Windows Vista Please someone help me. Can't find my Vista key....

I started testing Beta 1, and the key was at the bottom of an email from Microsoft. It worked just fine with both RC1 and RC2. Of course, it would work with RTM as well. But stupid me had to let it expire from the email client I'm using.

What can I do??? I know I can install it without it, but does that mean some features won't work or be installed?? Also, in Control Panel --> System, there is the "Registered to:" number. Can I do anything with that? Is there an email address for MS? This really *****.

 

Vista Beta participants have not been given Vista RTM, nor will they be.

Nor would the Beta 1 key work for Vista; (the Beta and RC keys were never distributed by email anyway). All Beta and RC keys are still available on microsoft.connect for Beta participants.

The only copies of Vista that are available outside of Microsoft at the moment are TAP copies; and are TAP-keyed.

MSDN subscriber downloads of Vista RTM will begin on November 17, 2006 and the microsoft.connect site will issue subscriber keys at that time.

VLK participants will begin being issued RTM materials on November 30; with roll-out expected to take four weeks. VLK participants have already received their materials for creating local authentication servers.

Retail copies of Vista will be available at the very end of January, 2007.

For those with MSDN Subscriber download priviliges, Office 2007 was made available beginning November 12, 2006.

 

I did get the key in an email from Microsoft, and it worked in Beta 1, (I skipped Beta 2), RC1 as well as RC2. So you're saying it would not work in RTM???

Also, can you or anyone else, tell me if certain features won't be installed if I do it without the key?

 

If you got any Vista key in email you were in the CTP program, not the Beta program. The CTP keys would work on any CTP release.

No CTP participant has been, nor will be, sent an RTM of Vista.

The entire key process is different in RTM.

And no, the CTP key will not work for Vista RTM. (CTP keys would not work for Beta participant releases of Vista either, nor will Beta participant keys work with RTM).

You ask what happens if you do not activate. If you choose at the point of installation not to activate, you will be required to do so when activation finishes and your computer boots into Vista for the first time. There will be displayed 40 characters, and a phone number to contact Microsoft. Microsoft will return a 25 character key in response to your 40 character string. If you decline this activation, you will, just as in Windows XP, face reminders to activate. At the end of thirty days Vista enters a reduced capability mode:

Cori Hartje, Director, Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative stated a month ago:

 

Bill,

Thanks again for your help. 30 days? No problem. So, I'll be able to run the full RTM with all features for 30 days at least? And what was the CTP? Because I did download RC1 directly from MS. What's the difference between that and the other Beta testers? Hmmm...

 

If you were a Beta participant rather than CTP participant you could use your account at microsoft.connect and find all of your activation keys.

If you have issues connecting to your microsoft.connect account, contact them: mchelp@microsoft.com
They respond 24/7.

If you feel that you simply have lost your TAP COA key, your registration will be on file with the longhorn beta group. You may contact them here:
LHBeta@microsoft.com.

If you are unhappy with the answer you get, let me know and I will contact the Longhorn PM directly myself to expedite things. Please supply your Beta ID Number to me in a Private Message, although since I have your full name from a previous Private Message that is likely enough.

 

Thank you for your help. Then I can get my key back, but apparently, it will be of no use for build 6000. Oh well...I just love operating systems. I am an MCSE+I, so I like messing around with betas, etc.