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David Overton's Blog » Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003, Exchange 2007 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ

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Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003, Exchange 2007 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
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[last updated 8th Mar 2008

Please read http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2008/03/08/action-pack-subscribers-get-full-windows-vista-dvds-not-upgrades-and-they-also-get-a-copy-of-ultimate-too-plus-a-stack-of-materials-to-sell-the-product.aspx to read about how full Vista SP1 will be shipped in the Action Pack

]

Inside Microsoft we have been toiling very hard to provide solutions that answer the most common feedback.  To this end, perhaps slightly before all the legal stuff gets finalised, here is my FAQ on the subject, however the headlines are:

You can continue to use the Windows XP and Office 2003 CDs that were supplied in your Action Pack subscription

You can Upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Ultimate.  This is not a free upgrade, however you get the benefits of this being thought of as a Not for Resale FPP copy AND it does not expire should you stop using Action Pack* (please see legal statements below) Personally I think this is an amazing offer and I am very grateful to the Windows Vista for taking this unusual step

Questions:

  • Can I continue to use Windows XP and Office 2003 as previously shipped in the Action Pack, even if my subscription has been renewed?
  • I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is an Upgrade Edition, however I want to do clean installs - how can I do this?
  • I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is the Business Edition, but I want Ultimate, how do I get this?
  • I understand that there are multiple sites available to purchase the Windows Anytime Upgrade from, can I use any of these with the Action Pack DVDs?
  • I need to build a short term demo system, how can I do that without using one of my keys (for any version - from Home Basic thru to Ultimate)?
  • I would like OEM media for Windows Vista?
  • Can I run my business using the Action Pack?
  • What happens if I need the key again, eg if I have to re-install the OS on the same machine again?
  • How can I create a system that dual boots Windwows XP and Windows Vista?
  • Can I upgrade from a Vista Home edition to Windows Vista Business Edition? [updated 15th Feb to point to KB atricle on this subject]
  • I only have 1 key for Office, but I want to install it more than once, what should I do?
  • How can I get the x64 version of Vista / Office
  • I want Exchange 2007 in the Action Pack, can you ship it?

Questions and Answers

  1. Can I continue to use Windows XP and Office 2003 as previously shipped in the Action Pack, even if my subscription has been renewed?
    • Yes - you are not obligated to upgrade to the new OS or version of Office just because they have been shipped to you (assuming you were a subscriber to the Action Pack when Office 2003 and Windows XP were dispatched).  I have put detailed instruction on how to do this here.
  2. I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is an Upgrade Edition, however I want to do clean installs - how can I do this?
    • The version of Vista supplied is an upgrade edition which means it needs to check for a valid install of Windows 2000 or XP before an install can continue.  This means that the install needs to be run from the existing OS rather than booting the DVD.  Once the existing OS is booted, insert the DVD and a clean install can then be started (please note that it i a clean install - no part of the previous OS is used in the install and it is moved to one side for easy disposal).  Details of this can be found at How to do a clean install using the Action Pack Windows Vista Media
  3. I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is the Business Edition, but I want Ultimate, how do I get this?
    • N.B. This is not available in all countries.  The links here are for the EMEA. The Windows Anytime Update process can be used to upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Ultimate.  Once you have been through this process, the individual copy of Vista Business becomes Ultimate with the additional benefit that this is something akin to a Not for Resale Full Package Product version that you can continue to use should you stop subscribing to the Action Pack.  Details on the Windows Anytime Upgrade process can be found at How to use the Windows Anytime Upgrade tools. 
    • To better explain the rules around this particular feature the legal team have said:
      • Unlike all other software distributed through the MAPs program, members of the MAPs program who upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate will be granted the rights identified in the Windows Vista Ultimate end user license agreement (EULA).  Specifically this means that users will be able to continue using Windows Vista Ultimate according to the EULA even if they are no longer members of the MAPs program.  MAPs members should copy this notice for their records or follow the instructions in the EULA regarding “Proof of License.”   Customers should note that the use of all other software distributed through the MAPs program may only be used while customers are members of MAPs. 
  4. I understand that there are multiple sites available to purchase the Windows Anytime Upgrade from, can I use any of these with the Action Pack DVDs
  5. I need to build a short term demo system, how can I do that without using one of my keys (for any version - from Home Basic thru to Ultimate)
    • You can boot the Vista DVD and not enter a product key - you can then choose which version of the product to install.  While not desired, this version can run for a short time (30 days) until activation is mandated
  6. I would like OEM media for Windows Vista
    • Unfortunately at this time this is not possible via the Action Pack.  Of course you can purchase OEM media through your preferred distributor.  The reasoning for this are simple.  We have lots of piracy for Windows OEM.  To put this in perspective, in the UK, the measued piracy rate for Windows XP is in the range of 10-15%.  If you are  partner competing against someone who is using pirated media then your prices will appear uncompetitive. If your customers are using pirated media, then may still expect top quality service, but have a very cheap view on value for it.  As partners you have repeatably "shopped" customers and partners who are abusing the Action Pack media.  The easiest way to stop the problem was to make it upgrade only, thus reducing the availability to abuse it.  We do understand that this is not 100% desirable, however the ability to do clean installs, demo builds etc is still there and documented here.
  7. Can I run my business using the action pack
  8. What happens if I need the key again, eg if I have to re-install the OS on the same machine again?
    • The key is automatically saved in your online digital locker and you can also take a disk image of the hard disk.  from the FAQ on the anytime upgrade faq (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx) it states:
    • Should I save the file that prepares my computer to upgrade?

