Be Sure to Activate Your Copy of Windows Vista Beta2 !

Please let us underscore a very important point surrounding Windows Vista Beta2 that can be easily overlooked in all the excitement to download and install the code: it is very important that every user activate Windows Vista Beta2 within the first 14 days of installation. Activation allows us at Microsoft to test our support infrastructure as well as the activation process itself. In addition, we'll be unable to provide you with a copy of RC1 (Release Candidate 1, the release subsequent to Beta2) unless your copy of Beta2 is activated.

Second, please take into account that all users of Windows Vista Beta2 will require a product key for installation. Once the CPP (Customer Preview Program) is closed, a customer should not attempt to download and install the bits unless s/he already has a product key. Otherwise, the code will not install.

Last, we understand that customers may be looking for faster ways to download Windows Vista Beta2 due to the high demand being experienced and we've become aware of alternative public channels that have cropped up to deliver the product in parallel. We must state that we cannot encourage those interested in using and testing the code to utilize these alternate channels. However, we can recommend that you visit the Windows Vista Beta2 Get Ready web site to either download Beta2 or order the DVD.