[hungtat]

As soon as I got my Dell mini, I installed Windows 7 RC and it runs really well with everything I need on a daily basis. Sadly I know this will be over and I will have to go back to ugly XP sometime in February next year.

Anyone in the same boat as me? Do you know of a way to extend the expiration? I would pay to keep RC running but Microsoft wouldn't do that.

[anguish]

Dumb question, but why would you want to keep using the RC when Windows 7 is going to be released before the end of the year?

[hungtat]

I would rather not have to reload the OS and everything else since it's working as is. Unless the final release has something that I cannot get by regular systems patching, then I guess I have no choice.

[holmes4]

I doubt you will have to "reload" the OS. You should be able to do an upgrade from the RC to the final release. I know Microsoft would prefer that you do a fresh install, but I'd be very surprised if they prevented such upgrades.

What you are asking for is a way to violate the terms of the license you agreed to. If such a thing is possible, we don't talk about it here.

[hungtat]

Last time I read Microsoft does not allow OS upgrade from RC to final release. So even if I'm willing to pay they won't let me. We will see. =)

Thanks all for the reply!

[MoInSTL]

Originally Posted by holmes4

I doubt you will have to "reload" the OS. You should be able to do an upgrade from the RC to the final release. I know Microsoft would prefer that you do a fresh install, but I'd be very surprised if they prevented such upgrades.

What you are asking for is a way to violate the terms of the license you agreed to. If such a thing is possible, we don't talk about it here.

It is possible, but as Steve said, it is in violation of the license.

[bjd223]

There is a built in application that will allow you to extend the trial period upto 3x in Windows Vista. I doubt the removed it in Windows 7. Not only is it not against their TOS/EULA, but they recommend people use it.

Run the cmd prompt as an admin, and then type "slmgr -rearm" without the quotes. You can do this twice, which will give you an overall 3x length in the trial.

[DELLsFan]

February's a long way off, it seems to me. Plenty of time to back up and reinstall everything you had with a retail copy of the OS after it releases.

[Offroadie]

Originally Posted by DELLsFan

Plenty of time to back up and reinstall everything you had with a retail copy of the OS after it releases.

Especially with these tiny drives.

[gfincher]

Originally Posted by bjd223

Run the cmd prompt as an admin, and then type "slmgr -rearm" without the quotes. You can do this twice, which will give you an overall 3x length in the trial.

SLMGR -rearm simply extends the time period before you have to ACTIVATE a copy of Windows 7. That specific command has nothing to do with the "timebomb" period of the Release Candidate. The RC is timebombed to expire on 3/1/2010 (run "winver" to see this expiration date).

So... you have plenty of time to "live" with the RC until you decide to purchase the final release which will be released on October 22, 2009!

gtf