      No, you do not need to save the file. A copy has automatically been saved for you in the digital locker website from Microsoft. You should, however, install the file (by downloading or double-clicking the file) on the computer that you are going to upgrade, as soon as you receive the file. This will prevent errors during the upgrade process.

    • Can I recover my upgrade licence file?

      Yes. If you need to recover your upgrade licence file so that you can restore your computer, a copy of your upgrade licence file is available from the digital locker website from Microsoft.

    • I did not download the file that prepares my computer for upgrade. Is there a link to this file?

      A link is provided in an email message that was sent to you when your order was completed. The download link is valid for 30 days after your purchase or for three days once you click the link from the email message. You can also obtain your file from the digital locker website from Microsoft.

  9. How can I create a system that dual boots Windwows XP and Windows Vista?

    • Using the process described for a clean install at How to do a clean install using the Action Pack Windows Vista Media the only difference is that you choose your 2nd partition or disk as the destination for the install.  When you reboot your system the boot menu will offer you your legacy OS boot menu or the Windows Vista installed on the second disk.

  10. Can I upgrade from a Vista Home edition to Windows Vista Business Edition?

  11. I only have 1 key for Office, but I want to install it more than once, what should I do?

    • The key supplied with Office is valid for ten installs, so you can install it on ten different machines

  12. How can I get the x64 version of Vista / Office?

    • We now have a process in hand to get this sent out with a later Action Pack.  I can't promise which one and I am pretty sure we have missed the cut-off date for the next shipment, but we will ship x64 capability later this year

  13. I want Exchange 2007 in the Action Pack, can you ship it?

    • We are working on shipping Exchange 2007 and Windows Server 2003 x64 as soon as possible in an Action Pack shipment

     

    ttfn

    David

    Posted Wed, Mar 7 2007 10:55 PM by David Overton
    Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,

    Comments

    E-Bitz - SBS MVP the Official Blog of the SBS "Diva" wrote Action pack info on Wednesday
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 7:12 AM
    Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise wrote Action Pack January product list
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 8:05 AM

    A common question at every venue on our EVO tour was "when are the products coming to the Action Pack?".

    Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise wrote January Action Pack details
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 8:14 AM

    There have been an awful lot of questions around the January Action Pack recently and it continues to

    Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise wrote January Action Pack Info
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 8:31 AM

    There have been an awful lot of questions around the January Action Pack recently and it continues to

    Paul Lang wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 12:21 PM

    David,

    First of all I'd like say a *huge* thank you to you for taking up the reins on this issue and persevering until we got answers (and good answers too!).

    I would like one further piece of clarification regarding using existing software in my action pack. While you state clearly that we can continue using Windows XP and Office 2003, what about server apps? Can I, for example, continue to use SQL Server 2000 and SBS2003 R1 ?

    Thanks

    Paul

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 12:34 PM

    Angus,

    have you ever worried about the use of previously supplied software before?  Does the license agreement say anywhere that the use of software supplied in the action pack should not be used once a newer version is supplied?

    Hopefully this answers your concerns.

    ttfn

    David

    Grant wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 12:52 PM

    Thank you for the update above... however there seems to be a problem with the upgrade..

    Scenario 1. Install vista na purchase fpp ultimate upgrade and allow the maps to expire.

    How would I reinstall the operating system in case of a hard drive failure as the windows anytime upgrade does not give you a new license key! Further to this., windows anytime upgrade requires an ACTIVATED version of vista which since the maps license would have expired would no longer be possible..

    Phew....Although welcome, it seems to me that this has not been thought through properly and microsoft is moving the goal posts whilst mid game.  Can you tell us which way we should kick our ball??

