Vista SP1 - My Windows is now an ​"​Evaluation Copy' WTF

So SP1 may have fixed some of my issues, but apparently it's created a major one of its own.

My Windows Desktop now says

Windows Vista
Evaluation Copy, Build 6001

Nothing asking me to activate though, wtf is going on here?

Hehe, doesn't even make sense...
Check this out.

http://www.ghacks.net/2007/12/10/remove-evaluation-copy-from-vista-sp1/

According to Microsoft this message is just a reminder for the user that he is using a release candidate of Service Pack 1 which will stop functioning eventually.

How utterly useless.

..the cubicle across from you is empty ..  Go NOW!....    

I cannot wait for SP1.

Faster local and remote file copy operations is something I've long needed from from Vista. Its presently slower than a turtle climbing a steep grade.

The new RDP compression algorithm sounds sweet too... upto 50% less bandwidth requirements? That will be totally swell for my Terminal Server.

So I guess you either did read this was beta, or have never used a beta product before.

phreaks wrote:

So SP1 may have fixed some of my issues, but apparently it's created a major one of its own.

My Windows Desktop now says

Windows Vista
Evaluation Copy, Build 6001

Nothing asking me to activate though, wtf is going on here?

it CLEARLY says in the Beta README that you will get that message

Yeah this is normal behaviour for OS and SP betas.

OK, so clearly I am the exception here, I just fail to see the point.

I didn't have time to read the notes, I was busy spending ridiculous amounts of hours vainly attempting to resolve numerous other issues.

Owning a pc that works shouldn't be a full-time job.

So if at some point in time, if I don't update to the RTM of SP1, my OS will stop working?

phreaks wrote:

So if at some point in time, if I don't update to the RTM of SP1, my OS will stop working?

..that's how i read too.. like.. terrifiying..

*since when do even beta service packs stop working?

if it updates core system - that should be it... if it doesnt work - your problem for loading a beta - but if it does work... it shouldnt STOP working... sheesh

jamie wrote:

..that's how i read too.. like.. terrifiying..

*since when do even beta service packs stop working?

Since forever?

I distinctly remember this being the case at least as far back as Windows 2000 SP1.

Microsoft understandably doesn't want people to run beta versions when they no longer should. It'd be a support nightmare, plus problematic for the customers as well (because as long as they're running the beta, they can't install any other system updates either).

EDIT: And it's a beta. Rule number 1 of using betas (especially OS betas): if you're not prepared to lose the system (i.e. have to reformat afterwards), don't install it. If you're not willing to prepare yourself (read the release notes etc.) you lose your rights to complain.

And if you don't report issues through appropriate channels, you don't have a right to complain when they don't get fixed, right Jamie?

Xaero_Vincent wrote:


Faster local and remote file copy operations is something I've long needed from from Vista. I

I've tested. No improvements at all. Same slow. As I said before - they improved performance from 1 to 2 (twice! 100%), but normal is 5...

Sven Groot wrote:



And if you don't report issues through appropriate channels, you don't have a right to complain when they don't get fixed, right Jamie?

i prefer the inappropriate channel  

phreaks wrote:

Owning a pc that works shouldn't be a full-time job.

Ahhh, remember the good old days when computers were fun.  Before they were overloaded with bureaucracy.

jamie wrote:



Sven Groot wrote:  And if you don't report issues through appropriate channels, you don't have a right to complain when they don't get fixed, right Jamie?

i prefer the inappropriate channel  

I think we should prepare ourselves for all the post SP1 threads...

Also they "introduced" ("reinvented"? ) "OS patching without system restart" aka "Hotpatching"! Great! I'm glad to hear this. BUT! This feature WAS PROMISED even in Vista's release! Liars...

phreaks wrote:


Owning a pc that works shouldn't be a full-time job.

Was someone holding a gun to your head and forcing you to install SP1?

Seriously, if you don't have the time to deal with Beta's of Service Packs then just don't install them. Wait for the RTM release which will happily trickle down over Windows Update and install for you.

It's only a full time job if you're determined to make it that way.