Windows 7 7100 expiration?

So when i back up the machine i shouldnt bother making a system image.

Ryan2320 said:

Using a System image will bring back the RC, However if you just do a Windows Backup without the image all of your files will be saved. and then you can restore them on the retail version of Windows 7..

Hope this Helps..

Thanks
So i should not do a system image backup and waste my time
I should do the backup but un tick the system image right?

I also let "windows 7" decide what to back up for me instead of doing it myself when you set up the backup criteria. I have a Microsoft office accounting on this machine and need to make sure those files get backed up with the back up. I assume the backup does all the user files like pictures and stuff as well

Other then that i just need to back up my PST file from outlook which i cant remember how to do. Gota look that up. Other then that the machine can be formatted.

The easiest and most compact way to back up files is to drag their folders onto an external drive or DVD. Or you can just drag the active user folder.

As Myzr7 posted above, you can upgrade the RC in-place with good results reported by many. This saves your programs, files and settings in place although you should still back up your files externally as any install can fail.

The goal should still be to do a clean install when you can.

Don't feel badly about using RC for business purposes. My Uncle was an enthusiastic beta tester who ran RC on his condo management office computer in a dual boot where he never returned to XP. It worked so well he had a Win7 Release Party for the condo association focused on his office computer which earned him a signature edition of Win7 Ultimate. Pretty cool old guy, I'd say.

myzr7 said:

Maybe this is what you want. How to upgrade install a rc so as to save all data and programs?
Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

Can anyone report on this? It seems eas enough. I may give it a go.
Has anyone done it successfully

Concur with gregrocker about the clean install.

1.) I don't trust migrating data unless I'm in charge of it (as much as I can be.)
2.) Rather not install a new OS on top of an old OS. I know MS tries to make the transition as easy as possible. Still don't trust it because I'm paranoid about data loss or other FUBARs, having suffered through them in the past.

Haven't used that method linked - noticed it said this on the site:

Final thoughts

Remember that Microsoft doesn’t officially support upgrades from the Windows 7 Release Candidate to the RTM. The firm has gently implied that, on rare occasion, it is possible for a system’s stability to be compromised as a result of an upgrade, so be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

Rare and gentle sounds harmless, but geez - you end up being one of the exceptions and all of a sudden it's a horror show. Before the 7 final, I used many incarnations of the beta and then RC as the prime OS on my laptop and desktop. I understood the risk, never ran into any problems. Every time I went to a new beta, then the RC, then the final, I backed everything up in multiple places, moved data on my own, reinstalled programs and always did a clean install on both machines. It took longer but I never lost anything because I made sure to keep everything highly organized because I knew I was not using the final version.

Didn't read what kind of files you needed to move, automagp68 - are they spread all over your hard drive in a billion pieces, or are they (or can they be) consolidated? At least the RC doesn't flat-out expire for a few months, so you have time to think the best way for you to do this.

So i tried that upgrade link that was shared. My t400 test machine crashed on install go figure. So trying it on the Sony isnt happening obviously. I did a full back up using the back up tool on windows 7.
However can someone confrim what files i should be able to see if i open the back up location. It did create a system image by default. I assume there is a way to not use the system image and just use the back up files it backed up? Or when you do the system image are they one in the same? This concerns me. Also can someone give me a refresher on how to back up a PST file for outlook? Is there anyway to backup the office accounting program im using. It was a free download from MS online that i cant seem to find any more. Thanks for all the help