upgrade.

[Thomas, David]

An "authorized" workaround?

Sounds like a carrot.

[Lindy01]

Dollar short and a day late...

"Other Web sites also have published the workaround."

This was all over the place the day Vista shipped.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

[bobby_brady]

This isn't anything new

In fact I believe Microsoft knew about this "work around" before they released Vista. I'm sure they had their reasons to keep it in there.

[thedreaming]

paid copy

So long as Microsoft got you to pay for a copy, that's all they really want. They have to say that it violates the EULA but deep down, they're just happy you aren't giving out copies to all your friends!

[Marcus Westrup]

Question:

Does the Vista "upgrade" version require windows to be pre-installed, or will it accept the (older windows) install disk as proof of eligibility?
I ask because I've yet to see any Windows upgrade work well - a fresh install is always best.

[ajbright]

You may have missed the point

you don't need a previous version of Windows at all.

You simply install Vista as a full install - then instead of activating it (it won't activate because your key is for the upgrade version not a full install) you proceed to install Vista again - this time using the Upgrade option rather than the clean install option.

Vista then sees a valid OS on the hard disk (it doesn't know or care that this valid version hasn't been activated) and will happily proceed.

The reason this came about is not because someone wanted to save $40, but because people have been downgrading their operating systems from XP Pro to Vista Home Premium, or worse, Vista Home Basic.

The way the installation works is to install the full Ultimate version of Vista on every hard disk, then unlock the purchased portions via a key. If you want to officially upgrade XP Pro then you need a Vista Business or Vista Ultimate upgrade key, anything else is a downgrade.

They could have made all the upgrade versions of Vista compatible with all the versions of XP, however then you would have people complaining that they've been cheated (which indeed they have been).

[nmcphers]

Answer

Yes. Vista "upgrade" requires you to have a version of Windows previously installed. It will NOT accept install disks as proof.

[vm019302]

Another Question:

Why would Microsoft not simply have allowed customers to perform a clean install using the upgrade DVD without having another version of Windows actually running? Since they've allowed this workaround, all they've done is inflicted a great inconvenience on legitimate customers for absolutely no reason.

[jabbotts]

I suspect the work around may be temporary

We'll likely see a "fix" for this workaround with a later service pack. In the past, it was too easy to get around the upgrade validation so with Vista and the newer, less consumer conserned MS it's not (officially) suppose to upgrade without an older OS on the drive.

Like anything, if it's not broke, don't fix it. MS old upgrade process was broken in there view.

[nmcphers]

Another Answer

Only people who read tech sites like this and build their own computer will resort to the work around. The majority of people will pay for the full version to avoid the inconvenience or because they don't know about the work around. Microsoft wins.

[cuke2u]

Not new...

Hi, actually it was revelaed by myself on the 29/1/07 here http://www.warp2search.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=31186 and then confirmed by MS a few days later. All this guy is copying is old news. Perhaps cnet should check their sources a bit more thoroughly...
cuke2u

[tinye13]

XP Pro

This has been an issue with XP Pro. If you install the operating system, do not register, then format and install windows again and it does not ask you to register it.

[imhodudes]

Bill: "Oops, I did it again!"

As always, Microsoft makes it super easy to "violate" their license "agreement" in order to assure monopolistic distribution of their OS, then whines that they've "lost" millions in "revenue" as they continue to make their staff into millionaires. I was wondering how they'd work around their own increased "anti-piracy" measures, and here it starts. Hmm, wonder if they write off all that "lost revenue" for a tax break?

[J_Satch]

Maybe "read" the "article" first...

...then you would "know" that nobody said "anything" about lost "revenue". And how does this "assure" monopolistic "distribution" of their OS? Sounds "like" someone is "jealous" about not "becoming" a Microsoft "millionaire". """"""""""

Gotta get "in" plenty of "quotes""!"

[WJeansonne]

A perfect solution for Linux cheapskates

Linux users always looking for something "free" will probably fall for this hook, line and sinker, not realizing that they are abandoning their ridiculous "panacea" for computing. LOL.

[ralfthedog]

We don't use Linux because it is free.

I pay just as much for server space on Linux as I would for Windows. The advantage of Linux for me is that it is far easer to manage, has fewer exploits, fewer restrictions and generally costs less to run.

I would pay X10 upfront cost for Linux what I would for Windows.

[WJeansonne]

A perfect solution for Linux cheapskates

Linux users always looking for something "free" will probably fall for this hook, line and sinker, not realizing that they are abandoning their ridiculous "panacea" for computing. LOL.

[qwerty75]

sad

It is sad that you think Linux users are "cheapskates". Why? Because they do not want to pay hundreds for an OS that is several orders of magnitude worse then Linux?

Linux is years ahead of Windows, in some cases(no performance degradation, no running AS or AV software, no need to run defrag tools) decades ahead of Windows.

I can get a copy of Vista Business for free(through MSDNAA) and it still can't compete at that price.

[fcekuahd]

Astroturfing stooge. LOL LOL LOL

eom

[battlefella]

"Full Package" Windows is a minor product for MS

Nearly everyone has a prior version of Windows SOMEWHERE, or knows someone that has an extra one from an old computer in the basement etc; and corporations buy licenses, and new computers come with Vista; very, very few full packages are ever sold by MS.

So I can't see this being a major issue. Years back it used to be that Upgrade versions simply asked you to confirm that you had the product with a checkbox, and the onus was on the reseller to ask for proof of prior ownership. (I recall having a box full of old Wordperfect manual titlepages we had to take as proof of ownership). So this is nothing new.

[DarkHawke]

Nifty, but a REALLY cool hack would be...

...finding a way to let me get Windows Vista Ultimate from my Home Premium upgrade disc without having to pay the upgrade fee! Anyone feel up to THAT challenge? ;)

[1Incognito]

Silly windows-heads

I'm (only) slightly offended by this article's reference to "Linux users" being the ones most likely to take advantage of this further example of Microsoft's continued incompetence in the field of software development.

This bug in the installer/deployment system for Vista doesn't have anything to do with Linux, and there's no reason to single out Linux users in regards to trying to steal MS software without paying for it.

I know plenty of windows users who've never touched or considered another OS like Linux or OSX who run illegal copies of MS operating systems. As a Linux/Mac user I don't have a need for MS latest bloatware because I've already got a better alternative.

So keep on trying to blame Linux users for Microsoft's lack of anything resembling quality control. It's obviously done a really good job for you up to this point...

--posted via Mozilla Firefox from a paid-for copy of Novell/SuSE Linux--

[coconinoite]

I must admit...

I don't look forward to the day when Vista gets foisted on me at the office. Sounds like a lot of pain...

[guatel]

vista upgrade

I try to put the full version of the vista but requested a password always and lock all the time to be able to use I had to removed vista and install the upgrade

Now we can said WOW

[ogman]

Microsoft is filled with...

...arrogant jackasses, who have no clue how to traet customers.

[ogman]

Microsoft is filled with...

...arrogant jackasses, who have no clue how to treat customers.

[whydidtheydothis]

Ok, so I understand the whole "trying to stop folks from stealing the os" but what if I upgrade from XP like they want, then later my PC crashes and I have to replace the drive.... according to MS, I cant reuse my upgrade version of Vista legaly?!?!? I then would need to buy a full version to reload it instead of the way I've done it in the past which is load the upgrade and wait till it asks for the original cd..... Or go through the agony of loading XP, then the upgrade. Almost makes me want to go to a Mac.