Windows 7 RC to full version - confused!

doug17

doug17

doug17

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Hello everyone.

With the Windows 7 RC about to expire i'm racing to get a full version installed, however after hours of googling i'm confused about a few things i hope you don't mind helping me understand.

Firstly, i have read that it is possible to upgrade from the RC to the full version without losing existing data, is this recommended, or even true? I have also read that if you just install over your current OS that your old files will be saved in a windows.old file, again, is this true and is it easy to recover your files afterwards?

Secondly, what exactly is the difference between the full and upgrade versions you can buy? I have read that you can do a clean install from an upgrade version if you are currently running a genuine windows OS, but again i don't know if its true or not.

My last question is similar to my first, and it's to do with backing up and transfering information. Basiclly, which is the best way to do it? I was hoping that i could install without having to back up everything as i don't own anything suitable for backing up onto (around 180gb of data).

If a clean install is the only way to go, would it be a viable idea to buy another internal HDD and transfer my data onto that, remove it then reinstall it and transfer my data back onto my original drive? Would it be as simple as just copy/pasting files onto a HDD (internal or external) and then back, and would things such as antivirus software continue to work?

Thanks for taking the time to go through this, and apologies for my barrage of questions, this is my first experience of removing/reinstalling an OS!

Thank you in advance,
Doug.
 
It is possible to install the full version of Windows 7 over the RC and keep your data. It was mentioned in a thread yesterday. I will try to find it in a moment. When installing Windows 7 over the top of another installation it should prompt you and ask if you want to keep the data. I have only ever seen this once however, so I couldn't tell you the exact steps. Assuming this works all the old Windows files will be in Windows.old. I couldn't tell you if your programs or personal data is safe.

A full version of Windows can be installed on any computer, even if the HDD is completely empty. An Upgrade version will only work if you already own a current Windows OS. If it does not detect a previous version of Windows during setup then it will not work. However, there is a way around this. Install the OS once without entering the Product Key. Once done, install the OS again, this time with Product Key entered.

You can certainly transfer personal data over to a second HDD and it is as simple as copying and pasting. Unfortunately this will not work with installed programs. Some software may still work after copying to a new Windows installation, but there are no guarantees. Anti-virus software will almost certainly never work correctly if you transfered it between OSs.
 
This link describes how you can "upgrade" from the RC [which is Ultimate btw] to whatever version you plan to install: http://www.unawave.de/installation/downgrade-en.html?lang=EN

I suggest you read the page I linked and make sure you understand everything before you proceed. The method outlined should mean you keep all your data - though I must make absolutely clear you should always attempt to backup your data before any major change in Operating System.
 
Thanks for the link, i've read through it and it looks good. I forgot to mention though that as i am a student i can buy Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit for an affordable price so i'll probobly do that, however it appears to only be an upgrade version and not a full one.

Does the Windows 7 Ultimate RC count as a current Windows OS? If so, i guess i will just need to copy the dvd onto my computer and change cversion.ini? As i will be installing Win7 Ultimate 64bit over Win7 Ultimate 64bit RC.
 
I think you will still need to change the RC, as I think the Retail versions of Windows won't upgrade older builds [it wont just see Ultimate, it will see the older build number 7200 or whatever the RC is].

Once you have done it you should be able to upgrade just fine.
 
Cheers for the reply. :)

From looking at the link i was under the impression that changing the entry in 'cversion.ini' to 'MinClient=7077.0' would allow the retail version to upgrade an older version (build 7100 in my case) unless i've misunderstood what you are saying. :confused:
 
I may be mistaken. I have only ever glanced at the link I provided as I have never needed to do it. If it says 7077 is good enough then follow it to the letter :)
 
I followed the guide and upgraded my RC1 to professional, it got all the way to the end of the upgrade but the OS now has a broken control panel and various errors pop up on boot. So I would say this isn't really a good idea.
 
MS does recommend a clean install since changes will have been made even since the RC. I can understand the urge to preserve your programs and data to save the hassle, but in the end it might be worth just nuking anyway. Especially if you end up with problems like Kotu.

I have done more reinstalls than I care to count, so I have gotten pretty good at getting my OS back the way I like it. Having said that, it shouldn't take anyone that long even if it is their first time.

Get yourself a new HDD [Internal or USB] and copy over all your personal data - music, films, pictures etc. Then create a folder called Software. Now download all the software installers for everything you use and save it to this folder. Everything from Firefox to Windows Live Messenger to Malwarebytes and more. Gather all your installation CD/DVDs for software you can't download.

Once you are positive your data is backed up [because you have tested it!] nuke the old Windows install and install fresh. Now install all your security applications [antivirus etc] then go online and update them and Windows. Once done install all your apps etc.

There is no need to install everything at once either. Just install them as you need them :)

While this way is a lot more work, ultimately you are ensuring a [hopefully] error-free installation of Windows
 
Just to add, as I learned the hard way; don't forget to also backup your bookmarks (or your entire profile folder if using Firefox) as well as anything like personal certificates/keys for secure email etc if you use that. Nowadays I just have everything important backed up to an FTP directory on my hosting account and I sync new files every couple of weeks when I remember to. :)
 
A very good point! If you use IE all your bookmarks are saved in the Favourites folder in My Documents. You can use something like FEBE to backup your Firefox profile and extentions :)
 
Just use Windows Easy transfer. Works perfectly and will transfer all personalised settings.

All you need to do afterwards is install programs again.
 
Just copy files and saved games, do q clean format install and restore your stuff . Upgrading Windows is always messy
 
Thanks for the response guys.

A quick question about a clean install, will an upgrade version of Win7 work for a clean install since i am already running the RC?

I think i'll have to do a clean install and just backup my essential stuff. Reinstalling and downloading games etc again will be a pain, but worth it to have a solid install i guess :)
 
Yes it will work. The only condition of an Upgrade install is the presence of a previous version of Windows. I believe with the tweaks in that link I gave you the setup wont ignore the RC version you have.

The setup for the Upgrade is identical in all other respects, so after a couple of screens you get the option of Upgrade or New installation. Go for the New option. :)
 
I was just about to order an upgrade version of windows 7 ultimate when i had a thought...if after upgrading from the RC to the retail version and there are errors such as Kotu mentioned, will an upgrade version work again to do a clean install?

I'm planning to use the 'upgrade trick' to attempt to keep my files and settings (after backing up any essential stuff) and would like to know if any errors do occour, will an upgrade version still work for a clean install?

I'd very much like to avoid having to backup and reinstall all my apps, but if things go wrong i'd like to keep the option for a clean install if possible!

Thanks in advance :)
 
I'm Gonna jump in on this also.

I have just recieved my Win7 ultimate discs. And am going to use windows eay transfer to back up as well as manually moving files.

What about my Raid array will i lose it if i format and reinstall. The raid is not on the OS drive its on a storage drive.

Thanks
Matt
 
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