Once Win 7 RC expires, then what?

Duddy

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2002
4,674
9
81
Will I be able to upgrade this RC version to the retail copy by buying a license? Anyone know?

I have made the switch and am using Win 7 RC as my main OS, but don't want to go through hell later.
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
7,326
2
76
I've been able to upgrade between builds, so I'm imagining there will be SOME way to do it later on.
 

KeypoX

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2003
3,655
0
71
Originally posted by: Aluvus
Originally posted by: sgrinavi
I believe that you will need to do a fresh install.

My memory is that Microsoft has stated as much.

yeah but you will be able to do it.

Kinda sucks that you can't backup all your programs and games then reload and restore...
 

IHAVEAQUESTION

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2005
1,061
3
81
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.
 

13Gigatons

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
7,461
500
126
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

 

JessicaD

Junior Member
May 8, 2009
19
0
0
Aluvus,

You are indeed correct -- you will have to do a fresh install to migrate from Windows 7 RC to the general release if you purchase Windows 7 on or after October 22nd. It is always recommended to perform a clean install whenever installing any OS to ensure the best performance.

To learn more about Windows 7 and get some very vital tips that every Windows 7 user should know check out Microsoft Springboard.

http://tinyurl.com/832nco

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team
 

pcslookout

Lifer
Mar 18, 2007
11,958
155
106
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

As an exception or not, I have to disagree. On my modern tablet 7 is fantastic. It is very quick, has integrated VMs for testing and compatibility that are pretty seamless, offers great handwriting recognition, great productivity when using OneNote, and great security via TPM/bitlocker/biometric integration.

I use both regularly and they are just different animals: From a personal daily life and multimedia standpoint (no gaming) I really like OS X for the visual cues that are present everywhere and for the productivity that can be had from the integration between the main software suite and the OS.

For work, I really like windows 7. The management tools are top notch and technologies such as DirectAccess will make it fantastic to manage.

Regardless of what I have just said, you two are being a little too critical of 7 and not critical enough of OS X. I use both daily and while both have their strengths, and cannot agree that 7 is as bloated and slow as you make it out to be.

Right now both of them are fantastic.
 

IHAVEAQUESTION

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2005
1,061
3
81
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

As an exception or not, I have to disagree. On my modern tablet 7 is fantastic. It is very quick, has integrated VMs for testing and compatibility that are pretty seamless, offers great handwriting recognition, great productivity when using OneNote, and great security via TPM/bitlocker/biometric integration.

I use both regularly and they are just different animals: From a personal daily life and multimedia standpoint (no gaming) I really like OS X for the visual cues that are present everywhere and for the productivity that can be had from the integration between the main software suite and the OS.

For work, I really like windows 7. The management tools are top notch and technologies such as DirectAccess will make it fantastic to manage.

Regardless of what I have just said, you two are being a little too critical of 7 and not critical enough of OS X. I use both daily and while both have their strengths, and cannot agree that 7 is as bloated and slow as you make it out to be.

Right now both of them are fantastic.

Can you believe this many quotes and it's not a flame war yet? :D

Well, no one said Win 7 is bloated, at least not yet in this thread. But if anything, OSX seems to have taken a bigger step in trimming down the fat. So does that mean OSX is perfect? No. But a lot of it has to do with Apple's design philosophy. Certain stuff they just don't provide to the end users. e.g. URL drop down list on Safari, the 2nd mouse botton...etc. Apple does put form over substance on occasion.

MSFT doesn't know have to make a perfect OS. Apple, avoids making one.

Now take your poison.
 

CptCrunch

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2005
1,877
1
0
I think that windows 7 is what vista should have been. Is it radically different than Vista, no, but it has some new features, and has some kernel and gpu tweaks that make it run faster and doesn't have the negative view that Vista currently has.
 

Barfo

Lifer
Jan 4, 2005
27,539
212
106
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

So you judge an OS by the quantity of "special effects" it has? that's pretty moronic.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,729
12,761
126
www.anyf.ca
Never do an upgrade. It only opens a can of worms. RC is not meant for production use anyway so a reformat should not really big a big deal.
 

imported_Tryckee

Junior Member
Apr 28, 2009
10
0
0
I'd agree that when Windows 7 is officially released, the only way to upgrade from the RC will be to do a fresh install. That is why it's not my main OS and it's running on its own box.
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

What windows 7 does is make the user experience simpler. When I installed windows 7 on my laptop, all I needed to really do was install the video card drives. Thats it! It recognized my wireless/usb/everything else perfectly. The video wasn't that bad either, its just that I needed real drivers to game. Thats the beauty of Windows 7. Its a better end user experience.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,729
12,761
126
www.anyf.ca
Originally posted by: Hacp
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

What windows 7 does is make the user experience simpler. When I installed windows 7 on my laptop, all I needed to really do was install the video card drives. Thats it! It recognized my wireless/usb/everything else perfectly. The video wasn't that bad either, its just that I needed real drivers to game. Thats the beauty of Windows 7. Its a better end user experience.

