all i need for vista

For a legal copy, no

For other....
well this isn't the forum for it

I had trouble getting the legal one........weird

is it just for developers or can anyone try it out?

Or if you are in the Microsoft Beta Testing Program

what are the minimum requirements for vista, as i would like to install it on my laptop, when it is due for release; would my laptop see the requirements and run it smoothly (see signiture)

Windows Vista requirements.

To get a legal copy you either have to purchase the Business edition, which was already released, or you will have to wait until Jan. 30 I think for the rest of the versions to come out. The only other option for getting a legal copy would be to shell out a ton of money to Microsoft to be a member of the MSDN program, which entitles you to beta testing and usually a free copy of new OS when they come out (granted you helped beta)

They had the public beta already. I dont know if they are still handing out keys anymore. I dont think so though. Im glad I got a few keys before it ended...

You can find a copy of the ISO on any torrent website. You can legally install the software and run it for 30 days.

If you get a copy do not input a Key just continue without installing one. Then select the Ultimate version(or wich ever version you download). It will ask you verify this is the right selection. Go ahead with the install. You have now 30 days to try the software for free.

If you enter a used cd Key at the beginning you will only receive 14 days free.

And there are a few ways that people have cracked it already according to the Ms forums.

Good luck.

Microsoft Technet and MSDN both allow you to run any OS for Evaluation purposes. Technet is about 500 a year MSDN depends on which level you purchase.

I have my own RTM copy through an MSDN subscription (work pays for it) so I don't condone what I'm about to tell you.

Now that's out of the way; The BIG news! MSFT is turning a blind eye to the KMS Activation servers running in China. So, you can download the RTM copy from torrents and you use a Volume Key (usually also given with the torrent) and use Volume Activation 2.0 to activate (a Vista Business or Enterprise edition ONLY) against the server, and the whole process is amazingly easy and takes about 1 minute to complete.

I tried it just to see how it works and it's flawless. It activates for 180 days and at that time it connects to the KMS server once again automatically and reactivates for another 180 days...and so on..... I could give links to all that I’m talking about but that would probably be going too far. So I’ll let anyone wanting Vista to do their own work.

I only say this here because I think it's unfair that MSFT is allowing people in China to use cracked versions of Vista and plans to do absolutely nothing about it; MSFT's way to combat Linux in China which is concerning to them, yet they go after everyone in North America with lawsuits and whatnot for even trying out their software.