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Windows Vista running in reduced functionality mode

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    This gallery shows you what you can expect from Windows Vista when it enters reduced functionality mode.

    This is an unactivated copy of Windows Vista running in Virtual PC 2007. Things are currently running normally - but this is about to change as I push the date forward to 1 day after the deadline for activation.
    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Uh-oh! The first thing to kick in is a message telling me that Windows is not genuine and that Windows DreamScene isn't working. OK, I can live with that.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    I reboot the system and now I'm faced with a Windows Activation dialog box that offers me a number of options.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Another message - updates not working!

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    I enter reduced functionality mode and I'm greeted by a page on the Windows Vista site. I'll tell you what, if this was for real I wouldn't be looking as relaxed as that guy in the picture!

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    You can however still use Internet Explorer to access the file system.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Maybe a game of Solitaire will ease my nerves - Nope, doesn't work!

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Command Promot still works - as long as you know where CMD.EXE lives in the file system.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Networking still works, so you can still move files if push comes to shove.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    You can also browse the web for help.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Still have the Start Menu, although most apps don't launch.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Control Panel is looking sparse.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Problem Reports and Solutions is no help either.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    If instead of entering reduced functionality mode (image 3) you choose to enter another product key, this is what you see.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    I've now pushed the date on another 30 days after expiry of the trial mode and things are looking more basic now. No desktop wallpaper, no Start Menu, no wallpaper. Here are the alternative activation methods (another option from the dialog box displayed in image 3).

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    What, no Task Bar?

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    You can still use Internet Explorer to access the file system ...

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    ... and Command Prompt still works.

    Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

1 of 18 NEXT PREV
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes | February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST) | Topic: Enterprise Software

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This gallery shows you what you can expect from Windows Vista when it enters reduced functionality mode.

Read More Read Less

This gallery shows you what you can expect from Windows Vista when it enters reduced functionality mode.

This is an unactivated copy of Windows Vista running in Virtual PC 2007. Things are currently running normally - but this is about to change as I push the date forward to 1 day after the deadline for activation.
Published: February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST)

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

1 of 18 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Enterprise Software Microsoft Cloud Big Data Analytics Innovation Tech and Work
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes | February 27, 2007 -- 13:13 GMT (05:13 PST) | Topic: Enterprise Software

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