Hackers, start your engines: all Vista versions on one DVD

You probably remember the old hack that lets you change a couple of digits in a registry key in order to burn a disc capable of installing Windows XP Pro when all you paid for was the cheaper Home edition. Well it looks like Microsoft is once again looking to save a few bucks at the expense of minimizing piracy, as the company has reportedly confirmed to IDG News Service that every version of Vista -- from Home Basic to Ultimate -- will ship on a single DVD when the OS is finally released. Besides enabling Redmond to cut costs, there are even more self-serving interests at play in this decision: by giving consumers an easy way to upgrade, Microsoft is hoping that more people will drool over the extra features in the pricier packages and decide to throw down the cash for a new registration key. Of course the downside to this strategy is that somehow, somewhere, some clever hacker is going to figure out a way to get Ultimate onto his/her machine without the upgrade fee (after disabling WGA of course), and people the world over with less morals than ourselves or our readers will gleefully follow suit. Anyway, we could never in good conscience recommend that you partake in such illegal activities, but as per usual, you can be sure that we'll be reporting on this hack the minute it hits our tip jar.

[Eagle117 @ Sep 20th 2006 2:57PM]

That is how it's been since Vista Beta 1 was released.

[Grizz @ Sep 20th 2006 4:34PM]

But im willing to bet x64 and x86 will still remain on seperate DVD's

[Andy @ Sep 20th 2006 2:57PM]

Ummm...sweet? :-)

[Bill @ Sep 20th 2006 2:58PM]

Actually, we've known this for quite a while. Supposedly, you'll be able to just enter an "upgrade key" to upgrade to any version of Vista without doing a re-install. Just like installing a giant service pack.

[Eagle117 @ Sep 20th 2006 3:23PM]

Actually, you'll have to buy the upgrade digital license but you aren't supposed to actually get a new key. it will be stored in a digital lockbox with the company you purchase the upgrade from (Not Microsoft direct). Then it will go through basically a reinstall procedure although it will keep your current files. As of earlier tests of this, you still had to reapply service packs and updates after doing this.

[airpolgas @ Sep 20th 2006 2:58PM]

Title:
Hackers, start your engines"

Post:
"we could never in good conscience recommend that you partake in such illegal activities"

Which one is it, Evan?

[Kiazen @ Sep 20th 2006 3:01PM]

Well I'll be the first to say that I won't partake in any of this Home to Ultimate stuff.

Wait, Wait who am I kidding.

@all hackers - ok gentlemen, my stopwatch is ready, let's see who's the fastest.

[Michael La Framboise @ Sep 20th 2006 7:30PM]

@kiazen - *RING RING RING!!!* DONE! - oh wait; I've been done for the last month :p

[joel johnson @ Sep 20th 2006 3:07PM]

This is consistent with how things work with the betas. the only differences in the discs is x86 version vs x64 version, but the key you enter affects the version that installs.

[Thiago @ Sep 20th 2006 3:19PM]

i�m just warming up my mouse and keyboard...as soon as hackers start their vista-match game...i wanna see the reports here on engadget...and just can�t promisse i won�t make sure hackers did a great job...

[Joe Alien @ Sep 20th 2006 3:23PM]

A fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of people care about this.

[disciple83 @ Sep 20th 2006 3:30PM]

1 is a fraction (1/1) so it would seem under that pretense, everyone cares. Anyway, Joe's right, kinda. Everyone is waiting for Vista, check. But most people aren't gonna be building their own machines, therefore, will more than likely not require an actual Vista disc, just a recovery disc from the PC's supplier.

[Rick @ Sep 20th 2006 3:39PM]

Heres my bet:

5 hours from the grandoir Vista launch party, first rumors will surface about it being hacked, followed by a torrent and a uTube vid of some 15 year-old pressing a crl+f8 registry workaround that boots vista ultimate. 3 hours after that i will be installing my very own, very legitimate copy of vista purchased from a credible and reputable licenced microsoft products distributor...

