The Windows Anytime Upgrade program was designed to make it easier for customers to upgrade to a more expensive version of Windows Vista. To upgrade a customer would use the DVD which was supplied when they purchased the operating system, this contained several versions of Windows Vista, including the premium editions, by purchasing and downloading a new digital “product key” from the Web a higher-end version could be unlocked from the disc.

Microsoft has now decided to stop distributing product keys online, they stated “Starting Feb. 20, customers who want to upgrade will have to buy a Windows Anytime Upgrade kit from a local retailer, or via postal mail from Microsoft. The kit will include a Vista DVD and a product key for the version they are upgrading to”.

Microsoft said it was making the change based on feedback from users “Customers have told us that this change will streamline the Windows Anytime Upgrade experience, and that they would prefer to use the DVD and a standard 25-character product key to perform the upgrade — rather than the combination of the DVD and digital key,”

The new system means customers will not have to worry if they lost their original Vista DVD and now want to upgrade, but they will now have to visit their local retailer or contact Microsoft via post.

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