Release Candidate versions of Vista SP1 will expire on June 30 - Uninstall Now!
During testing, we released several Release Candidate versions of Windows Vista SP1 on Microsoft Technet and the Microsoft Download center for broad customer testing. Thanks to everyone who tested or evaluated Vista SP1 earlier this year! Your feedback was instrumental in making the release successful.
Today I want to remind everyone who installed the Release Candidate that you must uninstall any RC builds (any build less than 6.0.6001.18000) before they expire on June 30. After this date, the kernel will stop with an END_OF_NT_EVALUATION_PERIOD error message an hour after the machine has booted. If you do wait until after June 30, just reboot your PC and start the uninstall process right away.
How do you know if you’re running a pre-release build?
If your desktop says “For Evaluation Purposes”, you are running time-limited beta/RC software and will need to uninstall. Another check is to hit the start button and type “WinVer” – if it lists an expiration date then you have a time-limited version of SP1.
How do you uninstall pre-release versions of Vista SP1?
If you installed SP1 Beta/RC as an update to an existing RTM version of Vista, you can probably uninstall it directly. For instructions on how to uninstall SP1, please seehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/948537. The best way is to uninstall from the “Programs and Features” control panel icon, using the “View Installed Updates” option on the left, click Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB936330), and then click Uninstall.
If you did a full install (a.k.a clean install) of SP1 from a DVD or network share, or updated an RTM version using the DVD to do an upgrade full install, there is no uninstall method; we recommend you back up your data, reformat, and start with an RTM DVD (and then install SP1) or a final SP1 integrated install DVD. While you may be able to force upgrade using a full install upgrade, this isn’t a recommended practice over the Beta or RC version of SP1.
Installing the final build of SP1 after the uninstall of the pre-release build
If you want to install the final SP1 build after uninstall is complete, first check Windows Update. If Windows Update offers you SP1, that’s the best way to install. If Windows update does not offer SP1 your computer may have one of the problematic drivers we have documented in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948343. If you installed the Beta or RC builds, you probably dealt with this with already and it wasn’t a major issue. If you don’t see SP1 on Windows Update, you should visit the download center to install the standalone SP.
I do want to let you know up-front that we expect a small number of you may hit a glitch in uninstalling the RC builds. In some cases, the installation did not complete successfully and you may not be able to uninstall using the techniques in the KB. Fortunately, thanks to the broad beta testing, we were able to uncover and fix most of these issues prior to release. Unfortunately, those of you with machines that can’t uninstall and are coming up on the June 30 expiration date will need to take additional steps. If this happens, the best solution is to back up your data and do a full reinstall (or restore OEM image). Any other hacks or workarounds may leave your system in a state where future updates may not install properly. I apologize for the extra work, but finding these types of issues is a key reason for having beta versions of software.
Once again, thanks for taking the time and effort to give us feedback.
Sincerely,
-Tony Mann
Answers
- Stuart
You posted this message in the Windows Vista forums.
If you are looking for the Windows 7 forums, click the following link.
Windows 7 Forums Main Page
Hope this helps.
Ronnie Vernon MVP
Forum Moderator- Marked As Answer byRonnie VernonMVP, ModeratorFriday, May 29, 2009 6:40 AM
All Replies
- Thanks for the reminder.
Hi,
anyone know if such date (and which date it is) also exist for any pre-final of SP3 for XP ?
BR,
127127
You might want to check on the Windows XP SP3 forums.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) - TechNet Forums:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience- yep, i just got my 14 days reminder, either I format or fista will stop working..
I never got an answer as to how to force install the SP1 on a legit Vista install with SP1 Rc on it, just excuses..
Thanks a lot. Sirius
Trying to 'force' the final version of SP1 onto a system with a SP1 beta version installed just cannot be done. Even if this was accomplished, you would end up with a real mess.
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop ExperienceHi, I have been receiving the Windows vista is about to expire messages. I have the 'Evaluation copy. Build 6000' message on my desktop in the right corner.
I followed the instructions on how to uninstall the SP1 RC1 service pack. This completed successfully. however I still have the 'evaluation copy' message on the desktop. I checked the information on WinVer and I still have an expiry date showing.
I ran the windows update and got a list of about 20 updates to install but none of them are the offcialy service pack (SP1 RTM).
What should I do? I have a legitimate copy of Windows Vista from Dell.
Jimbo
That message on the Desktop and in Winver should disappear after a couple of reboots.
Make sure you install all of the updates that are offered on Windows Update. There are many pre-requisite updates that must be installed before the final SP1 will be offered on Windows Update and this is the safest way to install SP1.
Wait for a couple of days and check Windows Update often.
If this post helps to resolve your issue, click the Mark as Answer button at the top right of this message.
This will help others who are having this issue find the answer quicker.
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience- Thanks Ronnie. After 3-4 windows updates and reboots the evaluation copy message disappeared. The date also disappeared from WinVer. I did have trouble installing the next 7 updates. Each time I did it some would fail. I kept trying and eventually they all installed correctlly. I have just been offerred the SP1 through windows update and it successfully installed. The laptop seems to be fine now. Thanks for your help. Jimbo
Jimbo
That's great! Glad you got everything updated.
If this post helps to resolve your issue, click the Mark as Answer button at the top of this message.
By marking a post as Answered, you help others find the answer faster.
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experiencei have the exact same issue. i un installed sp1, and ran updates, hpefully it resolves itself like it did on yours.
