I'm not sure why everyone is posting news on this, because it makes plenty of sense.

They want to test the upgrade process, and most of the userbase won't be upgrading from Win7.

+1 to thedipper there.

1.) It's not really newsworthy and seems more like someone submitted this article just to meet a deadline or a quota. *snicker*
2.) Beta -> RC will be a rare occasion. Microsoft has millions and millions of customers, and maybe 0.000001% are running the beta. Yeah, I totally made that number up. But you know what I mean, guys.

i agree, doing a full install is the way to go. doing an upgrade can result it problems. i'm doing a full install. i know no one cares and no one wants to hear about it. ;-)

We -know- Win7-to-Win7 upgrades work just fine, personally I've done 5-6 of them.

Additionally, users CAN change data in a .ini to allow the RC to upgrade from the beta versions.

Makes sense, this is why I generally tell people not to run pre-release OS as their primary OS.

deltatux

True, pre-production versions should always be treated this way. But, I'm sure some Linux- and Mac-ophiles will use this as yet another reason to bash Microsoft anyways.

Yeah I'm just going to go from 7000 to RC.

Trolling doesn't make the other trolls stay away. The same methods for upgrade testing are used by most Linux pre-release testers. Probably applies to OS X testers as well.

Wait, can you upgrade from 7000 straight to RC without reinstall, just a upgrade?

Everyone who have tried Windows 7 beta on their machine should already know to reinstalled the Full Windows 7 version ya think?

when's the rc coming out again?

They forgot about some people... the xp-7.
I ain't got no legit vista to go to, and the only reason for me to use XP is for a dual boot on the extremely rare programs that won't run on 7.

I understand, but personally they'll see another 7000-7070+ soon.

i mean upgrading to rc without having to wipe your hard drive. I know how to reinstall windows 7, i want to get rc without having to reinstall all my programs and adding all my files again

It is easy. Microsoft even gives you directions on how to upgrade from one beta to the next. I could care less about testing the upgrade process. Waste of my time. I have all the software on that needs to be tested I see no point in deleting everything, install Vista, and then upgrading to Windows 7. Waste of my time.

thank you, do you know where i can see that guide? because i havent heard or seen it.

What programs dont work on windows 7 that work on xp?? Ive had everything work in compatibility mode. All the games, websites and everything.

Then you should not be a Beta Tester.

There are not as many people still using Vista to do the test the full transition >.>

So... Something is only news, when it doesn't make sense? Did you really think that comment through?

So, in other words: Windows 7 (Vistav2) has serious stability issues and they want to manipulate the tech news perception in to thinking that Microsoft cares about beta users.

Our database program at work doesn't run on Windows 7. I even get an error message that says there is a known issue and it won't work when I started the install. What's funny is we are running MICROSOFT Navision.

My problem is that I'm using Vista 32-bit and testing Windows 7 beta 64-bit. No upgrade path there, so I've got a dual boot option.

The problem is, I have two partitions on a single drive, and I made the mistake of installing Windows 7 on my second partition (that already had some stuff on it) instead of on a separate drive. Now I have to move my data to a second physical hard drive, uninstall Windows 7 beta, move the data back to the partition, then reinstall the RC to another drive. Ok so I could keep the data on the separate drive and install the RC to the secondary partition to save a step, but it's still quite a bit of trouble.

Then again, it's my own stupidity that got me in this situation in the first place.

Well, that's a fairly old version. NAV Dynamics (Navision's replacement)has been around for a few years now. I'm sure the error mentioned that updating the program will fix the problem? Pretty good deals going on from what I hear: http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/purchase/offers.mspx

Really...I'm sure there are plenty of legacy Microsoft programs that don't work on Windows 7. NAV Dynamics works with Vista, though, and it should work fine with Windows 7.

That's fine with me. I'll just do a full install. Although I am just worried about the price of this OS when it IS released.

I've never actually upgraded an OS before anyhow. Heck I don't even like to upgrade software. I always try to find a full installer even if I've purchased the upgrade for a cheaper price.

I don't understand how this could be a problem. Users of a Beta OS should consider themselves lucky the Beta didn't brick their computer, anything else is just a plus.

Personally, I wouldn't use a Beta Microsoft OS because I wouldn't want to give them the free testing. I mean, I don't get to keep the Beta. When they release the final OS, they expect me to pay. Also why I don't buy an OS before the first service pack. Like I'm going to PAY for an OS and THEN find their problems for them. However Win7 seems to be on a much better development cycle, might be worth it (compared to the first Vista release).

Right. Should not be a beta tester. My job is to make sure my clients can move their programs and files from Windows XP to Windows 7 without issue. I test their software in Windows 7 and give them a green light when everything works. When the green light is given a team will back up all the data from the machines, wipe their hard drives, do a CLEAN INSTALL of Windows 7, re-install all necessary programs, and transfer pertinent files. There will be no upgrading from Vista so why in the world should I test that process? Oh believe me, I'll test the fresh install process... when I get a retail copy of the disc.

I really have to laugh at someone telling me I shouldn't be a beta tester when more than likely half of the people posting in this article have no real reason to test they just wanted a look at Windows 7.

So please, spare me.

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2 [...] ience.aspx

Scroll down until you see the 7 steps. It is simple just involves modifying a small text file. Won't be a big deal at all... unless you are these glorified testers here who feel wholly obligated to oblige and test the upgrade process.

I am sorry, you have misunderstood me. I was not trying to offend you. I personally have to deal with same issues like you and I really can appreciate your frustration. The definitions of all levels of testing has been blurred quite a bit here. My understanding is:
1. Alpha releases used to finalize the new feature set.
2. Beta releases is to ensure that all features are working correctly.
3. RC are to test and get 3th party software ready for the release.
So what I was thinking that your job fits better to be RC tester. Like my self. I have no time to be a bate tester either.
I wish you best,
SAL-e

"Right. Should not be a beta tester. My job is to make sure my clients can move their programs and files from Windows XP to Windows 7 without issue. I test their software in Windows 7 and give them a green light when everything works. When the green light is given a team will back up all the data from the machines, wipe their hard drives, do a CLEAN INSTALL of Windows 7, re-install all necessary programs, and transfer pertinent files. There will be no upgrading from Vista so why in the world should I test that process? Oh believe me, I'll test the fresh install process... when I get a retail copy of the disc.

I really have to laugh at someone telling me I shouldn't be a beta tester when more than likely half of the people posting in this article have no real reason to test they just wanted a look at Windows 7.

So please, spare me."

My opinion: Wow, please stop bashing everybody on here who got the beta to simply try it out and not do hardcore testing of hundreds of programs on it. I am not a professional tester but I am a student and I let quite a few of my friends know that windows 7 is amazing. So, in helping Microsoft by spreading the good word about windows 7, what harm am I doing? Like I said, I don't do hardcore testing with it, but when my programs have issues, I do send microsoft the relevant information.

I spent over 1000 hours of my personal time in the official beta test program for Vista. I filed over 500 seperate bug reports. And what did I get for my efforts? Zip. Not even an acknowledgement of any bug reports, certainly no gratis copy of Vista...

I tested the publicly released version of Win7 long enough to satisfy my curiosity...

I think that I am going to install the RC as an upgrade to the Beta and then uninstall it, rollback to Vista, then roll back even further to Windows ME. So everyone else can just suck it.