Free copy of Vista Ultimate or other MS software

[WalkinTarget]

http://wfp.microsoft.com/

This is open to users of Vista or XP, and requires signing up for a survey program and a software install that collects data on how you use your computer. You have to participate for 3 months to get your 1 free gift (per person).

Details
Download the free software needed to participate.
To participate in the Automated Feedback Program, you'll need to download and install software on your home computer. You will be installing a small application called "Windows Feedback Panel" on your computer. This application starts up automatically every time you log in to Windows and silently gathers and records information about the use of your home computer on an ongoing basis.

If you have a secondary PC or a PC that doesn't do much but sit around, this is a great way to score Vista or Office 2007 for free.

:2thumbs:

[juneau]

How much prying does this little app do? I'm tempted to install it, but not if it's going to watch my every move.

[WalkinTarget]

Juneau, no details on that, but I threw it on my bench rig, which is running Windows Live OneCare AV, and OneCare has already alerted me that it was allowing access thru the firewall for two programs that are part of the surveying software.
I rarely use that PC for anything other than troubleshooting work, and in fact had an external IDE/SATA device hooked up to a naked hard drive so that I could pull customer data off of it to save onto a new drive in their PC.

That PC will be getting upgraded over Xmas (new CPU and more RAM) so it'll be interesting to see what happens when Genuine Advantage kicks in and I have to activate again. In reality, I have little need for a Vista Ultimate DVD, as I'm sitting on a free copy of Home Premium, but I can always use it down the road or finally step up to a 64bit OS eventually.

[PainTrain]

I'm doing it now, I would love a free copy of Vista for when It's time to upgrade my PC. (My laptop is running it already.... what a resource hog!)
If they want to watch me play video games and watch some adult movies that's A-OK with me :D

[Apache Warrior]

It's only open to US residents 18 or older.
Apache

[drunken_chef]

i wonder if the app will run on linux? :D

[juneau]

It's only open to US residents 18 or older.
Apache

Typical. :pissed:

[RobotBanana]

It's only open to US residents 18 or older.
Apache

Typical. :pissed:

Dang, I got all excited there... :cry:

[Cain]

They are having problems giving VISTA away !!

:D

[Ghost_Rain]

I love vista :twisted:

[mapes]

Are they giving away 64 bit versions?

[Apache Warrior]

Are they giving away 64 bit versions?
Yes.
Apache

[A1B2C3CAL]

I'm lovin my 64 bit Vista...MUAH! I just kissed my PC.

[WalkinTarget]

Yep, I had initially passed on the 64bit Vista Business copy I got for free, but in hindsight that was what I needed to get. So this will make up for that lack of foresight.
Unfortunately, I don't have a rig that I want Ultimate on at this point, so I assume I can't unregister my existing Business license and upgrade to Ultimate without a hassle.
If the Anytime Upgrade accepts a key, I could plug in the Ultimate key, thereby freeing up my Business license for another PC ...

my head hurts from thinking about this ... continue with the thread.

[BenKenobi]

Can you dual boot a 32 vista and a 64 vista?

[darth_nevus]

well, so long as it prys into that pc only, and not the rest of the network, i'll have to install it. after all. 3 months and i can get a 64bit os for the future, i am all good!

thing is, i don't see anything about getting the "free" software. where are thedetails for that?

[WalkinTarget]

The deal is now dead, as it was a 'While Supplies Last' promotion.

As far as what it collects, here is the official word from MS:

How does CEIP work?
When you choose to participate, Windows automatically sends information to Microsoft about how you use certain products. Information from your computer is combined with other CEIP data to help Microsoft solve problems and to improve the products and features customers use most often.

Will CEIP collect information about all products on my computer?
No. CEIP only collects information about Microsoft products and you must choose to participate on a product-by-product basis.


Additional data collection
The following list describes some examples of additional data collection our software performs:

* Windows settings and usage, such as the number of user accounts on the computer and the view settings for Control Panel (that is, if you use the default Category view or the Classic view to display Control Panel).
* Details about your computer hardware, such as processor type and speed (as well as the number of processors), system memory, video memory, and other hardware configuration information.
* File and folder information, such as the number of files and folders located in common places (for example, in Documents).
* Which programs you open (for example, which application you use to read your e-mail).
* Changes you make to your hardware or software.
* Problems you encounter, such as application crashes.

Its only three months, and I can invest in a lil spyware over that time, simply because we are becoming conditioned to accept it. I remember my rants about the EA ads in BF2142, and several regulars stating that 'Its just a freakin' ad, it doesn't bother me in-game', so I've joined the devil's brigade and sacrificed my PC soul for some MS software.
I really don't need another copy of Vista, but I love spares of anything, so this just relieves me from having to buy a copy down the road at some point. I wish that Windows Home Server would have been available as a freebie, as I would have installed their spyware on ALL of my PCs to get that free !!

[darth_nevus]

awww. thats no fun.. back to normal life then i suppose.

[Gremlin_flg]

I did it yesterday so hopefully I am good :P

[Apache Warrior]

I got it for me. And my wife got it too. :D
Apache

[BenKenobi]

Got it this morning. It's still open y'all!

[WalkinTarget]

Just received my Vista Ultimate DVD today ! Anyone else get confirmation that it shipped ?? I got an email about a week ago that it was shipped and it arrived today.

Bonus: It contains BOTH a 32 bit -> AND <- a 64 bit version of the DVD, PLUS the product key for BOTH. Two free copies !!!

[BenKenobi]

I got nothin :/

[imlittlev]

apparently i was too late too :(

[WalkinTarget]

I received a few emails over the past month, this last one dated 4/24:

Thank you for participating in the Windows Feedback Program!

Today we just wanted to send you a quick notification that your free product has been shipped.

Please allow a few days for arrival. If you have not received your free product by May 2nd, 2008, please send an email to this address indicating "product not arrived" in the subject line.

Abother dated 4/10:

On April 15, 2008, a new version of the Windows Feedback Panel (WFP) software and an updated Privacy Statement will be available on the Windows Feedback Panel program website. Please take a moment to review these updates, as the new version of the WFP software will automatically update the current version on your PC.

This one on 3/28:

This message is to notify you that we are ready to ship your product. Please allow until end of April for delivery. You will receive another email from us when shipments have gone out.

If you guys didn't get these, then they didn't have you registered with them for using the software. I should have updated my OP with these as well. Sorry for not doing that ... my bad.

[Apache Warrior]

I got my shipping conformation last week too. I am still waiting to get it though.
Apache

[imlittlev]

oh well... maybe there'll be another opportunity...

oh wait, its micro$oft, not likely. I read they reduced prices but its still too expensive.

[{CLR}geneSW]

Vista, blah. I'll wait for the next OS and see if it's any good tyvm.

[Apache Warrior]

I got mine while I was out of town. I did not see it until last night. WT you should be able to use both in different computers. I have a different key code for each one. :2thumbs:
Apache

[Apache Warrior]

I got my wife's yesterday. She got Office 2007 Ultimate.
Apache

[WalkinTarget]

Yep, installed my 64 bit Vista already, and I am thinking of upgrading my existing Business copy to Ultimate 32 bit. I'll hold onto it for now, as Ultimate is quite a waste of money .. it offers very little over Business (Texas Hold Em ?? Dreamscape ?? Pssshhh ...