Comments

1. Corrine

   
   Posted on: March 16, 2007 at 2:24PM  

   Good news.  Thanks for listening and responding.

   Pingback:  http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2007/03/microsoft-to-adjust-vista-eula-for.html
2. Allan

   
   Posted on: March 16, 2007 at 6:53PM  

   So if i have a copy of a retail Window Vista Home premium [upgrade version] $159.99 and then decide to use Window Anytime upgrade to get Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade Version does this mean that i can now uninstall it on my current hp computer and install it to new build computer?
3. newscientist2000

   
   Posted on: March 17, 2007 at 11:52AM  

   Great news for those with retail copies of Vista :-)

   Although the interesting part is that the site actually refers to " full packaged product versions of Windows", which could be interpreted to mean any version of Windows with packaging.

   If you define packaging in its simplest form

   "Packaging refers to the container or wrapper that holds a product or group of products."

   Full packaging for a OEM product would be its sleeve and manual?  Thats all it comes with, so it is in effect its the Full packaging for that product!

   Of course I'm sure Microsofts legal experts disagree, and maybe there is more info in the full EULA which clearly defines these different Windows versions.  I would define the statement on the website as unclear.

   Having said that I am glad that you guys have made this change, it will make retail customers happy and will add value to those SKUs.

   One quick Question:

   Is there anyway to easily tell from a product key what version of Windows version you have OEM, Retail, NFR, Enterprise etc, Trial, Beta etc?

   Because that would clear up a lot of confusion.  Particularly for end users, it would be nice to be able to clearly tell from the product key if the version is exactly what you expect it to be.

   I know that OEM versions sometimes have OEM written in the key but are there any other identifiers that describe the other types?
4. BIGwaffleman

   
   Posted on: March 18, 2007 at 9:26PM  

   Is it possible to buy one copy of windows vista on disc, install it on two computers then validate the second installation with a product key bought online?
5. Nick White

   
   Posted on: March 19, 2007 at 1:09PM  

   Hey newscientist2000:  we (at least at MS) usually refer to retail-purchased products as "fully-packaged product", or FPP.  I make a short mention of FPP in this post:  http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/10/24/buy-a-pc-now-upgrade-to-windows-vista-later.aspx.  

   In any case, the point is not to be confusing -- FPP refers to a product purchased at retail only.  (We use too many acronynms, I know!)

   And, AFAIK, there is no way to look at a product key (PID) and determine the version or license it will install.
6. Nick White

   
   Posted on: March 19, 2007 at 1:13PM  

   Hey BIGwaffleman:  take a look at my comments from 30 Jan on this post, as it will explain that you can use the same media for multiple installations of Windows Vista; this is one of the main premises behind WAU:  http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/01/17/multiple-announcments-today.aspx.
7. newscientist2000

   
   Posted on: March 20, 2007 at 12:53AM  

   Thanks for the explanation Nick.

   Microsoft should really consider adding a clear code into the license keys for Vienna that can easily be read by the consumer so that they know easily the license type/vesion of Windows/Office they will get when they use that key.
8. Nick White

   
   Posted on: March 20, 2007 at 3:23PM  

   Hey Allan:  per the licensing change mentioned in this blog post, qualified WAU users are now granted the right to uninstall Windows Vista and then re-install the OS on a different computer.  Take a look at the EULA for more detail (note that the portion referring to this WAU licensing modification has not yet been updated):  http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx.
9. someone

   
   Posted on: March 21, 2007 at 8:50AM  

   PLEASE PLEASE clear my doubts:

   1. When you perform a WAU, do you get an upgrade-only key or an entire replacement key for a higher SKU? meaning everytime you reinstall on the same PC, you'll need the original key to install the original SKU, and then upgrade using the new key? Is this how it works? OR You can straightaway supply the new key for future installations to directly install the higher SKU?

   2. IF you get a replacement key, is the old key nullified/invalidated by MS/WGA? This applies obviously if and only if you are getting a new key, not an upgrade-only key.

   3. Will WAU be ever available in other countries like India etc?
10. Nick White

    
    Posted on: March 21, 2007 at 3:38PM  

    Hey someone:  I contacted one of my colleagues reponsible for WAU and he responded with the below -- hope this helps.

    1) The key for WAU is specific for an upgrade path and it verifies that you have a genuine edition of Windows Vista of the correct edition installed to upgrade from.  You are correct in your statement that you will need to install the base edition and then upgrade using the WAU digital upgrade file in case you need to reinstall a PC.  For more information about re-installing a PC that have been upgraded through WAU, please go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx.

    2) See above.

    3) WAU is currently available to end-users in 57 countries and Microsoft is looking into expanding to additional countries.
11. patfreel

    
    Posted on: March 24, 2007 at 11:13PM  

    I upgraded using WAU from Business to Ultimate.  I cannot seem to get a new product key for Ultimate.  I am told that if my system crashes, I will have to reinstall Business and then install Ultimate.  It seems like a clunky way to do things since the Ultimate code is on the Business DVD. One rep said that consideration is being given to issuing a Product Key when you purchase an upgrade.  Has any progress been made on this?

