If you are a techy or at least you were keeping an eye on Windows 7 release updates then it is the time you know that the Beta expired, how do i know that? oh well, it will shut yoru computer down every two hours, better than not running at all if you ask me.
To avoid this, i went to microsoft website where they offer the Windows 7 download as usual (with the product key), i downloaded the RELEASE CANDIDATE or what is known online as the RC. Now, on torrent websites there is even an RTM (Release to Manufacturer) copy, but i wont rely on that, not yet.
How to upgrade from Beta to RC?
Normally, Microsoft will ask you to do a clean install, but i won’t bother backing my data up and installing a million software and drivers again! so i was digging around for an answer.
I downloaded the ISO (Disk image) from Microsoft – 2.34 gb, not small! when you shut down every two hours!
Extracted the ISO (using whatever program you prefer for that) to a director, i modified one INI file according to nirmaltv.com (http://www.nirmaltv.com/2009/05/02/how-to-upgrade-from-windows-7-beta-to-rc-build/) and believe me (if you are too decent) this is not messing around with the installation files, you are just letting the RC know that it is on the same BUILD level as the Beta … So you can upgrade! remember we downloaded directlt from Microsoft and not a torrent!
Then i copied the whole extracted directory to a DVD-RW (in case things went loco then i could burn the whole thing on the DVD again and again), ran the setup and here i am using the WINDOWS 7 RC!
Truth is, i like Windows 7, it is reliable and fast! my Adobe Programs like it as well, it was bugging me about Adobe Encore in the installation so i got to go check if it deleted it or something.
Visually, it is relaxed and hip, it is a step up from Weird Vista and a whole leap away from XP (although it is a stable OS but it is boring).
You got to give it to the big boys! they are doing a good job in this Windows Release! waiting for the whole thing next year, for the time being, i will be testing Windows 7! Microsoft is sure cutting off good expenses on QA this time, they make the people the QA, good idea!
