lmacmil
join:2001-01-26
South Bend, IN | [WIN7] RC to retail version-"upgrade" or fresh install?
I am running the release candidate and like it a lot. If I decide to buy the retail package, will I have to do a fresh install or can I "upgrade" from the RC package to the retail version? |
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b_p_smith
join:2002-02-13 | Fresh install. It won't let you "upgrade". |
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MSeng
Premium,Ex-Mod 2001-08
join:2000-07-13
Ork
clubs:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to lmacmil
You could theoretically upgrade by modifying a system file (see links) but most will suggest you do a fresh installation due to the transition from beta bits to final versions could cause problems.
»www.intowindows.com/how-to-upgra···-to-rtm/
»www.howtogeek.com/howto/3075/how···-to-rtm/
FWIW, I did a complete reformat and install myself.
--
If things get any worse, I'll have to ask you to stop helping me. |
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Anav
Sarcastic Llama? Naw, Just Acerbic
Premium
join:2001-07-16
Dartmouth, NS
| reply to lmacmil
Interesting questions. In our case, my child at University is running a recent MSDN alliance win 7 ultimate version which is still considered 'trial' (on a mac via vmware fusion). MS has stated that that ppl will NOT be able to upgrade win 7 within vmware fusion, they will have to do a clean install. |
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palbri
Premium
join:2000-10-22
Bristol, VT
clubs:
 ·Vonage
 ·Comcast
1 edit | reply to MSeng
Out of curiosity, I will attempt this upgrade route once I receive the final paid key on 10/22. I had no problems upgrading from Vista to Beta, and then from Beta to RC using the aformentioned directions.
If the scenario fails, then I will do a clean install.
I will choose a day when I have lots of time. I back up routinely so the downside is the upgrade might take longer (it took 2+ hours for each Win7 upgrade). Hell, it will take longer anyways even if I am required to do a clean install. I still would have to install all the apps, update all the apps, tweak Win7 settings, etc.  I look forward to the challenge and will report back at that time! |
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jefe
Premium
join:2001-05-19
Northport, NY
·Verizon FIOS
| said by palbri  :I will choose a day when I have lots of time. I back up routinely so the downside is that it might take longer. Hell, it will take longer anyways even if I am required to do a clean install. I still would have to install all the apps, update all the apps, tweak Win7 settings, etc. I look forward to the challenge and will report back at that time! I so do NOT look forward to the challenge. 
It's exactly that kind of pain that inhibits me from upgrading my PC's more often than I do. If I ever become a Mac guy it will be because with the Mac OS you can simply copy all your applications and data from one machine to another and be up and running...tweaks and all. Painless. At least if I can believe all of the Mac users I know.
Since I'm not a Mac guy (yet), I've been waiting for the retail release of Win 7 to replace a few getting long-in-the-tooth Win XP machines. But I am not looking forward to the hours and days of installing, tweaking, and then weeks later finding things I thought I'd done but I had missed.  |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
1 edit | reply to lmacmil
Yeah the one thing I like about Mac's is that the applications are basically able to be picked up and dropped back in and they work. So a archive and install refreshes the OS and all your apps and setting are back.
I've never quite trusted reinstalling apps in Windows by just copying the folders to a backup drive. Never know if they will work properly after.
Like others said do not trust that way to force a upgrade. It may not check all files when copying over them.
--
Play a Death Knight?
www.theebonhold.com |
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Bigzizzzle
Premium
join:2005-01-27
Franklin, TN | reply to lmacmil
RC Has no upgrade path, so Clean install is imperative. |
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LittlePiggie
Premium
join:2009-09-11 | reply to lmacmil
Better get started backing up your files/programs now.  |
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51200853
join:2005-09-08 | reply to lmacmil
Not looking at doing fresh install. I am happy on how "evaluation" version is running. Is it possible to change the key to keep this one from expiring instead of having to do fresh install? |
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MSeng
Premium,Ex-Mod 2001-08
join:2000-07-13
Ork
clubs: | No. |
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palbri
Premium
join:2000-10-22
Bristol, VT
clubs:
·Vonage
·Comcast
4 edits | reply to MSeng
Per my note above and contrary to the opinion that the RC has no upgrade path, I am happy to report I did perform a successful Win 7 Upgrade from Win 7 RC Ultimate to Win7 Final Home Premium!
Moreover, you CAN also use the purchased Win 7 Home Premium Upgrade (or any other purchased Win 7 Upgrade version) to "downgrade" from the Win 7 RC Ultimate Version.
By default, it is not possible to "downgrade" the installed version of Windows 7 RC Ultimate to a lesser edition. One encounters an error message informing you an upgrade isn't possible, and that you must perform a clean install.
But, I found a workaround online indicating you can change 2 registry keys in the current Win 7 RC Ultimate Version to "trick" itself into thinking it is really the Win 7 RC "Home" Version (or any other version such as Professional, etc). Then you run the Win 7 Home Premium upgrade (or any other purchased "upgrade" version) and the system successfully converts to the final release (once you activate it with your paid product key).
It took 2+ nail biting hours for the upgrade process but it was worth it overall for me since everything is intact and I didn't have to reinstall any apps,updates, etc which would have taken days or more.
True, I would strongly suggest a clean install for most, but for those of us who like to tinker and take risks, the workaround DOES work.
So far, everything is running smoothly and all apps are working while all files are intact. Will continue to monitor for any hiccups.
Sweet! |
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CovMac
join:2000-11-06
Covington, LA
·AT&T U-Verse
| palbri,
Do you think that those registry key changes would work to fool an installed Vista Business 32bit into thinking that it was Vista Home Premium 32bit so that I could do an upgrade to WIN7 Home Premium 32bit instead of the "supported" clean install of WIN7 Home Premium?
Thanks!
--
Mac |
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Wazoo
@sbcglobal.net
| reply to lmacmil
Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version:
»icrontic.com/articles/upgrade-th···homepage |
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palbri
Premium
join:2000-10-22
Bristol, VT
clubs:
·Vonage
·Comcast
| Yes, that was the link. I couldn't remember it! |
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