    Thanks

    Pat
12. wh5916

    
    Posted on: March 25, 2007 at 11:23PM  

    I'm seeing this news a week late, but no matter...I feel much better about Microsoft and Vista after reading this entry.

    I helped a friend with computer issues a few weeks back, and out of gratitude she gave me an upgrade, retail copy of Vista Home Basic. Basic is perfectly fine, but Home Premium is the version I was planning to ultimately purchase for myself.

    Now, at some point, I'll happily purchase the Anytime Upgrade to Home Premium. The licensing restriction that Microsoft has addressed in this change is one of the reasons I've had no desire to spend that extra money.

    Thank you for posting this news--I had no idea that this change to the licensing terms had been made.
13. Nick White

    
    Posted on: March 26, 2007 at 2:40PM  

    Hey patfreel:  The key for Windows Vista Ultimate is embedded in the digital license you get when upgrading online through Windows Anytime Upgrade.  The digital license will check for an underlying edition of Windows Vista Business during the upgrade, which is why a genuine version of Windows Vista Business in this case needs to be (re-)installed before an (re-)upgrade can be performed.
14. patfreel

    
    Posted on: March 26, 2007 at 11:00PM  

    Nick:  If I have to do a complete reinstall, I gather I have to be connected to the internet to be able to complete the upgrade from Business to Ultimate.  How is the upgrade done without an internet connection?

    Thanks

    Pat
15. Nick White

    
    Posted on: March 27, 2007 at 1:15AM  

    Hi again Pat:  once you've installed Business, you'll need to configure an internet connection to connect to WAU and download Ultimate for installation.
16. patfreel

    
    Posted on: March 27, 2007 at 7:28AM  

    Nick:  Thanks again for the info.  I still think it would be much more efficient to simply issue an Ultimate Product Key!  Take care.

    Pat
17. rsanders11

    
    Posted on: April 22, 2007 at 8:02PM  

    Why do I feel like when I used wau, I got nothing for my money. I think Microsoft should send me a upgrade disk for my money.
18. Nick White

    
    Posted on: April 22, 2007 at 8:45PM  

    Hey rsanders11:  when you purchased the WAU upgrade, you actually did get access to the WAU upgrade software via the Windows Marketplace Digital Locker, much as if you'd been sent a disc.  Take a look at the FAQ here for more information on what WAU offers:  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx.

    "Recovery of your upgrade:  A personal digital locker is created for you when you purchase a Windows Vista upgrade. Your digital locker stores your product keys and purchase information which, when used together, allow you to reinstall your upgrade if necessary. A copy of your upgrade is also stored in your digital locker."
19. rsanders11

    
    Posted on: April 24, 2007 at 3:11AM  

    Nick, I used WAU to upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate. I would like to get the 64 bit version, how do I do this without a key? The only key I have is for Home Premium.
20. Nick White

    
    Posted on: April 24, 2007 at 11:41AM  

    Hey rsanders11:  per the FAQ located here, http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx, you can only use WAU to upgrade a single chip architecture of Windows Vista -- i.e., if you own a 32-bit system, you can only upgrade to the 32-bit edition of Ultimate.

    "Can I change the system type during the upgrade (for example, switch from 32-bit to 64-bit)?

    No.  Your upgrade disc must match your current system type; 32-bit upgrades are valid only for 32-bit systems, and 64-bit upgrades are valid only for 64-bit systems."
21. TwisteD1

    
    Posted on: May 11, 2007 at 9:31PM  

    Quick question... I originally bought Windows Vista Home Premium full version, I Then bought the upgrade to windows Vista Ultimate to get the extra features available, can i re-use my Premium on another machine at home or do i have to buy another licence seeing as my premium key is no longer in use??
22. Nick White

    
    Posted on: May 15, 2007 at 12:24PM  

    Hey TwisteD1:  I'd suggest you re-read the EULA in this case so as to avoid being out of compliance with it.
23. TwisteD1

    
    Posted on: May 15, 2007 at 12:36PM  

    Okay thanks Nick
24. hrdn

    
    Posted on: August 02, 2007 at 7:17AM  

    Hmmmmm! So if i have a copy of a retail Window Vista business edition and then decide to use Window Anytime upgrade to get Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade Version does this mean that i can now uninstall it on my current hp computer and install it to new build computer?

    ----------

    http://www.dl4all.com
25. Nick White

    
    Posted on: August 02, 2007 at 5:08PM  

    Hey hrdn:  you are correct -- per the above, "[WAU] customers will be able to uninstall their upgraded copy of Windows Vista and re-install it on another device...[t]he number of device-to-device reassignments is no longer limited, provided that Windows Vista has been uninstalled from the original device."
26. smoreira

    
    Posted on: September 07, 2007 at 4:20PM  

    How does the Microsoft System know the Windows has been uninstalled from the original device in order to validate the new instalation?

    I would assume, we would have to go through a uninstall process of Windows Vista to update some form of installation database used to keep track of devices. However, how do we uninstall the main operational system on a machine to remove our device from the list?

    We usually just recreate partitions and format the hard drive to install a new one. But, if this road os followed, there will be no update to any sort of database system.

    The only way I can think this would work, is if the Windows Vista upgrade comes without any restriction in the media itself. Any thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Sam Moreira