Beta copies of Windows Vista set to expire

If you're running a pre-release version of Windows Vista, you might want to upgrade by May 31st. Anyone running Vista Beta 2 RC1 or RC2 will begin to receive warnings in a few weeks telling you that your operating system installation is about to expire.

If you don't upgrade, you could wind up losing data stored on your computer. Here's what happens if you decide to ignore the warnings:

• You'll be able to logon for 2 hours in order to retrieve your data, but after 2 hours your computer will automatically reboot without giving you the opportunity to save your work.
• Come August 28th, even these 2 hour logon sessions will be disabled

If you've been participating in the preview you don't get a discount on a Windows Vista purchase, but you are eligible for an upgrade disc instead of a full installation disc.

Tags: osupdates, upgrade, vista, vista beta 2, VistaBeta2, windows vista, WindowsVista