Windows 7 RC to RTM

[Leon]

Officially, in-place upgrade is not supported, but there is a workaround similar to Beta-RC. Use it at your own risk

Steps:

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Unpack iso with 7zip.
Chage \sources\cversion.ini MinClient to 7100
Save

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Launch the install. Make sure to have enough space (at least 16gb) to upgrade.

Just tested it on my laptop (64bit RC1 --> Technet RTM).

Note that this workaround may, and likely WILL NOT work with retail "upgrade" editions, as they check for previous Vista/XP installs

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damages that may be the result of following this guide. If in doubt, do a clean install

Leon

 

[13Gigatons]

Thanks for confirming it works Leon.

 

[Raduque]

Do you need a new key for the RTM, or can you use the RC's key?

 

[corkyg]

AFIK, you need a new key - one that you have paid for one way or another. RC keys were free.

 

[zodder]

There's one major caveat, though. RC 7100 is Windows 7 Ultimate. In order for this to work, you'll need to have an RTM Windows 7 Ultimate version. It will not work if you have the Professional version.

 

[flexy]

also know that an update can take loooooooooooonggggggg...but yes, it works.

 

[j0j081]

i don't know who would actually want to do this on a system they'll be using for a while.

 

[corkyg]

I downloaded 7Zip and ran the suggested routine. However, 7Zip used Notepad to SAVE the result, and that went to an archive file, but did not actually change the \sources\cversion.ini and MinClient=7xxx.x value to 7100.00.

Bottom line it did not change the .ISO file. It reads:

[HostBuild]
MinClient=7233.0
MinServer=7100.0

IOW, is the objective to get the MinClient and MinServer to be both 7100.00? (Yes, that is Win7 Ultimate.)

 

[Leon]

Extract the archive, THEN edit cversion.ini to 7100. You can run the setup from hard drive (much faster that way), or recreate / burn the iso with burning program of your choice, if you like.

 

[corkyg]

OK, I extractyed cversion.ini from the ISO file - it was saved into a /TMP/Archive file. Edited it looks like this:

[HostBuild]
MinClient=7100.0
MinServer=7100.0

Now - how do I get that back into the ISO file so it will be incorprated in the resulting "burn" ?

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: j0j081
i don't know who would actually want to do this on a system they'll be using for a while.

Eh, reinstalling Windows has gotten tiresome. I'll avoid it if I can. Worst case, the upgraded install starts acting funky and I need to do a fresh install anyway. Not much to lose in trying it.

Thanks for the info OP. Have you run into any issues yet? If I get around to trying it I'll report back.

 

[corkyg]

OK - disregard my last - I got it all solved - I ran UltraISO and recorded the ISO file onto a bootable thumb drive. That was easy to edit and the result was a very successful upgrade of my RTC installation. I entered my legit key and got a good activation. All smiles here now!

The upgrade install went perfect - no problems or glitches at all - and everything runs.

BTW,for an upgrade, the flash drive need not be bootable. You start it from within 7 RTC and just run setup. All the reboots are self created. Very nice!

 

[flexy]

Originally posted by: j0j081
i don't know who would actually want to do this on a system they'll be using for a while.

me. And i am also dependant on my PC for my business

I dont see anything wrong with it...my PC still runs nicely. I really dont think that a "clean" install would give me an benefit. Its not like a "hack" upgrading from 98 to W7...its still the same OS

 

[KentState]

Just did the upgrade from RC to RTM from disk and it went really fast. No problems at all.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: flexy

Originally posted by: j0j081
i don't know who would actually want to do this on a system they'll be using for a while.

me. And i am also dependant on my PC for my business

I dont see anything wrong with it...my PC still runs nicely. I really dont think that a "clean" install would give me an benefit. Its not like a "hack" upgrading from 98 to W7...its still the same OS

The problem with it is that it could cause problems. People then start asking for help , leaving out the information that they did not do the install like MS suggested. So people spend time trying to solve a problem that could have been avoided.

So if you use this method and start having issues please put that you used the hack.