Tags: Microsoft

Vista test release users not getting security updates via Windows Update

Software giant Microsoft has confirmed that they are not delivering the security updates to the users still on the beta and test releases of the Vista operating system.

The company added in a statement that the no-updates policy had already been spelled out to users who installed the beta and two release candidates (RC) last year.

A Microsoft representative added in a statement: “Microsoft no longer provides service or support for the prerelease versions. This would include [security] updates.”

Apparently, manually downloading the patches is not working for the test users as the updates gives out an error and closes down.

The company has also confirmed that the Vista previews will expire May 31. They plan to start notifying users starting May 18.

Nick White, a Vista program manager had more information: “After 31 May, customers who continue to use prerelease versions of Windows Vista will be able to log in for two-hour sessions to retrieve data. After two hours of use, the PC will automatically reboot without providing the opportunity to save data.”

He added that the users of these test releases would then have until Aug. 28 to copy any data on the crippled machine to other media or another system. The preview releases would stop functioning at all after that.