Windows 7 finding old programs

[guyfrom7up]

I recently upgraded from Windows 7 RC to Windows 7. I thought i did a clean install, but it kept all my data from my Windows 7 RC, which is nice because then i didn't have to transfer it back from my external HD. So far the only problem is that Windows 7 doesn't recognize any of my programs and stuff like that. Like if I goto My Documents, I get nothing. But if I goto my hard drive and manually goto it, All my origial documents from the RC show up (these are the files I want). More importantly, all my programs are still "installed" (I'm using firefox right now), but it's not in the program installed registry, so they don't come up on the start menu. Is there a fix for this?

 

[richc46]

Welcome

Here is the advice that almost every member will give you. Do a clean install. The time that you save now will be used three fold with problems in the future.

 

[richc46]

Here is the tutorial for a clean install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips

 

[guyfrom7up]

alright, It's going to take forever downloading and installing all my programs
oh well, thanks

 

[richc46]

The final decision is yours. If you are not truly happy with the answer, wait and get a few more. Then you can make an informed decision. But, I think that you will be doing the clean install.

Good Luck

 

[DocBrown]

When you went from RC Ultimate to Win7, which version ? Did you change your user name ? Did you change your computer name ? Have you tried taking ownership of the folders ?