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#10
Looks like a loophole to get a cheap Seven install, just keep a copy of a beta build on hands and you can get windows 7 for the upgrade price.It also has to be noted that a clean install at a later time requires a Windows XP or Windows Vista installation (or a new installation of a pre-RTM build of Windows 7).
That's nice of MS.
It's my impression that the W7 RC client will be valid till Jul 2010.
So thing is you have to be a beta tester who had all ready downloaded his / her copy and claimed your Unique Key on witch you can validate it with MS.
Correct me if i'm wrong.
But yea after that date heh the trick won't work.
Hmmmmm.
-Phenom
I have a question that I want answered before I buy the upgrade.
I just bought a new computer (should be here Monday) without an operating system, and I am going to install Windows 7 RC on it. If I buy the upgrade, can I perform a clean install WITHOUT "windows.old" or can I delete it if not?
And if I decide to do a clean install after I do the upgrade, can I just use the RC burnt disc? I don't have Vista or XP.
Windows 7 RC users will be able to install Windows 7 Upgrade discs
Today's the last day to pre-order Windows 7 Upgrade discs for half off (US Only I think). But Microsoft almost always offers upgrade discs for existing Windows users for a lower cost than the full install discs. So even if you don't get your order in today, you can probably save a few bucks by ordering Windows 7 Upgrade instead of the full version. The question is: will you be able to install it?
Microsoft has already stated that Windows Vista and Windows XP users would be able to use the upgrade discs. But this week the company also confirmed that those of you who have been using Windows 7 RC will also be able to upgrade to Windows 7 final using the upgrade discs.
There is a catch. While the Windows 7 installer won't overwrite your files, it will copy all of your existing data to a folder labeled WINDOWS.OLD, which means that you won't be able to run most applications without reinstalling them. But at least you won't lose your documents in the upgrade process.
Now here's the bigger catch: While you won't need to downgrade from Windows 7 RC to Vista or XP in order to install Windows 7 final the first, time, you will need to install one of those operating systems and activate it first if you want to do a clean install in the future. Because the Windows 7 upgrade disc will only work with an activated version of Windows. That means you'll need an activated version of Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 RC to start with or the disc will be useless.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion guys.
Edit: Source is Downloadsquad.com
Last edited by neowlchaz; 11 Jul 2009 at 15:25. Reason: Stating source
So I can't do a clean install with the upgrade disc? I NEED to keep a "windows.old" folder, or can I choose not to keep anything?
You HAVE to do a clean install with a 'windows.old' folder, otherwise the upgrade disc will not be able to detect an OS, rendering it useless. If you get a full disc however, you will be able to do a clean install without need for a 'windows.old' folder. It isn't much of a problem, if anything, I find, having the 'windows.old' folder incredibly usefull, as it stoes all your documents, installs and such, which will be great for apps you need when you first install the OS, and also for drivers.