Upgrade Trick Still Present In Vista SP1

Chris Blanc writes "The new Service Pack 1 version of Windows Vista allows end users to purchase the 'upgrade edition' and install it on any PC — with no need to purchase the more expensive 'full edition.' The same behavior was present when Vista was originally released, but the fact that the trick wasn't removed from SP1 suggests that Microsoft executives approved the back door as a way to make the price of Vista more appealing to sophisticated buyers."

Comments

I doubt this is a backdoor.

[Vellmont]

The likely scenario is MS decided that anyone re-installing the OS from scratch shouldn't have to first install the old OS, or produce installation CDs for the old OS. Sure, a few people might violate the EULA and buy upgrade instead of the full version.. but at least you're getting their market share and their money. In the end it's probably better to not piss off the legit upgraders than it is to squeeze everyone with ridiculous procedures.

So to call this an intentional backdoor is misleading IMO. It might just be Microsoft admitting that their licensing procedures have been detrimental to business in the past. (I assume previous "upgrade" versions have looked for an old OS before installing?)

Re:Alternatively

[MBGMorden]

Yep. "Go ahead, mod me down" works well to invoke a bit of sympathy and make others feel as though you're the underdog. It's the modern day equivalent of "I am no orator, as Brutus is;".