Ed Bott over at ZDNet is really on top of things because he noticed that you don’t have to enter in a product key when installing Windows Vista. If you simply leave the product key field blank and try to continue it will ask which version of Vista you want to install.
You will have up to 14-days to supply a product key after you have installed any of the Vista versions, so now you are can try out different ones to see which best fits your needs. Remember that if you select the wrong version for the serial number that you have you will need to reinstall Vista completely, so if you already have a serial number then I highly recommend you just enter it in while performing the installation.
This should also help satisfy those people who didn’t receive a product key for Vista Beta 2 but they want to test out the Vista RC1 that was just released the other day. I would imagine that Microsoft should be able to get new keys out to the public within two-weeks which is how long you have before Windows expires.
I am just going to wait until the official release as I only currently have the one computer. I will be buying the full Ultimate version. KA-CHING!
Not that I really want to try it out anyway, but if I did, I don’t have the drive space I only have about 5 GB free.
I’m just a software freak and love to install new things. Of course that also forces me to reformat my hard drive quite frequently.
I used to be that way, but now days I just have too much to do. I really need to wipe my system again and re-install, but too busy. I usually do it about every 6 months, but have not in the last 9 months or so.
I am trying to wait until I get Vista.
Ah, see? This is why I keep an eye here, you’ve got the information I need! Now I won’t have to wait to get a key. Hopefully they’ll release some new ones before the 2 weeks is up.
Thanks, Ryan.
No problem! It is always good to hear that I have helped someone.
If you’re as big of a geek as I am then you’ll love Vista. I highly recommend downloading Avast as your Antivirus solution. I think it is the best one that is currently compatible.
Hrm, apparently I accidentally got 2 product keys for Beta 2. Does anyone need one of mine? I think they can be used for up to 10 computers, so I really only need one.
natmaster:
Not sure if you still have it, but if you happen to see this and you’re still looking to give it up I would be one very grateful recipient at davidc[at]symplebyte[dot]com
Thanks!
David