- There has to be away to do this? I just do not have the time to monkey with a complete install...
Hi,
I've unistalled the SP1 RC version and installed the final SP1 (downloaded from the MS site ). I still got the desktop text: evaluation version build 6001.
Is there really no work around to fix this problem? (4 days left
, 2 days ago the first message about the expire...)thanks,
Iman
it looks like after uninstalling, and 15 restarts ( 23 new updates ) it finaly cleared the notice on the screen, but it has not re installed the sp1. .... i guess ill wait to see if takes care of it on its own one of these days...
if not.... i have the latest relese of red hat standing by......
Iman,
If you have successfully uninstalled SP1 RC, then the eval message should go away after the next reboot.
-Tony Mann
Hi Tony,
unfortunally it isn't...
so I'm preparing for reinstall....
Iman
- I have a laptop with Vista pre-installed, didn't realize this was an evaluation copy.
If I uninstall SP1 and re-install with the Disc I recieved, will the evaluation go away?
Do I need to re-install Vista? Or should I be ok with just uninstalling and re-installing the SP? 6001.17128.080101-1935 v.774
Hello,
None of the uninstall methods Microsoft shows works.
I have 2 days, went to remove updates...not there, read everything... nothing works. I manage a 12,000 user network and if Microsoft will not give a reg fix or something to uninstall v744 on a working Vista Ultimate machine, then i will make sure not to have the company upgrade as this is now morbid. There is no excuse for Microsoft not to provide a un-installer for RC sp1 V.744. I did not even want the RC1 it just showed up in my updates and i updated it. Now Microsoft’s answer is to reformat? How about the 100K of software, AutoCAD, Solid works, Office 2007, and all the other software we own that will need new keys, authorizations and will cost 1000's of dollars?. Again what a celebration for Bill Gates Leaving. Screw all the Beta guys, offer no support, and for the few that got the RC1 SP showing up in their updates and clicked they are SOL.
Thanks again Microsoft.
We help you perfect your software... you give us the shaft with an attitude.
Get off your 6 and make a Reg fix or some patch that will remove this thing from all the computers you forced it on ASAP!
Kind Regards
Never again..
- Agreed 100% Betaman44.
I'm not testing any more Micorosoft software unless directed to do so by my company and even then, I'll recommend against it. This expiration stuff combined with the lack of a reasonable upgrade path makes it impractical for us to test under real world situations without completely wasting our time post-release to clean up the pre-release mess. Hopefully, by not participating in future beta tests, we can collectively diminish the value that Microsoft is able to get from wide-release beta tests. We know that the quality of the product will suffer as a result, too. Until we're compensated for our time, then MS will just have to actually pay testers to find bugs. For any of you who may be having trouble uninstalling SP1 RC, if you have a slipstream build (Windows Vista installation with SP1 built in), you can try to run an update using this disc.
-Tony Mann
- Yep, I just got my 14 days admonisher, either I format or fista will cease working... I never got an answer as to how to force install the SP1 on a legit Vista install with SP1 Rc on it, Thank you! _________________________ Aady Link Building
1. I never received a reminder email.
2. Evaluation day number expiration countdown message never appeared on my screen.
3. For more than two months I've suffering from the two-hour shut down issue.
4. I just found this thread today. It was by chance because I was able to catch blue screen flash "END_OF_NT_EVALUATION_PERIOD" before going blank.
5. Perhaps I would have caught this issue prior to 06/30/08 but for the fact I was studying for the July bar exam. I had no choice but to take the exam writing longhand because I could not trust my brand spanking new Toshiba notebook with Vista + SP1 beta to function properly.
6. For the past 12 hours I attempted uninstalling Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB936330). I attempted going backward by uninstalling Windows Updates installed after this SP.
After clicking uninstall and restart, reboots and "Uninstalling Windows Update" Stages 1, 2 and 3 complete 100% then reboots continuously to uninstalling Stage 3 99%, reboots at 100% and went for hours.
7. F8 to system restore and no restore pints indicated SP uninstalled. The only way I was able to get on and submit this REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE or workaround.
8. I'm afraid to reformat because I will lose my time-sensitive licensed bar prep software installation.
9. I am near desparate enough to make the two-hour drive to the Toshiba campus in Irvine, except I don't have the $ for gas. [No, I don't have a Toshiba DVD.]
10. IS THERE ANYTHING MICROSOFT CAN DO TO HELP?
Jimmy
Palm Springs, CA
P.S. Did I mention how much I miss XP?
- Hi Tony
Sorry to worry you, but tried to find on these 'huge forum pages' ...without luck...any thread that told me what we testers of the Beta now the RC may have to pay (if we do get any discount for our troubles) when the Professional version comes out?
I love this new version, hated Vista, and think this may crawl back your market share some what...have to admit to even converting to Linux after Vista came out, this now has my vote as a winner for Microsoft.
Just want to know if any discount applies to those who have had the versions if you could either point me to a thread that tells me or tell me directly, it would be appreciated.
Cheers
Stuart - Stuart
You posted this message in the Windows Vista forums.
If you are looking for the Windows 7 forums, click the following link.
Windows 7 Forums Main Page
Hope this helps.
Ronnie Vernon MVP
Forum Moderator- Marked As Answer byRonnie VernonMVP, ModeratorFriday, May 29, 2009 6:40 AM