[disciple83 @ Sep 20th 2006 3:41PM]

and applying the workaround to your bsaic, low-version, licenced software, to get the extra bang for your buck.

[Gerard Boyers @ Sep 20th 2006 3:45PM]

Old news old news - http://www.vistasector.com/news/45/all-versions-on-one-disk/

But it does seem to be a whopping great oversight on Microsoft's part. Or perhaps they have some really intricate, and subsequently annoying, licencing and activation system. We haven't heard anything major beyond the XP-standard systems.

Surely Microsoft have something up their sleeves, otherwise they're walking straight into an open grave if one single volume licence key gets leaked.

[Eagle117 @ Sep 20th 2006 4:16PM]

Apparently even Volume License Keys will still need to talk to a valid license server either at Microsoft or at the organization so it won't be like previous keys.

[Razor @ Sep 20th 2006 3:45PM]

Engadget, in all honesty, would you tolerate a hack that, say, stripped your web site of all references to your sponsors?
(I didn't think you would).
So why do you make the hacker that strips DRM and license fees into Robin Hood?

[. @ Sep 20th 2006 4:02PM]

"stripped your web site of all references to your sponsors?"

That's what http://adblock.mozdev.org/ is for :)

[Rick @ Sep 20th 2006 4:04PM]

oh man, you mean no ads? Razor, you are a genius. why hasnt anyone come up with this before?
"that man is a strait shooter with upper management written all over him"

dude get off your high horse and read the post...

[Ferny @ Sep 20th 2006 5:10PM]

one word "adblock". that makes engadget a whole lot better since it does what you said.

[Nathaniel @ Sep 20th 2006 3:50PM]

I'm using an "All Windows DVD" at the moment (Containing '98, 2k, me, all versions of xp and mce). It seems as though Redmond stole an idea from the hackers this time?

[Rick @ Sep 20th 2006 3:50PM]

/emote sarcasm

pay for this crap? seriously??? hell no. its my little way of sticking it to the man...
-But, you are the man.
I know.
-So, you're sticking it to yourself?
Sorta...

[Tyler @ Sep 20th 2006 3:54PM]

I certainly do not want to buy Vista when it first comes out. I hesitated for many, many years before upgrading to XP. It would be nice to be able to upgrade with a quick hack :)

[Michael @ Sep 20th 2006 3:56PM]

Razor - a lot of people already do strip Engadget of references to sponsors, it's called Adblock.

[Anonymous @ Sep 20th 2006 4:16PM]

Just wait for a hack, RC1 is good until JUNE 2007, so just dual-boot with your current OS until a hacker like me gets a patch out the door, won't take more than six months, promise...

[Wonderboy @ Sep 20th 2006 4:20PM]

What I'd like to see is a Salad-bar DVD... Set it up like the websites for configuring PCs.

Starting total = $99

Add all of Package A? ($32)

Feature A-1? ($9)
Feature A-2? ($15)
Feature A-3? ($8)

Add Package B? ($46)

Feature B-1? ($12)
Feature B-2? ($23)
Feature B-3? ($11)

etc.

Running total following the user down the options (with sub-level breakdowns for those who want to be fast, or those who want specifics only). Gives Microsoft the ability to make people happier by giving them the features they really want while at the same time being shown which features people tend to not care about and where they can really improve.

[E71 @ Sep 20th 2006 4:28PM]

They might aswell save a few bucks since piracy is inevitable.

[David @ Sep 20th 2006 4:41PM]

I'm just going to pick it up from the University computer store for like 15 bucks for the ultimate. So it's cheaper for me just to get the expensive version than buying the cheaper version and upgrading it.

[boynamedsue @ Sep 20th 2006 4:48PM]

wow, mircosoft throws you some free merch for your readers and the next day you're already placing cleverly worded stories on the fact you'll be supplying engadget readers with a way of hacking vista.

i'm not going to portray microsoft as a white knight or anything, but dont' you suppose if they're offering you free shit, that also means they're reading your boards?

