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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.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • 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.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Another message - updates not working!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • 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!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • You can also browse the web for help.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Control Panel is looking sparse.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Problem Reports and Solutions is no help either.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • 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).

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • What, no Task Bar?

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • ... and Command Prompt still works.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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