Microsoft is warning those who are using Microsoft Vista Beta software to upgrade before May 31, 2007 so as not to lose data. This affects those who are still using Windows Vista Beta 2, RC1 and RC2. Users will be able to access their systems after May 31, 2007 in two hour increments only to access their data. Microsoft states that this 2 hour Window will be timed limited, but did not indicate when this would end.

On The Windows Vista blog site, there is a schedule posted which informs users which version of Vista they may upgrade to. The Vista Beta program used the Ultimate version, however users may upgrade to any Vista version as long it is in the same language.

Microsoft also describes the difference between a clean install and a in-place upgrade:

A clean install means your current version of Windows, including all of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced.  You must back up any data as this process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition.  The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable.

An in-place upgrade means you can install Windows Vista and keep your programs, files and settings from your current version of Windows.  It is still strongly recommended that you back up any data prior to initiating the upgrade.

So if you are one of the ones who are still using a test version of Windows Vista, you may wish to plan to upgarde your system before the May 31, 2007 expiration date.

Comments welcome.

More details here.

[tags]microsoft, vista, beta, expiration date, [/tags]