How do I upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows RC 7100

bennn said:

I bought my computer with Windows 7 RC. I want to get the full version of Windows 7 (Home), as the RC will expire soon I believe. How do I do this?

Thanks,
B.

Did the store where you bought your computer give you a coupon for getting the Windows 7 retail? If not, you would need to buy the Win 7 Upgrade disk which goes for about $100.

Is your Win7 RC Ultimate 32bit or 64 bit ?

If you want the full version of windows HOME. You will have to do a clean install, because you can not downgrade to Home from Ultimate. Use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer settings, docs, pics, apps, programs, etc to an external HD. Then you can move them back in after HOME is installed.

Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers


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It's always best to clean install. MS allows this with the Upgrade version even if qualifying OS is not installed, as long as you have XP/Vista on hand to qualify.

As this blog from a Win7 developer discusses, it is not recommended to in-place Upgrade RC: Harold Wong's Blog Site : Can I do an In-Place upgrade from Windows 7 Release Candidate To Release Code??

However growing numbers have tried it and it works with no performance hit, largely thanks to this popular workaround.

Note the special steps at the end for RC.

That should work. Just follow the tutorials here at Seven Forums for the correct way


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