Download Windows Vista SP1 with a registry hack

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Download Windows Vista SP1 with a registry hack

by Brad Linder Oct 13th 2007

If you're itching to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 but aren't planning to be anywhere near Redmond on October 27th, all may not be lost. Some friendly hackers have posted a registry setting that will reportedly allow you to download Vista SP1 through Windows Update.

We're going to point out a couple of things here, although they should really be obvious:

There's no guarantee this registry hack will work for you.
If it doesn't, you could potentially turn your computer into an overpriced paperweight.
Windows Vista SP1 is still in beta, meaning you can expect some bugs even if you do manage to update your system.

If you're still willing to take the plunge after reading all that, just download the registry hack, check for Windows Updates, and you should be all set. A little "evaluation copy" watermark will show up on the bottom of your screen, but hackers being what they are, there's a fix for that as well.

Tags: registry, registry-hack, service-pack-1, sp1, vista, vista-sp1, windows-vista, windows-vista-service-pack-1, windows-vista-sp1

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Luis said 8:54AM on 10-14-2007

If #2 happens, wipe it clean with TP and then install Linux, specifically Ubuntu.

Onshot417 said 9:18AM on 10-14-2007

installing now, triple boot should not be disturbed right?

Comacozi said 9:55AM on 10-14-2007

got it done. works great. made many improvements to performance

ahmed alaa said 1:12PM on 10-14-2007

thankes

Abscissa said 10:32PM on 10-14-2007

@#1: I'm using Ubuntu right now. It's overrated.

Onshot417 said 8:32AM on 10-15-2007

uh it screwed up my activation hack, beware....
now i have 15 days to activate

Bilgin said 8:33AM on 10-15-2007

Point 2 is a bit harsh is it not? So you'd use your PC as a paperweight instead of at the very worst case scenario format your computer?
Don't scare the kiddies!

Brad Linder said 8:36AM on 10-15-2007

Bilgin: Scaring the kiddies is what we do best. But seriously, I just want to make it very clear with posts like these that we take no responsibility if you try the hack and wind up wiping your operating system clean. So we like to give adequate warning.

Odds are most Download Squad readers would know how to reformat their PC and reinstall Windows. But if you don't happen to have a Vista or other OS disc handy, you could indeed wind up with a paperweight -- even if it's not a permanent condition.

robbyrob said 8:42AM on 10-15-2007

i think that Windows Viste is Windows ME all over again! another OS release that isnt going anywhere!

http://www.spymac.com/details/2277945

stray1 said 11:32AM on 10-15-2007

Can anyone confirm onshots comment? Doest it disable the activation hack? can you re-initate the activation hack?

John said 12:48PM on 10-15-2007

I keep hearing that Vista is a bad operating system and that it isn't going anywhere, yet all of the people who say that don't use it on a regular basis.

The truth is that Vista is the best OS Microsoft has ever released. It's FASTER and more stable than XP ever was.

John said 12:48PM on 10-15-2007

You know, people always talked about how XP sucked. How it crashed and they always got BSOD's. Than they'd go into how security was a joke.

Now here's Microsoft trying to fix things... and people don't like the fact that Vista is more secure. Then they complain about Vista not running like XP and how things were changed. DUH!

People are never happy! And I've come to understand that people are stupid and don't like change for the better.

Abscissa said 1:34PM on 10-15-2007

"11. I keep hearing that Vista is a bad operating system and that it isn't going anywhere, yet all of the people who say that don't use it on a regular basis." - John

Umm, why in the world would the people who don't like it use it on a regular basis?

Colin said 8:03AM on 10-16-2007

Wow. XP lovers/haters, Mac OS lovers/haters, Ubuntu Linux lovers/haters and Vista lovers/haters all in one easy-to-digest thread?

xiLLeNtz said 10:08AM on 10-16-2007

not working anymore;;

Abscissa said 4:50PM on 10-16-2007

@#14: Heh, actually, I hate all of the above. I just hate XP *slightly* less.

ayushi said 8:39AM on 10-17-2007

give me new software information or download free i like reading or information of software

Jon Acord said 2:50AM on 10-18-2007

I installed Sp1 directly from Microsoft, no problems. My Vista Ultimate is a genuine copy so the watermark in the bottom right hand side freaked me, BC 'windows is activated' was displayed too! I used the Watermark fix, all is well again. It made me reinstall my Nvidia Geforce 7950 Drivers. All is well now, 'steady as she goes'!

Jon Acord said 2:53AM on 10-18-2007

Sorry about the double post! First timer here, was a bit weird activating my comments for this blog.

Jonathan said 8:39AM on 10-18-2007

Wow I installed Sp1 directly from Microsoft, no problems. My Vista Ultimate is a genuine copy so the watermark in the bottom right hand side freaked me, BC 'windows is activated' was displayed too! I used the Watermark fix, all is well again. It made me reinstalled my Nvidia Geforce 7950 Drivers. All is well now, 'steady as she goes'!

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