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 1:07 PM

    Grant,

    the process has been very well thought out.  Please see the updated comments around the Digital Locker and how you can recover the key from it.  While the links in the e-mail have limited life, you can recover your key at anytime from the Digital Locker.

    thanks for the great question

    David

    Paul Lang wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 1:19 PM

    David,

    I know all us Scotsmen look the same, what with the red hair and kilts and all, but despite the rumours we're not all called "Angus" :-)

    Paul

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 1:27 PM

    Paul - I am soooo sorry - reading and replying to a mail from Angus while replying to the blog.

    Of course, I will let the comments all stand as they are - editing would suggest some underhand work at play and I would never want to suggest that :-)

    ttfn

    David

    Colin Diponio wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 2:54 PM

    That's good news about the Vista Ultimate.

    Thanks for letting us know.

    Colin

    Colin DiPonio - Computer Consultant (Cheshire, UK) » Microsoft Actionpack Jan 2007 and Windows Vista Ultimate wrote Colin DiPonio - Computer Consultant (Cheshire, UK) » Microsoft Actionpack Jan 2007 and Windows Vista Ultimate
    on Tue, Feb 13 2007 3:04 PM
    JFinNJ wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 14 2007 11:07 PM

    A "clean" install means just that; not multiple installs. I fail to see why anyone refers to this “install twice”, or anything other than an installation to a new unformatted drive as “clean”. There should NEVER be anything .old anywhere!

    Fact remains, all of us are angered at the bully tactics of Microsoft on this action pack release. In fact, I can’t tell you of anyone, that’s right, anyone of my colleagues who have used it as of yet. Sad to say, if MS is so worried about copyright issues, just have them send a couple dozen agents to China, where much of its products are manufactured. You can buy anything on any street side stand/ open market, software and DVD movies for about a buck or two.

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 14 2007 11:27 PM

    JFinNJ,

    I am sorry to hear that this is a problem for you, however it is not something I am able to fix.  If the Action Pack no longer fits your needs, then all I can suggest is to not use it.  There is always the legal licensing issue around loading an OS onto new hardware and this is not something we can escape.

    However, your comments about "all of us" is I feel a little exagerated.  I have over the last couple of weeks met no more than perhaps 250-300 Microsoft partners and discussed the Action Pack issue - even though people were given the opportunity to express dis-satisfaction - and many did, I did not get a level of response that you are suggesting.  Is it ideal, no - is it something to still be angry about now? Many people said once they understood how things were that they were happy to move on.

    I also don't understand why you feel bullied - you are not forced to load Vista.  In loading Vista all you require is an OS that is legal on that machine already.  And you are experiencing the same things that a customer would with upgrade media.  If you want to see what a clean install looks like - do the install without a product key and don't activate.  While you might not trust your hardware without a full low level hard disk wipe, Vista's clean install process using upgrade media will give you a brand new install un-impacted by the previous install.  I don't understand how if you are legally licensed you feel wronged.  If you are going to upgrade your hard disk, you can make an image based backup using the tools, back it up, put in the new disk and then re-load the image instead of running setup - and it will take minutes.

    I do feel that there are enough options there to solve any problem.  However if the only answer is that you want OEM or FPP product then the Action Pack will not be able to help you.

    thank-you for your comments.  It is worth saying that your comments are fed back to Microsoft in Redmond, but I don't see this changing.

    ttfn

    David

    Ian wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Mon, Feb 19 2007 3:07 AM

    Nice site David.

    The Vista Action pack issue is one that I was disssapointed on but that is life. Your suggestion to upgrade is great but Australia does not offer Windows Anytime Upgrade which is actualy affects customers and Action pack subscribers. I could go on but obviously this is not for Australia but your readers can take comfort that you have an affordable Upgrade path that not all countries enjoy. The best I can find here for a box upgrade is about 190 GBP!

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Mon, Feb 19 2007 7:16 AM

    Ian,

    I did see that they are trying to work out how to get this up and running - it may just be a matter of time - Nick Mayhew suggests so - http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmayhew/archive/2007/02/16/action-pack-faq.aspx

    ttfn

    David

    David Overton's Blog wrote Demo Showcase and Action Pack shipments
    on Tue, Feb 20 2007 12:47 AM
    nemohome wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Tue, Feb 20 2007 9:34 PM

    I am currently with XP and Excel 03. Will MS Vista support 03 XL data

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 21 2007 8:33 AM

    Office 2007 will read files from Office 97 and above (and save back to that format) and Vista is not required by Office, but will support loading of Office 2003.

    thanks

    David

    Ed wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Thu, Feb 22 2007 9:48 PM

    Dave-- A simple question from a novice. I have Vista Home Premium on an HP. I also have a new Office 2003 CD set with key. Can I just load the Office 2003 onto the Vista system without problems?

