Install RTM, then activate w/ key in October?

[agro666]

Can I install the RTM build 7600.16385 on my system and choose to not activate somehow? I thought I read somewhere that you can choose to not activate for up to 120 days before it becomes unusable? If I did this, then I could install now and be able to activate with the key I will get in October (I pre-bought it).

The concerns I have are...
1) can a fully functioning copy be installed without an activation key and not be hindered in any way initially?
2) the copy I bought is "[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Operating System Software - UPGRADE Version - DVD"[/FONT]. I haven't seen any copies of the RTM build online that were not Ultimate.
3) I would be doing a clean install initially, but my key is an upgarde. I DO have a Windows XP Pro key, but I hate upgrading, I want to clean install always (always have with all previous OS's).

What are my choices? Thanks for any responses you may have.

 

[zigzag3143]

Fraid not. You have to activate. It doesnt require a key to activate, and with re-arm you will have 120 days before you have to deal with it. By then win 7 will be released to the public.
1-yes
2-didnt ask a question
3-you will be able to clean install.

let us know if you need anything else

Ken

 

[spydaz]

I thought that windows 7 is a new KERNAL.... So there is ONLY a Fresh install path... even is you upgrade Essentially It must be a Clean install....

I will really like to get hold of one of these "Upgrade" disks.. as it gets real confusing... Why buy an upgrade when the pre-releases versions are the cheapest windows has ever been "actually the correct price", when it comes out fully the full price will have to be paid..."Whoah TOO MUCH" <some people will still be on various "other versions">

I think that even if you buy a FULL VISTA or UPGRADE VISTA, Microsoft Will send you a FULL WINDOWS 7 Equvilent in the post..... So if you need to upgrade from XP>VISTA : that will be a final resting place for that "BOOT" < Your new windows 7 will be a FULL CLEAN install.> Even on microsofts videos they say "our upgrades are very sloppy"....Hmm....


PS im still waiting for my "home premium" & "professional" E Versions......to be sent/ released.. Your very lucky to have your dvd already!

 

[DoubleJ]

NO one can really now

but the answers to yourconcerns are for now yes you can use a funtion called rearm to continue using the rtm through to october, jsut do a qucik search theres lots of helpful how to's the second note, is the version that are out there listed as Ultamite will allow you to install any version below that including pro, I would recommend this as you wont be able to use your product key in ultamite, you can clean install, your product key will be for that version of windows, what you paid for was an an upgrade editon of windows not an upgrade product key Theat will not know the difference just that you have win 7 installed on your system.

Hope that Actualy helps, NOw the reason I say no body really knows for sure, is there has'nt been a release to users yet, so know one has tried, I plan to do the same at this time, just waiting on a clean release, from Either the oems or Technet, these leaked copy's Though unlickly could possible not be good, enough and may not work with your later product key, though the versions I mentioned will, as those people will have to activate at some time as well.

 

[CatFish]

Rearm is the only option for now... as there are no "keys" yet.

If you pre-ordered, than I guess you should wait

Kind regards.

 

[CatFish]

At least, I would.

 

[iseeuu]

2) the copy I bought is "[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Operating System Software - UPGRADE Version - DVD"[/FONT]. I haven't seen any copies of the RTM build online that were not Ultimate.

I see the problem here, if you install this RTM Ultimate, then in Oct receive your 7 Pro, what issues will you have installing the Pro?

Somebody help me out here please, RTM stands for "Release To Manufacturer", correct? I am not a manufacturer so how would I benefit from installing this? I would have to get a key from a manufacturer, right?

If you keep your RC1 until your 7 Pro arrives, you will be allowed to install the Pro using your activated RC1 as the upgrade path, meaning it won't care that the RC1 is "Ultimate" and that the retail upgrade is "Pro". Can anyone say the same for the RTM? So again what is the benefit of installing the RTM?

Part of the confusion, in my opinion, is the many ways we use the word "upgrade". With the purchase of a "Full Version", no one cares what OS you currently have installed. You wipe the hard drive clean and install a new OS. With a "License Upgrade", you have a qualifying OS installed so you can use the less expensive "Upgrade" instead of the more expensive "Full Version" (and legally you must retire the old OS you upgraded from, can't use it on another computer).

But a Windows 7 "Upgrade" doesn't automatically mean after you install 7 that all of your programs, files and settings are just the way you left them. I understand that versions of Vista will "Upgrade" the OS to the same version (or higher) of 7 and not disturb the working programs or the user settings. With all other installs, even the "Upgrade" ones, you will need to reinstall all of your working programs and transfer your settings, preferences, and folders using the "Easy Transfer Wizard". Or you could do that manually by copying those things from the "Windows.old" folder that the 7 "Upgrade" saves to you C drive.

