Preserving installed programs...

[BCXtreme]

Hey,

I'm looking to upgrade three computers running a Windows 7 beta build (two on 7077, one on 7068) to the new RC build. I've heard that it's best to do a clean install rather than an upgrade. I've also seen Microsoft describe ways to backup and restore files and settings when performing a clean install.

The biggest hassle for me lies in having to re-install all of the programs on the three computers. So is there any backup solution that would allow me to automatically restore/reinstall my programs after performing a clean install of Windows? Or can this just not be done with a clean install?

Thanks!

 

[rafiki]

I've also seen Microsoft describe ways to backup and restore files and settings when performing a clean install.

Could you give me a pointer to that info please?

Thanks.

Brian.

 

[BCXtreme]

Could you give me a pointer to that info please?

Thanks.

Brian.

It's at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/pc-backup.aspx The methods described will only back up data and settings, not actual programs.

 

[torrentg]

As I've seen stated elsewhere on this site, you can only upgrade to the RC from build 7077, not 7068.

 

[BCXtreme]

As I've seen stated elsewhere on this site, you can only upgrade to the RC from build 7077, not 7068.

Unless you edit a certain file on the DVD image, which I plan to do. Either way though, I've heard that upgrading from build to build isn't recommended anyway. That's why I'm trying to figure out how to do a clean install without having to reinstall all of my programs manually afterwards.

 

[rafiki]

If I back up my W7 BETA registry to flash drive can I then restore it to W7 RC ok? Would that then allow my programmes to run after restoring them from backup without having to reinstall them all?

Brian.

 

[cyclism6486]

No....I'm sure the RC has different/new registry keys/values that you would whack if you copied your old registry over it...then not only wouldn't your apps work, but Windows wouldn't either...or worse yet, it would seem to work until some "gotcha" appeared later because of a hosed registry key.

 

[rafiki]

hmmm.... what a shame. thought i was onto something there