Upgrade Your Version of Vista (Anytime)
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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 Community Technology Preview (CTP) releases of Vista that went to testers starting last week. Windows Anytime Upgrade licenses will be sold by Microsoft's Solution Provider partners and PC makers, but not directly by Microsoft, according to information featured on the February CTP.
According to Vista Help File information that Microsoft posted and subsequently pulled from its Web site in mid-February: "If you want more features in Windows Vista, you can upgrade to another version. You can either buy a separate 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. "You can upgrade from Windows Vista Home Basic to either Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. If you have Windows Vista Business, you can upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate," the Microsoft information page said. Windows Anytime Upgrade, according to a splash screen that is part of the February CTP, will work in the following way. Users will be required to purchase online from one of its partners' Web sites a Windows Vista Upgrade license. Next, they will be directed to download and install that license. Finally, they will be required to insert their original Vista CD or DVD in order to install the upgrade. Microsoft recently announced its planned Vista version line up. There will be six core Vista versions, company officials said: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business and Enterprise. The Enterprise SKU will be available to Microsoft volume-license customers only. But given that there will be both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of all of these variants (except Starter, which will be 32-bit only), plus two special releases of Windows Vista without Media Player integrated, as required by the European Commission antitrust regulators, there are more than a dozen different Windows SKUs in the pipeline. In January, Jim Allchin, Co-President of Microsoft's Platform Products & Services Division, said not to expect Microsoft to deliver all of its Windows Vista versions, or SKUs on a single CD. While that was an admirable goal, Allchin said, Microsoft didn't have sufficient time to pull off such a feat if it were to get Windows Vista out the door this year. Allchin mentioned the company had an alternative plan in mind, called Vista Anytime Upgrade, about which he declined to say more. Microsoft has made no bones about its intention to encourage Windows users to upgrade to higher-end, "premium" versions of Windows in order to continue to fill the Windows coffers. Going forward, the company's focus is to get customers to buy at a higher price point, rather than upping the base price of Windows. Microsoft has yet to release Windows Vista pricing information. It will likely do so closer to the actual release of the product, which is expected some time this fall. Testers have been dabbling with the Anytime Upgrade technology for a couple of weeks now. The Windows Vista Buzz site described Windows Anytime Upgrade as "a program that will allow users who have purchased one version of Vista (to) upgrade anytime to a more expensive and feature-filled version." According to the Buzz, "Users purchase upgrades from a Website and run the upgrade from the install disk." Windows watcher Ed Bott noted that "you don't need to go to the store and purchase a new shrink-wrapped box to upgrade; all you have to do is go to Control Panel and run the Windows Anytime Upgrade program.." The WikiPedia entry for Windows Vista already has been updated to include information on Windows Anytime Upgrade. |
Comments (16)
Anytime Upgrade as a concept seems convenient, but depending on how "useless in practice" the base Vista release is, it might also represent a strategy to kill off old Vista PCs in the future, and thereby compel Windows-with-new-PC sales by virtue of artificially lessened supply. How so, you ask?.The answer being that if the base Vista needs at least one credit-card required upgrade to do most of what a common user will do with a PC (or if later apps require the new Vista graphics and force the "voluntary upgrade"), then a PC handed down to a charity or other user after its first owner retires it will very likely eventually need Windows reinstalled, at which time only the as-purchased "functionless" base Vista will be likely available.Aside from the fact the "Anytime" upgrade appears to lock out people who don’t use credit cards or who have poor credit and can't get a credit card, the Anytime concept effectively thus eliminates for MS the problem of there being a lot of older PC out there running "old" Windows Vista copies down the road. At least it will 6-8 years from now when most of the first Vista systems will be long since closeted or would have been passed on to charities, poor people, students etc. But this latter passing along may not happen as the base Vista probably won't be of much practical use by then.Lessened older PC availability will mean higher costs new PCs, and more people in the future answering the clarion call as to where they "want to go today" vis-a-vis Windows.
Posted by Keith Risler | March 5, 2006 12:32 PM
I think Microsoft is going to have a big problem with getting people to upgrade from XP, let alone get people to buy fancier versions of Vista. All the IT experts I talk to aren't interested in Vista and don't want to deal with it. I feel the same way.It reminds of the jump to XP: People (especially enterprises) are still using Windows 2000, and many of them refuse to upgrade to XP.
Posted by TI-Source Webmaster | March 5, 2006 9:49 PM
I bought on 1-30-07 a Desktop computer Compag Presario 2000 System #RK539-AA BA,Serial #CNX6510NN6. with the new Windows Vista HWQPV-JVRHP-BWVDQ-XGMF2.MY PROBLEM IS, THAT THIS MORNING i COULD NOT OPEN IT, BECAUSE IT IS ASKING FOR A PASSWORD.I did not remember to have written any password, I have tried to figure out which password I could have used,but unsuccessful,
Then I tried with your CD,but it does not work.Then I followed your instructions inserting a blank data disk,but it did not work.