    Ed

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Thu, Feb 22 2007 11:32 PM

    Ed,

    Office 2003 should work on Vista, yes.  And Office 2007 should work on Windows XP.

    ttfn

    David

    Graham wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 1:45 PM

    Is there any news about 64 bit editions of Vista in the Action Pack?

    Paul Heywood wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 2:16 PM

    Can you enlighten us on how we can get/install the 64 bit verson of Vista Business?  Will the link provided to get 64 bit media on the MS website work with an Action Pack CD key? It mentions a retail version, which I assume the Action Pack is not classed as.

    Nice FAQ, answered some of my queries, that's for sure.  I do agree with some of the comments above though and am reconsidering whether to renew my subscription next time round.

    Andy wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 4:48 PM

    I advise large organisations on mass OS deployments and hope to be continuing to do this with Vista. I need to be able to test automated deploymnents of Enterprise versions of Vista. Are the version of Vista in the Action pack or the OEM version sufficiently similar for deployment purposes to be appropriate?

    Gary Fenton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 4:56 PM

    Action Pack has been very generous up until now. I was expecting to receive a few flavours of Vista such as x64 and even Ultimate. How can we talk up the benefits of Ultimate if we can't use it ourselves (without paying the equivalent of half the Action Pack subscription to upgrade)?

    I agree with the person who said the Vista Business disc did not provide a clean install - clean is the wrong word to use. I have not used the upgrade disc and I doubt I will unless I need to test out the upgrade process for a reason.

    Instead I bought a new laptop with Vista Ultimate pre-installed by the manufacturer. It's crashed twice in the 4 days I've had it. While giving a presentation to a room full of customers the sidebar and network centre window crashed. Then the window that told me about the crash also crashed. I closed the laptop with embarrassment before everyone exchanged their own Vista horror stories. I found some other bugs too, like sometimes new windows open behind existing windows. Don't get me started on the lack of a reasonable backup utility. Suddenly ntbackup looks like a pretty good program! I cannot recommend Vista and I will not be installing it on business or test machines until SP1 fixes things. It seems to take longer to boot/shutdown than XP which, apart from the less fashionable GUI, is a pretty stable OS. Shame it takes a couple of years to get it to that state after each new release. Vista should have had another 6 months in the incubator but I guess the shareholders were getting anxious. ;-)

    On a brighter note I would like to applaud Microsoft for giving us the Enterprise edition of Office 2007 - excellent. By the same token of why they didn't give us a full version of Vista, why did we get the full version of the *flagship* Office product? Hey, I'm not complaining, it's just that their logic is inconsistent.

    One oddity about Office Enterprise 2007 - it highlights the new inconsistency of the GUI. Only the Word/Excel/PPT products have the new ribbon interface while the rest of the suite has the old interface and no new radical features. To be honest I find the old interface faster to use (less mouse mileage!) and for more advanced users it's easier to locate the features you need as menus list the names of the tools one after the other, whereas the ribbon sprawls everything out over the width of the window mixing various sizes of icons and text - harder for the brain to collate and identify the information.

    Great blog by the way. Sorry my comment is rather long.

    Chris Swinney wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 7:45 PM

    I too am a little annoyed that the upgrade to Vista Ultimate is a "PAID FOR" upgrade. You should at least make this VERY clear at the beginning of this blog.

    I have Vista installed on several machines at the moment - one laptop pretty much crashes or locks up all the time and does not have 100% functionality. The HDD thrashes for up to an hour after logon and then does not shut down properly. Another machine is more stable, but I still experience the occasional “black screen of death” and IE/explorer crashes.

    I do like the new office interface, however. I must admit that altering certain deep rooted options are now a little difficult, however, a lot more options and facilities are available the average user.  The pictorial option is simple to navigate and understand (once used to it) and will help users with difficulties such as dyslexia – myself included.

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 8:41 PM

    Graham,

    I am not sure of the 64-bit process - I will find out more and get back to you.

    thanks

    David

    David Overton wrote re: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ
    on Wed, Feb 28 2007 8:45 PM

    Gary,

    Several things - the deployment of Business vs Enterprise is almost identical - I say almost - there is just one difference - the key.  If you are deploying Enterprise you will (potentially) need a key server in your organisation - this is the only difference (it can be anything from an XP machine up)

    On the GUI - yes, it would have been nice to have the Ribbon on everything, but alas it was not possible, so we have what we have.  Once quick tip - all the old keystrokes work still - so Alt-T+O - Options screen, and so on.

    Any furthe