The end result is that we will be allowed to use the cheaper "Upgrade" to install 7, but will basically do a clean install of a new OS and manually transfer all our stuff afterward.

In my opinion, I would think you would want to keep your activated copy of RC1 and wait for your retail Pro to arrive. I'm sure others would feel differently.

 

[DJG]

That's why I installed RTM Home Premium. a couple of clarifications:

- Using an upgrade kit with XP always requires a clean install - there's no in-place upgrade option.

- (Sort of goes with OP item 2) When you install the RTM you get to choose the edition. I installed HP because that's what my pre-order upgrade is for. If you install RTM Pro you should be good using the rearm process to get you to the release date and you get your key.

PS - Welcome to this crazy whirlwind agro666 . Have fun!

 

[spydaz]

I personally Would BOther With the RTM BUILDS...

For me they have not been confirmed a REAL copy YET.....
Probably Various SYSPREP INSTALLS.

KEEP ON WITH THE RC - Untill the REAL RELEASE COMES.....
SAFER.... Again Remember that the RC doesnt need to be rearmed...

every thing done in these RCs/RTMs are JUST LAB/TEST.... So dont get attached i say.. Really The mode should be GET PREPARED FOR THE RELEASE TO ARRIVE.... I have move most of my DATA into Various VHDs... Virtualizing my storage library... Much Neater and secure. Quicker too...

BUT If the RTMS are REAL EVALUATION VERSIONS of Windows 7 then RE-Arm should work... or even CHANGE PRODUCT CODE...

 

[ttremeth]

rearm

If you do an upgrade using the RTM today but just rearm until your upgrade keys come, you should be able to activate then as the RTM is the retail version. This is my understanding.just type the keys in when they arrive! Someone who actually know from MS, please correct me.

 

[Tews]

RTM is not available unless you have an MSDN/AA, TechConnect account or other subscription service, in which a legitimate key will register your copy of windows 7.

 

[ttremeth]

Correct

Yes. Of course that is correct however the RTM is what will be released in the retail box on October 22 so if you have access to technet and want to use the image and wait until keys arrive there is nothing legally stopping you. The reason for not using the technet keys is that they are not meant for personal use.

Therefore the original poster obviously had access to the RTM but wanted to take advantage of the rearm until his "personal" keys came. MS has no issue with this at all, it is obviously a good promotion of Windows 7. What we wanted to know that if a legitimate upgrade was done, would he just paste his keys in to the activate box come October 22 and be on his merry MS way?

So in conclusion he is trying to do the right thing as far as licence goes but use the legitimate rearm process available. This question will be a big one as people are excited about windows 7 and I have not been able to find a statement from MS about this exact scenario.

However reading this post the answer appears to be yes but it is an educated guess.

 

[strogg]

ok, ttremeth hit the op's scenario head on from what i read.

now i got a fanciful question i'd like to ask. i think this approach would be a much easier approach than swapping keys and whatnot: assuming everything i have is legit (which it is, including a legal older copy of windows), can i do an upgrade install of windows 7 home premium on TOP of that said windows 7 home premium AND keep all of my old settings using the said legit upgrade key? i have a new computer and an unused xp key. i don't feel like clean installing in a month and a half.

hell, i'll make the question even easier: can i upgrade windows 7 with windows 7 w/o a clean install? the upgrade chart ms provided neglected to mention that scenario.

 

[Tews]

I dont believe you would be able to do an inplace upgrade under those circumstances.

 

[Barman58]

It is not normal practice to enable an upgrade from a pre-release to a retail release - although microsoft has published details on how to achieve this although they do not recommend it.

These upgrade options are of course limited to SKU - so the Ultimate RC could only be upgraded to the Ultimate RTM/Retail

RTM is Released to Manufacturing not Released to Manufacturer a subtle difference but important - the RTM build is the retail build, and will be in the box come October 22.

 

[strogg]

ok that clears everything up, then. i guess i'll try not to get too cozy with xp in the next 6 weeks. thanks!

 

[new]

Default Product Key and Product Key

What is the difference between a Windows 7 Default Product Key and a Product Key?

 

[Tews]

A default product key is one that is hard coded into the OS that allows for temporary activation while you are evaluating Windows 7.

 

[Barman58]

Basically the Windows software protection scheme requires a product key to work therefor to allow for the 30 days grace period an default Key is provided. this key provides time limited functionality.

To provide unlimited operation a valid key is required

 

[new]

Thanks for the info Guys.