XP will do all this as well. In fact win2k would too, all MS should of really did is take win2k, just add better hardware support to it, add new features (nothing bloated). That's it. They were in the right direction with win2k. XP is not bad by today's standards but it took a few years for hardware to catch up to it and th ey did lot of weird things such as the start menu changes (which thankfully can be changed easily, always the first thing I do on a new profile)
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Originally posted by: Hacp
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

What windows 7 does is make the user experience simpler. When I installed windows 7 on my laptop, all I needed to really do was install the video card drives. Thats it! It recognized my wireless/usb/everything else perfectly. The video wasn't that bad either, its just that I needed real drivers to game. Thats the beauty of Windows 7. Its a better end user experience.

XP will do all this as well. In fact win2k would too, all MS should of really did is take win2k, just add better hardware support to it, add new features (nothing bloated). That's it. They were in the right direction with win2k. XP is not bad by today's standards but it took a few years for hardware to catch up to it and th ey did lot of weird things such as the start menu changes (which thankfully can be changed easily, always the first thing I do on a new profile)

On the surface perhaps...
 

XBoxLPU

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2001
4,249
1
0
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Originally posted by: Hacp
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

What windows 7 does is make the user experience simpler. When I installed windows 7 on my laptop, all I needed to really do was install the video card drives. Thats it! It recognized my wireless/usb/everything else perfectly. The video wasn't that bad either, its just that I needed real drivers to game. Thats the beauty of Windows 7. Its a better end user experience.

XP will do all this as well. In fact win2k would too, all MS should of really did is take win2k, just add better hardware support to it, add new features (nothing bloated). That's it. They were in the right direction with win2k. XP is not bad by today's standards but it took a few years for hardware to catch up to it and th ey did lot of weird things such as the start menu changes (which thankfully can be changed easily, always the first thing I do on a new profile)

I don't know what world you are living on but Win2k did not provide 99% of the drivers that Vista and Windows 7 does out of a fresh installation. Window XP was an improvement of 2K but no where near Vista/W7 as far as driver handling


 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,729
12,761
126
www.anyf.ca
Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Originally posted by: Hacp
Originally posted by: pcslookout
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I might migrate to a Mac when the RC expires. Win 7 is good by windows' standard, but it's nothing compared to OSX. When I got a chance to use OSX at Apple store, I kept thinking to myself, what have Microsoft been doing in the last 10 years? Win 7 is only slightly better than XP, and the taskbar, which many people love, is inferior to the object dock in the mac.

Win 7 just didn't go far enough for me to stay.

I hate the Windows 7 hype, it's really not a big leap over Vista. It's still bloated and there aren't many special effects like OSX or Linux.

I'm sure there will be a way to upgrade RC to RTM..even if it isn't officially supported.

Yep I feel the same way. It is nothing but hype like just like with all the latest hollywood films when they first come out. Then when the public finally realizes it is not that good it dies down. I see the same happening with Windows 7 soon.

What windows 7 does is make the user experience simpler. When I installed windows 7 on my laptop, all I needed to really do was install the video card drives. Thats it! It recognized my wireless/usb/everything else perfectly. The video wasn't that bad either, its just that I needed real drivers to game. Thats the beauty of Windows 7. Its a better end user experience.

XP will do all this as well. In fact win2k would too, all MS should of really did is take win2k, just add better hardware support to it, add new features (nothing bloated). That's it. They were in the right direction with win2k. XP is not bad by today's standards but it took a few years for hardware to catch up to it and th ey did lot of weird things such as the start menu changes (which thankfully can be changed easily, always the first thing I do on a new profile)

I don't know what world you are living on but Win2k did not provide 99% of the drivers that Vista and Windows 7 does out of a fresh installation. Window XP was an improvement of 2K but no where near Vista/W7 as far as driver handling


Well that's because it's old, but at the time, it did a pretty good job at handling the hardware of it's time. So for it to be made newer all MS really should of done is added support for new drivers/technologies like USB 2.0, sata and what not. Sata was actually a big one. Remember having to hunt online for hours to find the floppy disk drivers so you could hit F8 at the windows setup so it would even detect the disk? that was a pita.

Then there's win98, it had zero support for any hardware on clean install. You were stuck at 480*640 16 color until you installed the video driver. win2k was not like that (though it really depended on the hardware, XP did handle it better). That's just the thing of MS adding the drivers though. No need for an entire OS revamp.
 

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Why are you comparing Win 7 to WinXP??

Anyone who claims that Vista SP1 is garbage clearly has absolutely no idea what they are talking about. You should be comparing Windows 7 to Vista, in which case you would be right, they are very similar. As for OSX being superior, that is an opinion - they both have their strengths and both have their weaknesses.

After a complete rewrite of the kernel from XP to Vista (But still NT based), what do you want them to do? Vista SP1 is a great OS, Windows 7 improves on all of that.

To answer the OP's question, typically MS does not allow upgrades between builds, especially since, in this case, you could be migrating to a lesser version of Windows 7 AND you have to change the product key to revalidate.

-Kevin