Windows 7 - evaluation copy to permanent copy

Hello everyone,
till now i was using Evaluation copy, Build 7100 of windows 7. now i have the full released version. i want to know how can i convert my current evaluation copy to permanent copy and still maintain all my current data and settings.

i tried changing the key, but it didn't work...
i dont want to re-format my PC, if there is a solution to this problem, please let me know.
thanks.

Hi and welcome

We need swome info before we can help you. the eval (7100) is what version of win &7 (ultimate, pro, etc)

The full copy is what version of win 7

Thanks

Ken J+

Doing this is not recommended by Microsoft. You will be much better off to do a complete clean install.

Even though it's not recommended, you can give this a try: How to Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to RTM (Final Release)

I'm going to try it just to see what happens but I expect I will eventually do a clean install. If you try this, please post back with results.

Just out of curiosity...what is it that you have done to your PC in terms of installations or configurations which makes it too difficult to simply do a clean install?

I hear this same question quite frequently, but I wouldn't have any problems if I had to format and reload my PC every 2 weeks

right now the evaluation copy is Windows 7 ultimate... and the full version i have is win 7 professional (x86)...

also tell me that if clean install is only recommended sol, then which one shall i install Windows 7 pro (x86) or (x64)... i have both available free of cost ... benefit of being a member of msdn e-academy.
i m not very comfortable with these things. i guess one is 64 bit n another is 32 bit OS may be. Also is there any difficulty in finding drivers for 64 bit OS.

here is a detailed config of my Comp:
intel core 2 duo e4300 @1.8GHz
asustek p5b-vm, Intel G965
ddr2 3gb ram

the only problem i have is reinstallation of softwares and then thier updates. the net connection i have is not very fast. so sometimes it takes a lot of time.
for eg. firefox. i have installed some add ons n configured them. i really want to keep the same settings. if there is a way out ( i guess some "export" option may be) for this and other softwares, then plz let me know. i will be more than happy to re format in that case...
what i did last time was i copied the application data folder from my XP win to win 7 thinking that same settings might get transferred ( this might sound funny ). but it wasnt of any help...

pparks1, doing a clean install is the easy part. Reinstalling all software and making the tweaks I want so Win 7 works for me the way I want is what takes time.

You cant upgrade from ultimate to pro anyway! unless you use a hack, and thats unadvisable since your current version is beta! Use the Easy Transfer to get all your settings and docs, music, video, etc... it works like a charm!

Then perform your clean install! Once done run Easy transfer on the clean install and copy your old stuff to the new install. You will have to reinstall any apps you had installed on the beta!

ZT

So get it where you want it make a vanilla backup and anytime it gets hosed restore that total time 30 mins.

I do that once a month


Ken J++