Upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate RTM from Win7 RC1 without a re-install
For the last 2 weeks my laptop has been complaining that the Window7 RC1 OS I currently have installed is about to expire and I should upgrade. I have no problem with making the move to the Win7 RTM version (I’ve had the disk for about a month) it’s been a matter of finding the time to go through the process of a complete re-install of both the OS and all of my applications. Then there is the usual 1 to 2 days of tuning to get the apps and system settings back to the way I like them.
As of today, I only have about 5 days left so I thought I better fix it. I still don’t have time for a fresh install so I thought I would just perform an upgrade now and perform a fresh install when I have a bit more spare time.
After going through the options to get to the upgrade menu – I was bit frustrated to discover that Win7 RTM won’t let you perform an upgrade from RC1. What the…? There is a nice link on the upgrade page that asks if you would like to go onto the internet to find out more about upgrading without loosing your settings – so I clicked that link. It takes you to a nice MS site that talks about upgrading from XP or Vista, but nothing on upgrading from Win7 RC1. Not satisfied with that – I turned to Google for the real answer. Within about 1 minute (Gotta love Google!) I found some clear instructions on how to force Win7 RTM to upgrade from Win7 RC1 on the How-ToGeek website.
I dutifully followed the instructions and Win7 RTM happily started the upgrade process. I realise there is probably a reason Microsoft doesn’t let users upgrade from RC1 to RTM and decided to force a complete re-install – so I only see this as a short term fix – but at least I wont get locked out of my system. Just a couple of warnings before you start – make sure you backup your files and the actual upgrade process takes several hours to complete – make sure you have plenty of time on your hands before pressing the upgrade button.
For me, the upgrade process took about 2 hours but everything came back just the way I left it.
Yikes! Re-install, rebuild! Goodness, I’d a thought the big M would do away with that rigmorole, sorry to hear Merric. Hope your pooterz all get back togetheror again.
Perhaps Steve B needs to spend a little while with the ububtuz, it’s just so slick how they solved the upgrade, such that it’s not even an inconvenience.
@samotage
Hi Sam,
I have to agree, I run Ubuntu on a couple of my machines at home – runs like a dream and very easy to install / upgrade. I’ve always liked the way you can completely replace the kernel, upgrade and install software without ever needing to perform a clean install. Ubuntu is also extremely stable and almost never needs a reboot.
Unfortunately, Windows is a necessary evil that is required for my work laptop.
Merric
I had the same problem and decided it was time to try ubuntu. I played around with Linux a couple of years ago and did not have a good experience. So much better this time liked it so much installed on my other laptop
Hi Jason,
Great to hear from you again. I’m pleased to hear that your having such a great experience with Ubuntu. The installs have improved significantly in the last couple of years and my last install only took about 20 minutes to get the system fully up and running. Got to love that!
Merric