Windows 7: Windows 7 Beta To RC Upgrade Instructions

I'm not finding only a very few compatibility issues between 7 and XP here since a good deal of things that will not install even on Vista 32bit are now running on the 64bit 7! Plus the RC releases now available also see the XP mode I will be looking into where all your old XP programs will run in a virtual pc enviroment.

That's another good news for many item there. In fact with the previous multiboot of XP, Vista, and both 32bit and 64bit 7s alike XP is now "out of the equation" entirely! Most that kept running Vista and didn't bail out to go back to XP found that a lot more secure as well. 7 simply doesn't see the heavy feeling of Vista while seeing a number of improvements instead.

With the upgrade over the RC just seen once you have a fresh copy of one or both RCs on you can perform an inplace repair install if something goes wrong with the first to see that corrected. The one item to note so far however is the need for a new or different number for each installation even an upgrade.

The number seen when first downloading the 64bit RC refused to work on the initial try needing a second. The repair install saw the 64bit beta number used for that!

Is there anything free? Do I plunk down $200 for RC1 or is is free for the Beta team?

why would you want RC1 given that RTM is already out?



Ken J+

I'm curious to know this to.

I guess RTM is retail. Question still remains... is the only way from beta 7100 to Windows 7 current release is to purchase a retail version?

You can use an Upgrade version of WIndows 7, even boot from the DVD to do the cleanest possible format install. The Windows 7 DVD will scan the HD and see the RC to allow you to insert Upgrade key.

Even if there was no OS on the HD, there are workarounds approved by MS to use Upgrade media.

However, under the EULA you need a qualifying XP/Vista in order to use Upgrade version. It doesn't have to be installed, just need to have it on hand and not use it after upgrading.

The only way the issue would ever come up is during a possible reactivation where you are elevated to a MS person (very rare) and they ask for the qualifying XP/Vista, however no one has reported this yet to my knowledge. And if you make a Windows 7 backup image, you never have to reinstall anyway.

Welcome to the Windows 7 Forums! Qmarshal

The beta builds were the 7000s that expired back at the end of July. The Release Candidates 7100s were only available until August 20th and are good until March 1st 2010 when they start seeing shutdowns every 2hrs. of use until the 6/1/2010 expiration date.

The RTMs or Released To Manufacturers 7600 is the retail form of 7 sold retail and also available in OEM form for system builders. The OEMs are full install versions but limited in use to only one machine according to the licensing agreement there. But the prices are also lower then seen for the full retail editions since disks are sold individually for the 32bit and 64bit flavors of 7 there.

Once you have decided on which edition of 7 you plan to run the retail version of it will see both 32bit and 64bit disks included in the retail container. Before deciding on which edition you will go with you may want to look over the comparison chart on the differences in features. Compare Windows 7 Editions