Yesterday,I have a big problem,I could not use any data from my CD's to transfer them to my new computer.I alawys have had interference from Roxio which only offer to copy CD;'s I have tried to do any thing available from Roxio,but I HAVE CONSULTED IF I MUST REMOVE THAT PROGRAM WHICH I ALREADY HAVE IN CD(I bought it)
I am using my old computer with Windows XP,because my new computer is completly locked. In my receipt,WalMart offered to return it to the store withing 15 days and I may do that if I cannot solve this problem.By the way,I have read every paper or literature from Compag,but no information concerning my problems. I thank you
Posted by Carmen E. Beris | January 31, 2007 10:17 AM
I bought on 1-30-07 a Desktop computer Compag Presario 2000 System #RK539-AA BA,Serial #CNX6510NN6. with the new Windows Vista HWQPV-JVRHP-BWVDQ-XGMF2.MY PROBLEM IS, THAT THIS MORNING I COULD NOT OPEN IT, BECAUSE IT IS ASKING FOR A PASSWORD.I did not remember to have written any password, I have tried to figure out which password I could have used,but unsuccessful.I have read all papers and followed all instructions.
Posted by Carmen E. Beris | January 31, 2007 10:20 AM
Ihave had a nightmare experience just trying to order the Free? Vista upgrade. I bought my PC last week and I have been given loads of misinformation and nobody is interested. Microsoft "Not our problem" PCWorld the same. Modus " no we do not have your order, give it to us again". Now ordered twice and two payments taken and still don't know if my order has gone through. There is one phone line 080066644666 which has crashed but Microsoft say it has not. It has. What's the chances of getting one payment back and my Vista upgrade,not much. Why have I got to pay £ 16.10 anyway if its free.
Anybody out there can help, PLEASE
Posted by Margaret Tinken | February 2, 2007 12:37 PM
Margaret, I have had similar problems with ordered my "free" update to Vista: the update center keeps saying that I haven't submitted my proof of purchase (of computer), but I have. Seven times. Email site acknowledges recept of POP and then, when I ask about my order, says that it never received the POP, or that the POP I submitted was invalid. Has anyone found a solution to this problem???!!!
Posted by Katharine Hoyenga | February 24, 2007 4:58 PM
I BOUGHT MY GATEWAY COMPUTER 3WKS AGO AND I HAVE WINDOWS VISTA PREMIUM ALREADY INSTALLED ON THE COMPUTER SO I WANTED TO UPGRAGE TO ULTIMATE AND DID SO ONLINE WITH THE WINDOWSANYTIMEUPGRADE.COM AND PURCHASED IT FROM SAM'S CLUB AND THEN FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING ULTIMATE AND AFTER ALL THAT IT SAID MY DOWNLOAD WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND NOW I'M WITH OUT WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE AND $159.00!! IS THERE A WAY I CAN TRY TO REDOWNLOAD IT SOMEHOW BECAUSE I CAN'T FIGURE THIS OUT?!?! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN!!!
PLEASE.........
Posted by Melissa Roundell | February 28, 2007 8:18 PM
I am a Network consultant with several hudred users and decided to upgrade to Vista Business on my office computer so I could get familiar with it. Opps!
I upgraded from XP pro to Vista Business and when it completed it asked for my administrator password. I put it in and it did not recognize it and allowed me no other viable alternatives. Now I'm locked out of my computer.
I called Microsoft and they had no solution. The only viable alternative is to copy off the data, format the HD and start over.
Be very, very, careful of upgrades. I plan to avoid them for all my clients and only put in new installs, and only when I have to. XP Pro works just fine and Microsoft is screwing us again!
Posted by Lawrence Ott | March 1, 2007 12:19 AM
I have also had problems with the FREE Upgrade promotion. I sent my documents in by fax two months ago. Moduslinl acknowleged pover the phone that they had received thee but never updated my order status. I have spent the last four weeks sending emails, the repsonse getting less and less helpful. And today they sent an email saying they had NEVER received the proof of purchase - a lie, for certain. They may have lost or mishandled it, but they certainly received it - I have the fax log to prove it. This promotion was just a scam - I suggest everyone dealing with this file a complaint with the FTC.
Posted by Ronald McGuire | March 15, 2007 7:31 AM
Jan 8,2007 I purchased a Gateway Computer during the Microsoft Promotion of a Free Upgrade to Vista. I had to complete the paperwork and mailings several times before they agreed that they had received and approved. Now as of April 16, 2007. I have not received Vista. Microsoft says their contractor Moduslink has total control of the program, but Moduslink says 4 things on the same day.
1. The order was cancelled for unknown reasons!
2. The order was shipped over 30 days ago!
3. The order is still approved, but not shipped?
4. The Vista Upgrade has to come from Gateway because Vista doesn't have proper drivers for gateway computers.
So, I contacted Microsoft again, they said that only gateway can give me this promissed dvd. SO, Back to Gateway who says its all microsofts problem. So, back to Microsoft, Microsoft says they are SORRY that I'm upset but there is nothing they can do. I was screwed...
