Upgrading RC to Full Release

[sleaver]

I have an XP virtual machine that could really do with rebuilding however I have Windows 7 on pre order!

If I was to install the RC would I be able to upgrade to the full release when it is out now that we should be getting a version capable of upgrading?

Or should I just trudge along with XP and start again when it is released?

[conan]

According to MS this can't be done, they say it needs a full re-install.

[robodan]

You cannot upgrade through evolutions, so you cant upgrade from beta to RC and you cant upgrade from RC to RTM

[Lum]

There is a modification you can make to the CD to allow this, however it is not recommended that you do so as it was not designed for this and you may end up with bits of the RC left around to screw you up in the future.

Personally I would see if you can obtain the final release copy that is floating around now (eg. if your work have a technet or MSDN subscription, you can download it directly from Microsoft). It's Win7 Ultimate, but follow the procedure I linked above, but instead of mucking about with cversion.ini simply delete \sources\ei.cfg from the CD and then when you install you will be prompted to select what version you want, so pick Home Premium or whichever version you have pre-ordered and do not enter a product key when prompted.

You only get 30 days to activate, but just before the 30 days run out, open command prompt and type "slmgr /rearm" and it will reset the counter back to 30 days. You can do this up to 3 times giving you a limit of 120 days, which means when you get your final copy in October you can just enter your product key and you're sorted.

Edit: I just realised you're planning to buy an Upgrade copy.

Under no circumstances can you do an in-place upgrade from Windows XP. The "upgrade" edition is simply a lower priced version that requires Windows XP (or Vista) to be installed on your hard drive and activated before it will accept your product key. The advice I posted above will probably not work if you buy an upgrade edition

[Singh400]

Originally Posted by sleaver

I have an XP virtual machine that could really do with rebuilding however I have Windows 7 on pre order!

If I was to install the RC would I be able to upgrade to the full release when it is out now that we should be getting a version capable of upgrading?

Or should I just trudge along with XP and start again when it is released?

Bottom line is upgrading from RC to RTM is possible (with some dirty hacks). But it is neither recommended nor supported by Microsoft.

If you are from the UK then you don't have a Upgrade Edition on Pre-Order, it'll be the full version.

In which case I would advise you to wait and once you get your copy. To format and install a new.

[sleaver]

Originally Posted by Lum

Edit: I just realised you're planning to buy an Upgrade copy.

No, I pre-ordered when they were doing the £49.99 for Windows 7E but after the recent announcement I assume it will be the full install version but with an upgrade path included!

I think I will just wait then for October to save allot of hassle

[Lum]

Originally Posted by sleaver

No, I pre-ordered when they were doing the £49.99 for Windows 7E but after the recent announcement I assume it will be the full install version but with an upgrade path included!

I think I will just wait then for October to save allot of hassle

Yes it can upgrade a previous OS. Refer to the table I posted above to see that you're not going to upgrade from XP regardless of which box you buy.

[sleaver]

Originally Posted by Lum

Yes it can upgrade a previous OS. Refer to the table I posted above to see that you're not going to upgrade from XP regardless of which box you buy.

I get you now.

I'd start afresh from 7 anyway and just move all the data across but rather than starting with RC and then trying to upgrade that I'll just wait until October.

Thanks for your help.