Upgrade Windows 7 RC to full version

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Is it possible to upgrade to the real version if you are currently running windows 7 RC? Or any other trial version.  Do you want to know what happens before or after the upgrade?   There is no need to take a risk in buying the upgrade fearing that it may not work or getting a full version wondering if it will get through.

You would be mistaken for thinking that Windows Vista is the lastest Windows OS on offer from Microsoft. In fact the latest version of windows 7 is due to be released on 22nd oct 2009.  This is in addition to the several trial versions of  windows 7  already out there  being tested. The  3 versions  already  released as of today are Windows 7 beta, Windows 7 Release Candidate and Windows 7 RTM [ Released To Manufacturer].

Those who have already tried and installed the RC version must have been very impressed with its overall performance.  If you have it currently running in your system, the most important question that is nagging in your mind now, is will I be able to upgrade with this free version ?

Can I upgrade from windows 7 RC to the final version of windows 7 ?

Yes you can, but you must back up all the data before you proceed, as it will do a clean installation and not an upgrade over what you have and retaining all your files and installed programs.

For those who have registered for the RC trial, you  are given a personal registration key.  Do not be too happy yet, as your key is only one of the 15 sets of keys that are shared amongst the world.  If you happen to lose your key, you can always login to the windows download page again and they will generate a key for you.  Or you can just pick up from here .

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Also, you will need to strickly ahere to the upgrade path, getting a wrong upgrade pack for the different vista version will result in a failure in the upgrading progress.

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Anyway, even if you do not have the windows RC or the correct windows version , you can also perform an upgrade using just the upgrade CD .

Yes, you can install a full OS with just an upgrade pack.

As the DVD is bootable, you can use this tip to install windows with an upgrade pack, which is a lot cheaper than buying the full version.

1) Boot the DVD off the drive as you would with any bootable CD

Do the installation of the windows as you would , however, do not enter Product Key, leave this field blank, deselect the option titled “Automatically activate Windows when I’m online,” and then click Next.  Whenever, it asks you to key in the CD key, say no.  Once you have reached a point where it asks you to choose between upgrade or custom.  Select custom install.  The installation will complete and you will have a running windows 7 with a 30 day activation limit.  Now if you attempt to enter your CD key for your upgrade version, it will fail, as it is currently running a full clean install instead.

2) Pop in the same upgrade CD again

An autorun menu will come up and you will choose upgrade this time round.  It will go through the same installation again, but this time round you will end up going through the “upgrade” procedure, which fufils the requirements of buying an upgrade pack in the first place.  Now you can activate your windows using the CD key on the upgrade box and you have a full activated windows 7 simply by buying one upgrade.

Now is that amazing or what.  Enjoy…~

This  installation video of a hp upgrade package to prove that the upgrade pack works