Windows 7 RC To Final Upgrade Possible

zay · 11 Jul 2009

myzr7 said:

Spose we will only know what works after the release. I do know I have pre-ordered a upgrade. I do know that I prefer a clean install. I do know that I would like to keep dual booting with Vista as I am now(need Vista for trouble shooting purposes). I do not want to invalidate my Vista License. I do want a valid Windows 7 insulation. mmm

Why don't you install your licensed copy of vista on another partition (yes, have two installs of Vista), that way you won't lose your vista when you upgrade to W7.

copernicus · 11 Jul 2009

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).

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.

That's nice of MS.

garbanzo · 11 Jul 2009

copernicus said:

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.

That's nice of MS.

i don't think so... it sounds like the upgrade needs to be installed over an activated version of windows. if the beta/rc builds stop activating, then this little trick won't work...

Phenom · 11 Jul 2009

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

quickquestion · 11 Jul 2009

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.

neowlchaz · 11 Jul 2009

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

neowlchaz · 11 Jul 2009

quickquestion said:

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.

My guess will be no. As the install will require an installed OS, if you do a clean install, with formatting, wouldn't that remove the OS totally, disabling any chance of detection?

quickquestion · 11 Jul 2009

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?

neowlchaz · 11 Jul 2009

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.

fakeasdf · 11 Jul 2009

quickquestion said:

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 will have to do a clean install with the upgrade disc, you just have to have an activated version of windows on the computer. It will create the Windows.old folder, you can get all of your old stuff out of it and then delete the folder after the installation.