X-86 Expiration date ? 03 Mar 2010

The 6/1/2010 date would be the one to go by while SIW didn't show it when checked earlier. That seems to be the definite there to allow for any delays in 7's final release if for some reason.... ???

The one thing that's going to clear everything up in a heart est is the public RC not the evaluation copies of 7 that have been floating around. At that time there will specific information provided as part of the release while the 6/1/2010 suggests a set date for anything prior to retail/oem where nothing running now will continue from that point on not being the finished product.

The one thing again to remember about anything seen until now is that they are all temporary to begin with. What MS did with Vista and now for 7 was enlist the public to sign up as an additional means for collecting bug reports and suggestions for improvements, ideas on new features or changes, etc.

TomBattisti said:

I'm using an x86 PC with Build 7100 pre-release installed. I've just received an alert saying "This pre-release version of Windows 7 Ultimate will expire in 2 days". I've been reading on various forums the expiration date for Build 7100 is May/June 2010.

Which date is correct?

I believe the date listed in the About Windows box (open start and type: Winver).

Why do people continue to drag up old threads? This one in particular is ancient.

TomBattisti said:

uh thanks for the editorial comment 'DarkNovaGamer' - I guess I don't spend as much time as you evidently do trolling online forums for opportunities to express snide remarks to folks genuinely in search of information....

Think what you want. I just see more people helping someone that creates a new thread, rather then dragging up an ancient one.

As to your last question, you CAN upgrade from RC to Retail, although almost everyone here would suggest just doing a clean install to avoid any problems.

If your dead set on doing a RC to Retail upgrade, take a look here.