So What Will You Do When Windows 7 RC Expires?

Given my experiences with Windows 7 so far, I'll probably get a retail copy once the RC expires on June 10, 2010. And if Microsoft takes its time doing that (they'd better not!), I'll honestly get some software to disable the every-two-hours auto-shutdown.

Microsoft actually has a good game going here: they first let people use their "next" OS, so those who enjoy it (like me) are compelled to pony up to maintain the experience.

Anyways, what will you do once the Windows 7 RC expires?

Add a reply

Register or log in to remove.

Keep using Windows XP

Reply to jamesgoddard

End of July w7 should go RTM. I'd expect we'll see retail pricing around the same time. Once I see the rapage, I'll make up my mind.

Reply to croc

I will buy it as soon as it is released.

r_manic is right, MS have played this one brilliantly, and there are many who have been using the RC successfully and will purchase without a second thought.

I am hoping they provide a direct upgrade path from RC to release (without re-install), and perhaps a simple way to pay for the upgrade directly online with a downloaded update. That would only make it easier for all of us.

The RC is a beautiful, stable and modern OS, and it's only really those who are still ignorant or absolutely stuck in their ways (or are actually 7) that continue to cry "OMG XP is teh best, W7 suxxx". Get with change dudes, it feels good.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to MrSiko

I will download it from my Technet subscription and install it when it is released. If anyone has more than a couple of PCs the Technet subscription will pay for itself easily time and time again. If you look around you can probably find a discount coupon for the initial subscription as well.

Reply to Bullheaded67

Both Vista and XP were also available under the same program... from beta to release candidate to retail. XP was a little harder to obtain than Vista or Win 7, but it still was available I believe. MS is going with what works.

------------------------------ Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
Reply to Zoron

(re)Legitimize my current RC copy with the GA one I get through my Technet subscription.

------------------------------ Which Chip? Well, it depends on which set of thieving b@stardz you choose to support: The ones who use insider trading to enrich themselves while running their company into the ground, or the ones who illegally pay vendors to not support the first group.
Reply to Scotteq

Dual boot Vista and XP. Or buy Win 7.

Reply to AKM880

MrSiko wrote :

I will buy it as soon as it is released.

r_manic is right, MS have played this one brilliantly, and there are many who have been using the RC successfully and will purchase without a second thought.

I am hoping they provide a direct upgrade path from RC to release (without re-install), and perhaps a simple way to pay for the upgrade directly online with a downloaded update. That would only make it easier for all of us.

The RC is a beautiful, stable and modern OS, and it's only really those who are still ignorant or absolutely stuck in their ways (or are actually 7) that continue to cry "OMG XP is teh best, W7 suxxx". Get with change dudes, it feels good.

It appears your wish has been granted, here's an extract from an email I received from Microsoft:
"There’s another expiration date you need to keep in mind: Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010, and you’ll need to either upgrade to the final release of Windows 7 or a prior version of Windows before then. (We‘ll send you another reminder as this date approaches.)"
Note the reference to upgrade!

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Jonmor68

Jonmor68 wrote :

It appears your wish has been granted, here's an extract from an email I received from Microsoft:
"There’s another expiration date you need to keep in mind: Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010, and you’ll need to either upgrade to the final release of Windows 7 or a prior version of Windows before then. (We‘ll send you another reminder as this date approaches.)"
Note the reference to upgrade!

That made my day, right there. I've been using Win7 as my main OS since the RC dropped publicly in May on several computers. It'll be nice to upgrade instead of having to do a clean install. I'm a fan of fresh installations, though. There's something refreshing about them.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to madmax808

+1, I prefer to do a fresh install and reformat anyways.

Reply to AKM880

madmax808 wrote :

That made my day, right there. I've been using Win7 as my main OS since the RC dropped publicly in May on several computers. It'll be nice to upgrade instead of having to do a clean install. I'm a fan of fresh installations, though. There's something refreshing about them.

I just realised something else relating to that email, it only says a prior version of Windows, not from Vista, the implication here is that it could be upgraded from XP.
It's generally thought that there would be no upgrade from XP, this could make a lot of XP users happy if it's possible.
I would expect Microsoft to be carefull about their wording, so it's looking good.

Reply to Jonmor68

i'll probably get it through my schools computer science department for free. YAY MSDNAA

Reply to mindless728

I'll buy it retail (upgrade) for $49 or $99 from BestBuy, since I've got a Vista key, when the BestBuy sale starts (or whoever is selling it at this price; so far I've only heard about BestBuy).
http://community.winsupersite.com/ [...] plans.aspx

Reply to bpb

When Microsoft starts shutting down Windows 7 every two hours for its last 2 month of activation, I believe I'll delete it from my system.

So far, I really enjoy all the bells and whistles once I figured out how to install some hardware. The wireless adapter caused the most problems for installation, but once I loaded the Vista drivers it took right off.

I also discovered that aVast! Pro edition slipped right in without any problems and give me the protection I require.

Reply to Junibob

Absolutely plan to purchase a copy. I am loving Win7.
It is the little things for me: Preview of minimized applications being one of them.

Reply to cimtaurus

What expire? I'll just run the RTM (Uncle,friends,etc have MSDN) .