[PEZ @ Sep 20th 2006 5:22PM]

I guess this is what will drive the price of PC's up for the next 5 years.

[Scott @ Sep 20th 2006 5:23PM]

Better yet, use Stylish (works on FF 1.4 through 3.0):

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2108
+
http://userstyles.org/style/show/316


By the way, where can I find that Home-to-Pro hack? I remember reading about it, but I didn't have any use for it at the time...

[Gilbert Tang @ Sep 20th 2006 5:27PM]

Posting this article is quite a nice slap in the face to the sponsor of a certain Win a Zune contest, is it not?

[Jhahne @ Sep 20th 2006 5:45PM]

awesome

[mike @ Sep 20th 2006 6:01PM]

adblock sounds good. Too bad you need overhype fox to use it. I use to have a good ad-blocker, but I forgot what it was called

[Unknown @ Sep 20th 2006 7:18PM]

To many comments to read//
You may be able to install any version withthe right key but the key will be seen a stolen when downloading updates

[David @ Sep 20th 2006 7:44PM]

Microsoft are sure to save more that they'll lose

[Danny @ Sep 20th 2006 7:56PM]

i bet people are going to be buying xp home and then buying the vista home basic and then hacking it to get the ultimate edition

Saves a lot of money, dont you think?

and oh yea, windows vista is so darn FAST at running games!

I play a couple of games on Vista and XP, and i find that XP has a bit more lag, and its noticable. The only downside is that the games crash on Vista every hr or two for some reason, its really annoying when you are in a middle of something.

So, XP=Reliable. Vista=Fast

[Matt @ Sep 20th 2006 8:06PM]

This site may have the solution .....If its up

http://antiwpa.org.ru/

[Tyler Stevens @ Sep 20th 2006 8:12PM]

I hope I accidently find this useful someday....

[MaxisReed @ Sep 20th 2006 9:02PM]

After you hack to Ultimate and disable WGA, won't all the security updates to keep your system safe just not install?

Ongoing support for holes in the OS is worth my cash, and my $0.02, too.

[Grizz @ Sep 21st 2006 8:19AM]

Correct, the additional features i would gain for free are not worth the lack of regular patches.

[keith waddington @ Sep 20th 2006 10:26PM]

If you don't support/like Microsoft then don's use their product.

If you do support them, pay for the stuff they sell.

How is this hard to understand? How did theft suddenly become a cheer-leading sport? Do you people have kids? Did you teach them how to steal chocolate yet?

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[Rick @ Sep 21st 2006 12:12AM]

Aww bloody 'ell waddy! dont be such a git! just pokin' fun at the bloody bastards, aye. no need to get your britches in a crinkle... besides, its not like its that bloody Mac company you've got a chubby for - the pinacle of all things ethical and moral. well, except for that whole ipod city thing, which, in the footsteps of your beloved steevie j, i am willing to overlook. the point is, in a purely ethical world humans cannot exist. Children are not tought to steal. they take because it is something they desire and from a primative standpoint stealing is a survival tool. only in our "advanced" society do we attempt to unlearn such things. My parents never tought me to steal. I will never teach my kids to steal. that being said, people left to their own devices will steal. There is nothing you, or i, or your iChrist can do about it.

"User Waddo has read only access to specified folder c:ethics"
(A)bort
(R)etry
(I)gnore

Save your iJihad for something worthwhile, like your stints in africa or your luncheonmeat email addy on ur CV.

P.S. cut your hair.

[keith waddington @ Sep 21st 2006 1:37AM]

Your argument is fallacious. You mention Apple, I do not. You mention their ethics, I do not. You get personal, I do not. You quickly resort to abusive language, I do not.