Ed Lynch
Posted by edward lynch | April 16, 2007 5:53 PM
I first ordered my Vista Upgrade on 2/3/2007, submitting my proofs via e-mail, notifying my big brother (who purchased the same computer I did), to order his. HE received his upgrade kit 2nd week of March. I, too, kept receiving e-mails that they did not have my proof of purchase. I e-mail 3 times, sent in 2 faxes and one a CRRR mail, and FINALLY was accepted after talking to a person and filing a complaint. THEN received a letter on 4/12 that it was shipped would be here in a week...NOT!! Next got an e-mail that it was with ExpressMail, which shows it routed to New Jersey(DUH) from Florida to New Jersey? And is sitting there. New got two e-mails that gave me a routing number that tells me it doesn't exisit! What ineptness can there be!!!
Posted by Patricia Harris Vernon | April 23, 2007 7:03 PM
I installed Vista Home Premium..
I have a new ASUS M2NPV-VM motherboard with 4Gigs of DDR2 800 mhz memory with an AMD X2 5200 CPU and
on-board NVIDIA GeForce 6 Graphics.. This is not a game machine, I use it for 2D Photo Imaging...
From the start, all of the CD's that came with the hardware that I purchased; ie: the new ASUS motherboard CD providing utilities and drivers, the new Sony DVD burner" Software Disc, Liteon CD burner's Nero software disc, would not be read by Vista. I get an error message of
"this program has known compatibility issues" or
"Motherboard Support CD does not support this operating ssystem"..
Additional problems..., when I attempt to open a graphic image in Vista, I only get an error message "ckserve" is not running on your computer and the image will not open... I also get many clumps/spots of pixels on my monitor during boot inn the black scrren....
When I purchased the motherboard, I found it listed as Vista supported...
It appears that Vista Operating System has many problems in regards to support of Hardware already in the system... some just a few months old...
Other than the above, installation was simple... Sadly, Vista does not appear to work fully with the NVIDIA GeForce 6 Graphics GPU...
Hmmmm, have I missed something???
Posted by Jim kasten | April 29, 2007 3:12 PM
I installed Vista Home Premium..
I have a new ASUS M2NPV-VM motherboard with 4Gigs of DDR2 800 MHz memory with an AMD X2 5200 CPU and
on-board NVIDIA GE-Force 6 Graphics.. This is not a game machine, I use it for 2D Photo Imaging...
From the start, all of the CD's that came with the hardware that I purchased; ie: the new ASUS motherboard CD providing utilities and drivers, the new Sony DVD burner" Software Disc, Liteon CD burner's Nero software disc, would not be read by Vista. I get an error message of
"this program has known compatibility issues" or
"Motherboard Support CD does not support this operating system"..
Additional problems..., when I attempt to open a graphic image in Vista, I only get an error message "ckserve" is not running on your computer and the image will not open... I also get many clumps/spots of pixels on my monitor during boot inn the black screen....
When I purchased the motherboard, I found it listed as Vista supported...
It appears that Vista Operating System has many problems in regards to support of Hardware already in the system... some just a few months old...
Other than the above, installation was simple... Sadly, Vista does not appear to work fully with the NVIDIA GeForce 6 Graphics GPU...
Hmmmm, have I missed something???
Posted by Jim Kasten | April 29, 2007 3:15 PM
Last December... I purchased a Toshiba Satelite Computer during the Microsoft Promotion of a Free Upgrade to Vista. I had to complete the paperwork and mailings twice, to Moduslink .They said they haven't received the proper paperwork... T . I have not received Vista. Microsoft says they are sorry ,they can't do anything... for me to contact Toshiba...
The contractor Moduslink useless....they said that they haven't received the proper paper work.
So... Microsoft says they are SORRY that I'm upset but there is nothing they can do.Screwed over again....I will never buy anything again with a rebate....There is always too much BS..to go through these Pee-On companies, that handle the rebates!!!!!! I think I'm going to dump this computer and buy an APPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jim Terepocki | August 28, 2007 3:28 PM
i purchased toshiba satelite A200 when purchasing they gave me vista home basic an telling me its a new featured laptop and so on then i realised that vista basic there is no windows aero glass effects after complaining they advise me to upgrade to premium its almost 190 pounds ill always tell the vista buyers please go for vista premium not for basic or ull be screwed like me............
Posted by peter | February 14, 2008 11:53 AM
I'm happy to say...I have "DUMPED" Microsoft from my Toshiba Laptop.....and now am running Linux!!
Never heard anything again about my "Free Mythical Vista Upgrade"!!
No Vista Crap need now...Thanks again Microsoft!!!
Posted by Jim Terepocki | April 29, 2009 12:17 PM