==========
Joking aside, I'll probably buy the OEM Home Premium ASAP to put on most of my rigs,except may be the CAD workstations.

Reply to shadow703793

I'll delete my VM.

Reply to randomizer

Buy it

I built my PC and haven't run anything but RC 7 on it. If I don't buy it - I have to buy another O/S anyway. Hopefully it won't cost too much

Reply to JessieJ

Like I said, I'll probably buy it. What is this GA through Technet thing I hear about? Will it make the "upgrade" process seamless? *thinking*

Message quoted 1 times

r_manic wrote :

Like I said, I'll probably buy it. What is this GA through Technet thing I hear about? Will it make the "upgrade" process seamless? *thinking*

For those who have paid for a full Technet or MSDN subscription, the official bits are normally available to you for your own testing/usage. Has nothing to do with making the transition somehow seamless. Just means they're expected to be there should subscribers choose to partake.

Message edited by Scotteq on 06-16-2009 at 08:30:42 PM

------------------------------ Which Chip? Well, it depends on which set of thieving b@stardz you choose to support: The ones who use insider trading to enrich themselves while running their company into the ground, or the ones who illegally pay vendors to not support the first group.
Reply to Scotteq

Just to get this crystal clear are you saying that if you have a technet subscription then MS will release the new OS to you for free?
I knew it gave preferance to Betas etc before everyone else but seriously Free OS's ? as many as you want ? well from what Bullheaded67
said about it paying for itself if you have more than a couple of PC's ?

Mactronix

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to mactronix

mactronix wrote :

Just to get this crystal clear are you saying that if you have a technet subscription then MS will release the new OS to you for free?

Short answer: Yes. And before everyone else gets it, too.

Long Answer:

mactronix wrote :

Just to get this crystal clear are you saying that if you have a technet subscription then MS will release the new OS to you for free?
I knew it gave preferance to Betas etc before everyone else but seriously Free OS's ? as many as you want ? well from what Bullheaded67
said about it paying for itself if you have more than a couple of PC's ?

Mactronix

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us [...] 88692.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb403698.aspx

Quote :

Get Microsoft downloads and updates for Microsoft products and, with Technet Plus, get unlimited download access to full version software with no time limits.

Plus documentation, free online Training courses, and message boards checked by people who really do know what they're talking about. Currently available client side Win 7 RC, Vista SP2, Server 2008, XP SP3, XP SP2, and XP Remote Desktop Connection. The "Latest Picks" on the site are: Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate, WIndows 7 RC, and Exchange Server 2010 Beta. The "Fine Print" being that your licences are for your testing/usage only - you can't resell - and are contingent upon maintaining your subscription. Though I've never seen/heard of MSFT pulling the plug on an otherwise legal subscriber's home machines cos they skipped their annual...

For a single PC, you're clearly better off buying a retail or OEM copy. Same for a couple of home machines. But as pointed out, the more computers you have and the more you like to play with the different software, the more and more a full subscription is worth it. Personally, I only have a couple machines at home. So dollar wise my situation is borderline whether I'm saving anything or not - leaning towards "not". It's the access to online docs, free training courses, and the ability to play with the stuff that I'm paying for. Like - Deciding to find out of Randall Kennedy is "right" about server 2008 being a better client than Vista** - It only cost me the effort of doing it.

Scott

**The answer to that one is "Yes, if you only want a bare bones installation for corporate usage and don't mind the work of stripping features yourself. For Home users, you really really should stick with Vista because you'd have to add back the multimedia/gaming stuff anyhow. So you're doing a LOT more work to run yourself in circles in order to get to where you started. *Big* waste of time.

Message edited by Scotteq on 06-18-2009 at 08:29:35 PM

------------------------------ Which Chip? Well, it depends on which set of thieving b@stardz you choose to support: The ones who use insider trading to enrich themselves while running their company into the ground, or the ones who illegally pay vendors to not support the first group.
Reply to Scotteq

I'll probably move on to the retail version after it comes out. It's snappier than Vista and I get MUCH less hard drive activity. Vista tended to thrash my hard drive even with SuperFetch turned off, while it's quiet under Windows 7 even with it turned on. Not to mention I've gotten used to the new features of Windows 7 and I can't see myself going back to Vista.

That said, I still have Vista dual-booted in case all else fails, so I suppose sticking with Vista is plan B.

Reply to Lippy13

ScottEQ thanks for your reply regarding Technet subscriptions, that was eloquently stated. At home I have 5 PCs, 4 Laptops and 2 servers. The technet subscription paid for itself the moment I downloaded Windows 2008 R2.

Reply to Bullheaded67

Is anyone able to confirm that the Upgrade pricing released today will allow one to upgrade from the W7 RC? Or will I need to have my Vista media and/or Vista key?

Thanks,
K

Reply to kphed

You can't "upgrade" beta or pre-production licences.

------------------------------ Which Chip? Well, it depends on which set of thieving b@stardz you choose to support: The ones who use insider trading to enrich themselves while running their company into the ground, or the ones who illegally pay vendors to not support the first group.
Reply to Scotteq

Focus On

So What Will You Do When Windows 7 RC Expires?

Forum Windows 7 : So What Will You Do When Windows 7 RC Expires?