You call pull as many illogical rabbits out of the hat you want: the fact remains, when we look at what you ACTUALLY say in response to my brief post, it's simple rationalisation wrapped up in some weird philosophical anthropological social study that would be fine for a high school paper, but nothing much else.

Do you like Windows? Well pay for it. If not, don't use it.


PS You must be a strange type to go hunting out my CV just because I said stealing is wrong! And for all you say, I certainly wouldn't leave you alone with a bar of MY chocolate.

No rabbits were hurt in the creation of this reply.

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[Matt Selnekovic @ Sep 21st 2006 1:18AM]

"You probably remember the old hack that lets you change a couple of digits in a registry key in order to burn a disc capable of installing Windows XP Pro when all you paid for was the cheaper Home edition"
This is only partially true. In actuality, the hack only enabled certain features of Pro. From what I remember of reading about it, some things from Pro were still gone because the code simply wasn't there. I don't think there is any way at all to get XP Home, hacked or not, on a domain because it simply wasn't there.

[Rick @ Sep 21st 2006 3:12AM]

you dont mention ethics? is the chocolate bar thing a completely unrelated topic? am i missing something? if someone's kid stole your chocolate that is pretty low. and to think a parent actually taught their kid to do that... thats just barbaric...

if you were being hypothetical, which i will assume so, then its absolutely a question of ethics.
just so we're clear lets define ethics:
"that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions." -dictionary.com

My "simple rationalisation wrapped up in some weird philosophical anthropological social study" merely brings to light the thought that as long as people put themselves before everyone else, a pure good society cannot and will not exist. i mention apple because i saw it you used it on your website, but more importantly, its not always the kid stealing from the candy store. what about when the candy store steals from the kid? you dont think those women in the Foxconn facility working 15 hour days for $50 a month are being robbed? the scope of my comment is much larger than a burned cd or a bar of chocolate. if you are going to start broadcasting obscure scenarios to prove your point i think i am entitled to the same.
the long and short is a blog is just a blog. to state the obvious, a post on your opinion isnt going to change anything. the fact that we cant do anything about it is what makes it a spectator sport. cheer-leaders are just icing on the cake.

lastly, if you did not want to leave yourself open to the public then why post links to everything personal? you made yourself an open book and i am a creep for looking? i wasnt phishing for material to bash you, i was just curious about your link. i saw that you have traveled the world and are a very learned person. i've enjoyed some of your material and i am sure you are a very interresting individual with much to share. i just think that to sign on to a blog that's read by nerds (affectionately ;) white hat to black and everything in between, and to start preaching about anti-piracy... you put yourself on that soap box. and for attacking your opinions i cannot feel sorry.

FYI i use windows and buy it legitimately, and i think stealing is stealing whether, rabbits, chocolate, time, skittles, turtles, or punchlines
luncheon meat kicks ass, except that olive loaf junk - it scares me
you still need a haircut

[rex @ Sep 21st 2006 3:42AM]

er just a quick aside...adblock(mine atleast, even though i updated it yesterday) removes alot of things but not the text written under "sponsered links", u know the ones written the 2nd thing in the right most column, so i guess engadget should be happy....

[Rex @ Sep 21st 2006 3:46AM]

and er "iJihad"?!?! sigh, seems i definately need to start a blog, just to clear such issues up....

[dennis parrott @ Sep 21st 2006 6:22PM]

i don't want vista anywhere near my computing hardware, thanks -- even if it was FREE.

the TPM/TCPA stuff is going to be the biggest anti-consumer action seen and more ugly DRM will just be bitter icing on a putrid cake.

nope, don't want no vista. ubuntu linux is lookin' better every day and, ya know, the price is a whole lot easier to swallow.

i recently installed ubuntu on a laptop. it loaded on an old dell in far less time than it takes to get a winXP install loaded and patched. and better than that, ubuntu is getting to the point where "regular" users might well be able to manage it -- installing/running/administering...

nope, no vista for me thanks. not even for free.