Happy Birthday Windows Vista!

Dec 27, 2007 14:08 GMT  ·  By

Believe it or not, but Microsoft is giving away free copies of Windows Vista Ultimate. In an excellent example of rather limited generosity, the Redmond company has been gearing up for the one year anniversary, since its latest Windows client hit the shelves. And armed with a dash of Christmas spirit, Microsoft has debuted an initiative designed to give back to the participants in the Windows Vista beta testing program. Before Christmas, Vista testers began receiving emails from Celine Allee, Director, Windows Client announcing free copies of the Ultimate SKU of the operating system.

"As we approach the one year anniversary of launching Windows Vista we want to remember you as one of the many people who downloaded and tested one of the Windows Vista Beta or Release Candidates through TechNet or MSDN.YOU were a significant contributor to the development of Windows Vista. Your participation was extremely valuable to Microsoft, and we would like to say, 'Thank You!' To show our appreciation, we have several special offers exclusively available to you", Allee revealed in the email as cited by KezNews.

According to Allee, Microsoft will match a standalone, either upgrade or full license copy of Vista Ultimate with nothing more and nothing less than a complimentary upgrade product key for the high end edition of the platform. The Redmond company will offer the upgrade keys for all editions of Vista Ultimate acquired and activated between December 1st, 2007 and January 15th, 2008. Of course, the offer is valid only for those that have received the notification email from Microsoft. On the heels of the "Happy Birthday Windows Vista" emails, reports from various sources pointed out that the entire deal had been a hoax. Microsoft denied such claims.

"We have had some IT Pros question whether the Windows Vista Ultimate offer is real. Please be assured that if you received an email from [email protected] that directs you to the WindowsVistaEvalComp.com site, this offer is legitimate. To receive this email and instructions for participation, you must have participated in the Windows Vista beta program and opted-in for special offers. For more information, please consult the FAQ and Terms & Conditions on the Web site", confirmed Tony Mann, Windows Client IT Pro Audience Manager for Web Forums.

If you receive the email and decide that you are indeed interested, then Microsoft also offers the possibility to win $250 Amazon gift certificate, as well as an ASUS W5fe signed personally by Bill Gates. All you will have to do is take a survey or submit your own experience with Vista to Microsoft.