Microsoft has just released instructions for those who are using the test operating system to switch to the official product, and warns that from June 1, the computer running the beta will be suddenly turned off.

These reminders have started to be delivered to Vista Ultimate Beta 2, Release Candidate 1 (RC1) and RC2 users.

Only computers that are installing Vista RC1 and upgraded to Vista Ultimate for $ 259 can retain all settings, applications and data. The system that works on Beta 2 or RC2 when switching to Ultimate will have to reinstall all (clean install), which means the process of overwriting the hard drive and destroying all data contained therein.

The Vista Beta computer will restart every 2 hours images 1 Testers are also allowed to upgrade to any other version of Vista, for example from Ultimate RC2 to Home Premium 159 USD. Or they can return to Windows XP but need a full version of the old operating system. That is, if the installation disc is not found or not provided previously (many original device manufacturers do not release their own XP disks but save them as hard drive files), they have to buy a new copy. Windows XP Home is currently priced at 199 USD.

Microsoft explained that since last year the company has advised testers to back up data before running the beta because they may not be updated later but must install new software.