How to Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to RTM (Final Release)

personally, I'll just be doing a clean format, only takes about 30 mins to get things set up exactly as they are now for me, including the install
 
can i upgrade from windows vista x64 to windows 7 ? how much do you think it will cost ? and is it worth the upgrade ? thankyou in advance.
 
Aye clean install is always the way.
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Also agree but just though I would post it for those that dont want to re-format.

Infact I have already taken notes before doing the rebuild..

Stage 1 – Backups

Files

Backup files if they are the same disk as Windows - Mine are on a separate 500GB disk making the rebuild less trouble.

Backup Browser Bookmarks

You can do this using FavBackup. There is a good review\guide for this here.

Back Itunes Playlists

Make a copy of C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\Music Library.xml (Windows XP) or C:\Users\username\Music\Music Library.xml (Windows Visa) and save it somewhere that will not be overwritten by OS rebuild.

Backup Steam Games

Stage 2 - Checks

Perform Check Disk while Windows 7 RC is installed.
Reboot and let check disk complete. If it all passes time to move on :)

Stage 3 - Install

Install Windows 7
Install AV Software with latest detection files
Perform Windows Update (Don’t select hardware drivers “Well I don’t”)
Install Firefox (To download other software and provide web access)

Stage 4 - Drivers

Install Latest Nvidia Driver www.nvidia.com
Install Latest Xi-Fi Driver www.creative.com

Stage 5 - Software

AVIR Home Free – Normally install this before connecting to the Internet
MS Office 2007 Enterprise (Used Open Office for a long time but can get MS Office on Home Agreement for £8.95)
CCleaner
Defraggler
Steam - Restore games from backup
VLC
Spotify (Amazing program)
Stardock Fences (Really like this program and keeps my icons nice and tidy)
MP3 Tagger (Music Brainz)

Firefox


Restore settings and bookmarks using FavBackup
Themes (List)
Add-ons (Ad Block, OCUK Custom view, Smartbookmarks, Google Bookmarks)

Itunes - Restore my Playlists from Backup

Reinstall iTunes

Open iTunes and use File|Add Folder to re-import music
Close iTunes
Delete C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\Music Library.xml (Windows XP) or C:\Users\username\Music\Music Library.xml (Windows Visa) and replace with file backed up earlier
Open iTunes
Select File|Library|Import Playlist
Change file type to *.*
Browse to iTunes Library.xml & click [Open]
This should re-create all your playlists.

Sync backup

This is used to backup my data to a large USB2 drive. The first backup takes awhile but once done I have it set to do a differential backup once a week. This is often quick as not much changes.

Stage 6 – Settings

Some of these setting might be set already.

Set VLC as default video player
Set VLC as default music player
Turn off Hidden Files and Folders
Change Wallpaper

Stage 6 –New Build Cleanup

Reboot
Run CCleaner Registry and Temp Clean
Run Defrag

Job Done, a nice clean install.

Any software you would change?

What will be your steps?
 
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no need to 'backup' steam games

just simply copy & paste the steam folder. running steam.exe will install steam again


also, to backup firefox

start, run, %appdata%, press enter

go into.... Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

then go into the folder with random letters/numbers and copy (or zip) the contents



then on the new install, go to the same place (letters/numbers will be different) and replcae all contents with the ones you backed up

all firefox settings restored :)
 
It will be a good oppertunity to do a bit of well overdue housekeeping, so it'll be a clean install for me as well. I think from experience clean install is the way to go.
 
Sorry for sounding lazy here but, where do I get W7 RTM from? I already have W7 RC x64 on my PC.
 
Thanks.

Not sure why everyone is so obsessed with clean installs for an operating system that most people have only been using for a couple of months.

If it was years I could understand it. But months? Come on.

Personally, I will definitely be doing the upgrade from the RC as this guy describes it.

Thanks for posting the link. Very useful.
 
I don't see it on there. I type in Windows 7 RTM and it comes up with the RC. Is it even out yet?

Edit - I got this email off them a few days ago: Windows 7 RTM Announcement‏. Still dunno how to get it though.
 
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Macky said:
I don't see it on there. I type in Windows 7 RTM and it comes up with the RC. Is it even out yet?

Edit - I got this email off them a few days ago: Windows 7 RTM Announcement‏. Still dunno how to get it though.
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do you subscribe to msdn/technet? i'm guessing the answer is no.... :p
 
Damnit I sound so stupid lol. How do I subscribe, or can't I? I have a Technet account that is obviously how I got W7 RC x64.
 
no need to 'backup' steam games

just simply copy & paste the steam folder. running steam.exe will install steam again


also, to backup firefox

start, run, %appdata%, press enter

go into.... Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

then go into the folder with random letters/numbers and copy (or zip) the contents
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will do that. Much rather not use a 3rd party app.

copy/paste? far too much work.

i just store mine on another partition permanently. just run steam.exe (no need for the installer) on the clean install and it updates itself rather nicely.
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So I can keep my steam games on a seperate partition? So do I actually install steam again?

I don't see it on there. I type in Windows 7 RTM and it comes up with the RC. Is it even out yet?
Click to expand...

Yes it is out and available for download, slow download speeds due to demand though.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/265615/download-rush-on-windows-7-rtm.html
 
Spooter said:
So do I actually install steam again?
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nope, read my post again. ;)

inside your steam folder is steam.exe - just run it again on a clean install (folder location doesn't matter. it can be anywhere).

infact i'm on a brand spanking new install myself. this is what happens when you run it first time - make sure you right click and run as administrator (you only need to run as admin first time though)

steam.png


then you just need to supply your login details and away you go. also you'll need to configure any preferences again too.
 
Well all I did was install STEAM again, delete STEAM folder and copyover the backup of the steam folder.

All services restored, ran GTA4, GTA4 updated by installing its services and social club and activated perfectly.

Win.
 
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