Microsoft Ignores Vista Upgrade Loophole

by Marco Chiappetta — Tuesday, February 06, 2007, 12:45 PM EDT

Unlike previous version of Windows, that only required a valid, older CD to be inserted to verify ownership, upgrade versions of Windows Vista require a previous OS installation to function. A workaround for this issue was posted to web within hours of Vista's release, however, that didn't require an older OS at all. It was initially thought that MS would do something right away to eliminate the workaround, but now that doesn't seem to be the case...

"Microsoft will not close a loophole that offers consumers a cheaper way to upgrade to Windows Vista. As vnunet.com reported last week, users can install the upgrade version of the new operating system as a fresh installation, even if they do not currently own a licensed copy of Windows XP."

So much for buying full versions of Vista. If there's no real consequence to using this workaround, the incentive for consumers to spend much more money on a full version of Vista just isn't there.

Tags: Microsoft, Vista, NOR, Upgrade, OS, MIC, loop, IGN, icrosoft, Micro

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com