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February 8th, 2008

RIP Ultimate Extras

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 3:42 am

Categories: Friday Rant, Vista

Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, SP1, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

In Focus » See more posts on: Vista

Back in September of last year I wrote a piece about how the Windows Ultimate Extras window from the RTM version of Windows Vista differed from the pre-release SP1 code that was floating about at the time. Is Microsoft going to do right by Windows Vista Ultimate customers and start handing over the goodies or not? Looking at SP1, it seems that Windows Ultimate Extras as good as dead.

OK, time for a little trip down memory lane. Here’s what the Windows Vista Ultimate screen looks like for Windows Vista Ultimate RTM:

Windows Vista Ultimate Extras - RTM

And here’s what that same screen looked like in the early SP1 pre-released code:

Windows Vista Ultimate Extras - pre-release SP1 code

At the time a few people responded that this was early days for SP1 and that things would change. I needed to cool my jets and have a little faith that things would work out right in the end.

Hmmm … OK. Let’s fast forward to today and take a look at what this same screen looks like on Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 RTM …

(drum roll please ….)

Windows Vista Ultimate Extras - RTM

Look familiar? Yeah, that’s right, it’s unchanged from the early SP1 code. All mention of “cutting-edge programs,” “innovative services” and “unique publications” have been erased. I think that Microsoft is trying the “out of sight, out of mind” tactic.

Unless the Windows Vista Ultimate Extras team (hello, Barry Goffe, I’m talking to you …) can show me that there’s anything definitive in the pipeline, then I pronounce Windows Vista Ultimate Extras to be dead.

Hat tip to Long Zheng for initially drawing my attention to this issue in the beginning.

Thoughts? And remember, since it’s a Friday, you can vent your spleen about anything tech-related that annoys you!

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 49 Talkback(s)
Early Adopters
This is the same scenario: many people obtained Ultimate (5 people paid for it, possibly more). Those people with Ultimate wanted to be on the bleeding edge; and of course early adopters usually don't... (Read the rest)
Posted by: vahnx Posted on: 05/19/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Completely Unacceptable.  ye | 02/08/08
But what's the dollar value for the extras?  Michael Kelly | 02/08/08
Home users don't use Domains....  BitTwiddler | 02/08/08
huh?  rtk | 02/08/08
That's like a Mac user not using filevault  nix_hed | 02/08/08
Speak for yourself... AND yourself alone...  Wolfie2K3 | 02/08/08
There is more to Ultimate than the freaking Extras  AnthonySPT | 02/10/08
I don't know. That's for someone else to figure out.  ye | 02/08/08
But suing Microsoft  nix_hed | 02/08/08
Suing Microsoft has happened before. Why not in this instance? (nt)  ye | 02/08/08
How?  gazzawazza | 02/08/08
Re: How?  none none | 02/08/08
and  gazzawazza | 02/08/08
It's a shame...  Ben_E | 02/08/08
I agree ...  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 02/08/08
Don't forget...  AnthonySPT | 02/10/08
One is really useful for me  goyta | 02/08/08
Best Extra of All  bmgoodman | 02/08/08
So now Ultra is basically Home Premium that can attach to an AD domain.  pmcgrath@... | 02/08/08
Plus you can encrypt your data  Michael Kelly | 02/08/08
And a little more  frank_s | 02/08/08
You can download remote desktop (NT)  jasonp@... | 02/09/08
Will we get our $100 back?  BitTwiddler | 02/08/08
Amen! NT  Timpraetor | 02/08/08
Look what we have here...  Arm A. Geddon | 02/08/08
Gonna make some lawyers smile  Ken_z | 02/08/08
Yep, It's class action time  otaddy | 02/08/08
I have to wonder why a company with the resource of MS can't...  ye | 02/08/08
Bloat  frgough | 02/08/08
Management bloat  otaddy | 02/08/08
...can't develop a few extras...  Ken_z | 02/08/08
RE: RIP Ultimate Extras  jhurst747 | 02/08/08
How about this?  Ben_E | 02/08/08
A little bit of effort  gazzawazza | 02/08/08
RE: RIP Ultimate Extras  themidastouch@... | 02/08/08
I give kudos to Microsoft for this  NonZealot | 02/08/08
LOL  James T. Kirk | 02/08/08
Obsess much?  msalzberg | 02/08/08
Wow, another Apples to oranges comparison by the WinZealot...  nix_hed | 02/08/08
RE: RIP Ultimate Extras  Backdoor Man | 02/08/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 02/08/08
There's still stuff in Ultimate  Heatlesssun1 | 02/08/08
This problem is not MS specific...  Narg | 02/08/08
bitlocker worked with what?  Randalllind | 02/08/08
Please send more $ to Microsoft  guitronics@... | 02/09/08
RE: RIP Ultimate Extras  Chiatzu | 02/11/08
Class action suit anyone?  John Musbach | 02/11/08
RE: RIP Ultimate Extras  PhilippeV | 05/14/09
Early Adopters  vahnx | 05/19/09

What do you think?

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