no RC to Retail?!

[BigBrother]

I'm usually on IRC a lot so i asked around about my Win7 RC install and if it would continue if i used a retail key. according to about 6 or so people, i cannot.

any input ?

 

[Snufffed]

on IRC or not.

RC will not accept a OEM or RETAIL KEY. unless you do a lot of hacking. (Illegal).
RETAIL or OEM will not accept a RC KEY. unless you do a lot of hacking.
(ILLEGAL).

 

[TheSchaft]

I'm usually on IRC a lot so i asked around about my Win7 RC install and if it would continue if i used a retail key. according to about 6 or so people, i cannot.

any input ?

The Release Candidate will expire in March of next year. I believe your sources are correct that your retail key will not keep it alive.

If you are going to have a retail copy, why would you want to keep the RC running?

 

[BigBrother]

uhh... i'm kinda pretty much SET in my RC install... i like how everything is set and what not.

 

[Tews]

Get ready to be UP-SET if you plan to continue using the RC version, because it will cease to function after 3/2010 ..

 

[QuackPot]

Fresh installs are the way to go.

 

[TheSchaft]

You might want to look into something like Free backup software for Windows - GFI Backup Home Edition


"...GFI Backup 2009 allows you to back up all your important documents, photos, music, emails and program settings using a simple but smart wizard-driven interface to nearly every storage device (including local and external disk drives, LAN, CD/DVD, removable devices, remote FTP servers, etc.)...."

Can't hurt to give it a try and see if it can backup your settings so you can restore them when you have to move from the RC to the retail.

 

[Perrybucsdad]

Wouldn't he be able to just overlay the retail install and not do a fresh install?

 

[sup3rsprt]

yes if he buys the Ultimate version.

but it might take a trick, and I wouldn't recommend it anyways.

 

[BigBrother]

i pre-ordered Win7 ultimate. but i like what Schaft is suggesting. if i can just dump a selected number of programs over i'd be happy.

 

[DeaconFrost]

If you have it set up to your liking now, then take down any notes on the configuration and do a fresh install to remove any beta code. It shouldn't take that long to get the new install set up to your liking either.

 

[Snufffed]

The suggested method, and it does work...
chose Clean install, and this will move your Beta to what is called Windows.old
The next method is to move via Easy Transfer what you want from Beta to Clean install.

If done properly the major of your programs will work. some might need a repair install.
requardless of which version you will use as CLEAN INSTALL - RTM.

 

[wallyinnc]

chose Clean install, and this will move your Beta to what is called Windows.old
The next method is to move via Easy Transfer what you want from Beta to Clean install.

Snuffy, do you have to run the Easy Transfer tool on RC before you get rid of it, or will the contents of windows.old be equivalent to that?

 

[Perrybucsdad]

If you have it set up to your liking now, then take down any notes on the configuration and do a fresh install to remove any beta code. It shouldn't take that long to get the new install set up to your liking either.

Deacon, do you have any automated tips for recording those configurations?

 

[DeaconFrost]

Aside from a notepad and paper, not really. Some things, I do with a screen capture. For example, I switched e-mail providers, and I keep a screen shot of their server names and port numbers. There are others I do automatically, like setting the option to disable automatic reboots if I would happen to BSoD.

 

[Perrybucsdad]

No, no, no, that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I don't really have much configuring to do, once Windows 7 is installed, so I don't have much to keep track of. Aside from setting my power options, theme, and views in Explorer, that's about it. Oh, and editing the start menu to remove and clean up shortcuts, so they are organized.

 

[zigzag3143]

No, no, no, that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

Perry

What answer do you want to hear?

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

No, no, no, that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

:| We can let you hear whatever you want, but the truth is the truth.

A lot of users that used Windows 7 Beta/RC didn't want to re-install a newer version (Beta > RC or RC > Final), many are mad at Microsoft for not making it easy to do an in-place upgrade.

Most do not consider the fact that both the Beta and RC were for testing purposes only.

 

[Perrybucsdad]

No, no, no, that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

Perry

What answer do you want to hear?

I'm just being stupid. No, what I meant was I was looking for something that would document all of my configurations for me. Actually, there is a tool that I stumbled upon System Information for Windows. I think it will do what I am looking for.