Windows & RC Disk Image to RTM

Hi all,

I've been working off the Windows 7 RC for the past 3 months after upgrading from Vista. My laptop hard disk is beginning to fail, and the manufacturer is willing to replace it next week. So I'm going to have to install a new OS whether I'd like to or not.

If I back up my entire machine to 'disk image' using the built in backup & restore system, reinstall Vista Business and then upgrade to 7 RTM will I be able to use this 'disk image' to restore all my programs and settings, or will it refuse because it's a backup from the RC i.e. an earlier build.

I have access to the windows 7 RTM, but am ridiculously busy the next few months and would like to avoid re-installing the vast array of programs I currently use in this time, so if I have to use the RC still It doesn't bother me. I just need to know one way or another before my HD gives up so I make the right decision when re-installing the os.

Resolution said:

Hi all,

I've been working off the Windows 7 RC for the past 3 months after upgrading from Vista. My laptop hard disk is beginning to fail, and the manufacturer is willing to replace it next week. So I'm going to have to install a new OS whether I'd like to or not.

If I back up my entire machine to 'disk image' using the built in backup & restore system, reinstall Vista Business and then upgrade to 7 RTM will I be able to use this 'disk image' to restore all my programs and settings, or will it refuse because it's a backup from the RC i.e. an earlier build.

I have access to the windows 7 RTM, but am ridiculously busy the next few months and would like to avoid re-installing the vast array of programs I currently use in this time, so if I have to use the RC still It doesn't bother me. I just need to know one way or another before my HD gives up so I make the right decision when re-installing the os.

You can at least skip one step. (Vista)
You can restore the 7 RC image and upgrade to the RTM.

I wouldn't recommend Win7 backup though. Very unreliable.
I would download the trial of "Acronis True Image Home 2009"

When installed Acronis TI, you can create a "recovery CD" with it.

That recovery CD has all the functionality to make perfect backups, and you will be able to use the CD even if the trial period is over.

Good luck

I haven't used the disk imaging feature in Win7, but according to the Windows help files, you can restore a disk image to a new drive by booting from the Win7 install DVD. (I hope that you have an external HD for the image.) You would not need to install anything on the new drive before restoring the image. I'm not sure about partition sizes.

I've used Acronis True Image Home 2009 with some success on Win7 RC X64. It appears to not be 100% functional - I don't believe that it'll mount an image - but it can create and restore images, which is enough for me at the moment. It allows an image to be restoresd to a partition that isn't the same size as the source.

Clonezilla is open source and free. I cloned my hard drive too. It restored the RC as it was and still fully activated and ready to go. You DO need a place to put the clone though. A spare external hard drive is best. You could try Macrium Reflect too. That also has a free version that can clone.

There are a few guides out there that explain how to do an in place upgrade of the RC to the RTM, so you wont have to backup and restore. What nobody has explained is if you will be able to backup the RC and restore your files and programs onto a Pro or Home install of 7 when it is released. The RC is Ultimate. I wish Microsoft had released a RC of all the versions of 7.

squonksc said:

I wouldn't recommend Win7 backup though. Very unreliable.
I would download the trial of "Acronis True Image Home 2009"

I used the disk imaging feature in Windows 7 Pro recently and was very impressed. When I reimaged to Windows 7 Ultimate and realized I forgot something I just mounted the VHD file in Disk Management and recovered what I needed.

I own True Image as well, but I found the disk image feature to be quick, simple, and effective.

Disclaimer: I ran the tool on Win7 Pro RTM, not the RC or beta.