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    windows 7 beta what to do when expired

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by rivet, Apr 20, 2009.

  1. rivet

    rivet Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am very interested to install windows 7 beta on my main desktop and laptop, but always hesitant to. The main reason is, after I install the OS, I have to install a lot of software and setup everything, but at the time when the beta expired, I mean on August right? What do people do when the beta version expires? What will MS do, do they lock the OS so I can't use it any more. I don't want to be forced to back up everything and reinstall a new OS because this one is expired?

    Any opionions?
     
    rivet, Apr 20, 2009
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  2. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    The newer beta versions expire in March of 2010 so you have plenty of time. And I'm sure that the future RC and RTM builds will have an even later expiration date so if you're so inclined, you can keep running those builds even after the official release of Windows 7.
     
    Slaughterhouse, Apr 20, 2009
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    MSFT has already said that the betas and RC releases will NOT be upgradeable to the release version. You'll have to copy off your data/files and install the release version from scratch (meaning a full format of your hard drive).
     
    newsposter, Apr 20, 2009
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  4. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    Correct. What I was saying is that you can keep running the beta builds even after the official release occurs because many of them don't expire till March of 2010 and Windows 7 will be out long before then.
     
    Slaughterhouse, Apr 20, 2009
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  5. Ayle

    Ayle Trailblazer

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    Ayle, Apr 20, 2009
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  6. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    What that entry says is that the windows transfer wizard will capture user setting and files. You are still going to have to go with a disk scrub and reinstall.
     
    newsposter, Apr 20, 2009
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  7. maluskeeter

    maluskeeter Notebook Consultant

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    I have build 7057, when will that expire?
     
    maluskeeter, Apr 22, 2009
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  8. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    look at the about screen in computer properties.
     
    newsposter, Apr 22, 2009
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  9. Full-English

    Full-English Notebook Deity

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    Click Start, type winver in the search. Click winver, this will tell you. The picture on the right (another 7057) says 1st March 2010.

    [​IMG]

    So plenty of time left yet!!!!
     
    Full-English, Apr 23, 2009
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  10. maluskeeter

    maluskeeter Notebook Consultant

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    what will happen when it expires? will it not allow me to use anymore and just forbid me, lol?
     
    maluskeeter, Apr 23, 2009
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  11. Full-English

    Full-English Notebook Deity

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    It will blow up the instant you turn it on!!!! :)

    It'll just stop working. Then you will have to install either a different version of 7, or another OS.
     
    Full-English, Apr 23, 2009
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  12. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I will lock itself just like vista locks itself after 30(or 90?) days.
     
    Luke1708, Apr 28, 2009
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  13. revvo

    revvo Notebook Geek

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    Am I the only 1 who can't find the expiration date anywhere? :confused: I already knew it expired in July, but I cant find it anywhere.
     
    revvo, Apr 28, 2009
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  14. Full-English

    Full-English Notebook Deity

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    winkey+R then type winver, enter.
     
    Full-English, Apr 28, 2009
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  15. rivet

    rivet Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a new laptop coming, do you guys think it is worth to install the windows 7 RC instead of a windows vista ultimate (I have a legit copy)?
     
    rivet, Apr 29, 2009
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  16. Evoss-X

    Evoss-X Notebook Deity

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    what to do when expired ?? :)
    start crying and squeal whyyyyyyy :D
     
    Evoss-X, Apr 30, 2009
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  17. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

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    Its a big pain then to remove the beta/RC and reinstall all your programs, get everything configured just as you like it, etc. I wish there was an easier way to do that. :(
     
    Rahul, Apr 30, 2009
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  18. Evoss-X

    Evoss-X Notebook Deity

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    yeah that's true some save file it requires ..
    after clean install submit save file to make it like before :D
     
    Evoss-X, Apr 30, 2009
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  19. Fountainhead

    Fountainhead Notebook Deity

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    Heh. I kind of like rebuilding my machines. I mean, everyone likes the result of a fresh install, but I actually enjoy the process of doing it. Then again my wife enjoys repainting rooms that don't need repainted, so obviously we all get our jollies in different ways. :rolleyes:
     
    Fountainhead, May 1, 2009
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  20. slayerfaith1982

    slayerfaith1982 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yea w/ the RC coming out this week, and not expiring til June 2010, I'm tempted to put it on my only laptop (which now runs vista premium 64 bit) but i'm just worried about when it expires or driver issues and backing up like 10gb of music and also lots of movies and programs etc. That's a lot of dvds to burn
     
    slayerfaith1982, May 1, 2009
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  21. Fountainhead

    Fountainhead Notebook Deity

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    Why not just get an external USB drive for that purpose? I'm not trying to spend your money or anything but they're not that expensive and [lecture on] you ought to be backing your stuff up routinely anyway. [/lecture off]

    Burning huge amounts of data to DVD's seems like a lot of wasted effort. JMHO.
     
    Fountainhead, May 1, 2009
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  22. slayerfaith1982

    slayerfaith1982 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yea I know i should get one of those but i dunno even really how to go about backing up data. I mean i get copying over personal files like music and movies and photos. But as for programs, or subscription zune music (what most my music is), and other files/drives, I'm not certain exactly the most efficient way to do it. Do you even back up subscription music? lol I think that'd mess it up or something due to it's drm

    But yea i know i should get one, what do they run? $80?
     
    slayerfaith1982, May 1, 2009
    #22