Can I bridge with Windows 7RC until October Launch...?

[kenej2005]

Hi folks,

New to self building and have only ever done basic software installations. Me = noob

I'm doing my first self-build next weekend and the plan is to install 64 bit Windows 7 RC and use that as my sole OS until I can buy the final release at launch in October (I'm going from XP and want to just skip Vista).

The OS will be on a separate HDD, along with other software I routinely use (Office, Sony Vegas, Photoshop etc.).

When Windows 7 is officially launched do I just upgrade to the final version and install without issues or will I have all kinds of dramas? Not quite sure if what I'm planning is workable...?

BTW - I know that Microsoft are planning to allow anyone who buys Vista now a free upgrade when Windows 7 comes out. However, the details of how that may work aren't yet released...so I'd rather play safe and just jump straight to Windows 7 if that's possible?

Thanks for your help folks.

Cheers

Jon.

 

[kenej2005]

Thanks mate. Good to know it's a viable option.

When the full version of Windows 7 launches do I reformat the whole drive (so I need to re-install Office, Vegas, Photoshop etc. aswell) or do I partition the drive and have a separate sector for Windows 7 so that I only have to reinstall that?

I'm guessing you can only reformat the whole drive, not just a sector?

Will reformatting and freshly installing full Windows 7 cause any problems with work I've done in any programs while using the Release Candidate as my OS?

As you can tell I know nothing about drive partitioning - it's just a term I've heard used and I need to have a good read up on...so apologies if my question is nonsense!

Cheers

Jon.

 

[kenej2005]

Thanks for the info mate. I appreciate it.

Looks like I have some reading to do. I'll be sure and post back with some more dumb questions as my build proceeds

Cheers

Jon.