Joined: Wed 09-16-2009 6:52AM Posts: 608 Location: in your 802.11g stealing your internetz
Source: Off Campus
Quote:
It’s time to upgrade from the Windows 7 Release Candidate
While most people who tested Windows 7 have now moved to the final version, some are still running the Release Candidate. If you haven’t moved yet, it’s time to replace the RC.
Starting on March 1, 2010 your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Your work will not be saved during the shutdown.
The Windows 7 RC will fully expire on June 1, 2010. Your PC running the Windows 7 RC will continue shutting down every two hours and your files won’t be saved during shutdown. In addition, your wallpaper will change to a solid black background with a persistent message on your desktop. You’ll also get periodic notifications that Windows isn’t genuine. That means your PC may no longer be able to obtain optional updates or downloads requiring genuine Windows validation.
To avoid interruption, please reinstall a prior version of Windows or move to Windows 7. In either case, you’ll need to do a custom (clean) install to replace the RC. As with any clean installation, you’ll need to back up your data then reinstall your applications and restore the data. For more details about replacing the RC, see the Knowledge Base article KB 971767. For more information, visit the Window 7 Forum.
Thanks again for helping us test Windows 7.
The Windows 7 Team
strange way of showing thankfulness... is being able to legally upgrade to retail without reinstalling really that much to ask?
Joined: Fri 09-14-2007 3:47PM Posts: 437 Location: Just behind your left shoulder
Source: Off Campus
Not sure what you expected... it was a beta/"Release Candidate". It was in no way meant to become your primary OS.
Now that they've finished their beta testing and released the final version of their product, they want to do everything they can to discourage the continued use of the beta release that was only meant to collect data through the practical use of beta testers not limited to Microsoft's facility. What seems strange about that?
zeroluck wrote:
is being able to legally upgrade to retail without reinstalling really that much to ask?
While I agree that this might be convenient for some, again you're talking about going from a beta release to the final product. The purpose/intent of the two are quite different, so no, it really doesn't bother me that they don't provide a direct upgrade path. For those out there who used the beta release as their primary OS, or got too comfortable with it and forgot that they were simply testing a product and giving Microsoft a chance to work out the bugs of an OS before it hit the shelves, I'm glad that they'll lose their data and not be able to upgrade. Maybe they'll remember what a "release candidate" is the next time they go to install and use one.
Joined: Wed 09-16-2009 6:52AM Posts: 608 Location: in your 802.11g stealing your internetz
Source: Off Campus
I was a beta tester for windows XP 64 bit edition in 2003, and when the beta ended, I put in a legit CD key for it and it continued to work for 4 happy, long, functional years.
Joined: Mon 09-24-2007 2:20PM Posts: 231 Location: Off Campus
Source: Fidelity
They told everyone this when they released the public betas, that you would not be able to upgrade it to the final version when Windows 7 was released. This was the case for Vista betas and RCs too. Why should Microsoft waste time making sure that a select few can upgrade from a pre-release product to the final version. That would require testing and fixing issues with upgrading a non-finished product. In the end, this would cause more issues and work for Microsoft.
I ran the beta and RC for Windows 7 and did a fresh install when I got it. I knew full well that it would expire and that I would have to reinstall an OS at some point. Just like now I'm running the Office 2010 beta and know that I will have to eventually buy 2010 or go back to the 2007 copy I got a few years ago for $60 from Microsoft (hoping they do this offer for 2010)
They told everyone this when they released the public betas, that you would not be able to upgrade it to the final version when Windows 7 was released. This was the case for Vista betas and RCs too. Why should Microsoft waste time making sure that a select few can upgrade from a pre-release product to the final version. That would require testing and fixing issues with upgrading a non-finished product. In the end, this would cause more issues and work for Microsoft.
I ran the beta and RC for Windows 7 and did a fresh install when I got it. I knew full well that it would expire and that I would have to reinstall an OS at some point. Just like now I'm running the Office 2010 beta and know that I will have to eventually buy 2010 or go back to the 2007 copy I got a few years ago for $60 from Microsoft (hoping they do this offer for 2010)
Agreed. Now zero, you knew what you were getting into. It's a beta release and they told you what was up. Stop your bitching and install the legit version... unless you don't have one, in which case quit bitching about something that doesn't even apply.
Oh and on Office 2010... does anyone else find the beta slow and buggy as hell? I get that its beta, but usually microsoft's betas are just a little more polished than this seems to be.
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