Microsoft To Shut Off Vista Beta 2

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Microsoft plans to close the Windows Vista Beta 2 test to new users after Friday, a company executive said Thursday, because the preview has reached its copy limit. Ian Moulster, a .Net product manager based in the U.K., blogged that the take-up on the free-of-charge beta had been "incredible," and that with the company's self-imposed download and mail-delivered limit fast approaching, the offer would be withdrawn. "When it's gone, it's really gone," Moulster wrote.

Microsoft confirmed the Friday shut-off in a message posted to the Vista Beta 2 site. The Redmond, Wash. developer released Beta 2 early this month, and at the time indicated that supplies might be limited. Currently, Vista is scheduled to release in November to corporate customers, and to consumers in January 2007. Moulster also urged Beta 2 users to activate their copies. "We may be able to provide people who have activated copies with future...stuff," he wrote. "I'm being vague because I need to be, just trust me and make sure you activate."

Download: Vista Beta 2

View: The full story

News source: CRN

#1 metalguy90 on 30 Jun 2006 - 18:53

i wonder what the future stuff will be?>!?!?!?!

woo0o0 ... first one to post here

#2 Magallanes on 30 Jun 2006 - 19:38

For now, vista beta 2 worth or is a bloatware?.

#3 David R. on 30 Jun 2006 - 20:34

Dag. I don't have a license key. I guess no Beta 2 for me.

#4 lylesback2 on 30 Jun 2006 - 21:20

thanks for the info! i've wanted to get this, may as well do it now!

(4 replies) #5 greatpumpkin02 on 30 Jun 2006 - 21:25

I have a key, but I can't download the beta... anyone want to activate my key? I'll forward it on...

EDIT - it's for English 32-bit...

#5.1 David R. on 30 Jun 2006 - 22:21

I just sent you a PM

#5.2 gwardog on 07 Jul 2006 - 00:58

Hi, I got to the vista download site late... was able to download 32bit and 64 versions. Unable to register and need assistance with obtaining a key for testing on my laptop. Since I am very happy with my XP setup, I just wanted to see what vista can do in both formats. I know that the key will allow up to 10 activations and most may not use all ten. From what I see I dont need to activate to use the product key... just uncheck activate when connected to network. If there is anyone that can help? Please let me know. I have added a temporary email address for correspondance on this. Thank you

#5.3 dutchmarcus on 12 Jul 2006 - 18:44

Hey,

I read that you might have a Vista key, I have downloaded the ISO but do not have a key, perhaps you would like to share it with me?

Thanks in advance

Marcus

#5.4 mousouchop on 13 Jul 2006 - 15:09

Would I be able to get this key off of you? I have been trying to find one for my downloaded version of the English 32-bit Vista. Please PM me whether or not I can use the code (so I know not to hope for it. XD)

Thanks in advance.

#6 trip21 on 01 Jul 2006 - 01:27

Shut off or toilet flush??

#7 wd40 on 01 Jul 2006 - 02:32

Quote -

For registered customers who have received a Product Key the download sites will remain open until Friday, July 14.

Source

#8 j0j081 on 01 Jul 2006 - 10:34

I ordered the DVD kit last week so I am ready. Now just waiting for it to arrive, might take a while it said.

#9 lukeangel on 02 Jul 2006 - 23:16

I tried to activate today and I kept getting Activation Errors. So hopefully it is not to late!

(1 reply) #10 remixedkitty on 03 Jul 2006 - 13:41

Nah vista isnt worth it. need alot of specs to use it and it's not worth it right now. wont install on my athlon64 3500 based system becuase I get errors. I reformatted a 20 GB partition for this!!!!!!!!!! grrrrrr!!!!!!! I reburned the damb iso and checked it, redownloaded it, etc and it was messed up could have been my system but sheesh what a warm welcome to vista that is! Might as well use that partition for kubuntu testing and might try gentoo out! Heard its kickass and uses reiserFS so it's a faster filesystem!!!! take that FAT (Fat Ancient and Tacky) and NTFS (Not To Frickin Swift)!!!!!

#10.1 gwardog on 07 Jul 2006 - 00:57

#11 NotsoHotso on 08 Jul 2006 - 09:31

Hey was curious if anyone could forward a key to me. I really want to try this out but was told about the beta after it closed = (. Anyways email me at benjigoo@hotmail.com please no spam just want a key for the 64bit ver

#12 irish021 on 12 Jul 2006 - 21:02

I too missed out on the Beta as I was on vacation 25 of 30 days in June. If anyone has an extra activation left on their key, thanks in advance for an email to JWilliams021@gmail.com.

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