W7 full release query

But, what about those people that have the beta cracked (and activated) with no expire date...
Will they be able to upgrade to the retail version?
The retail version will allow upgrade from XP and Vista (will it block the betas?)

No because first off the upgrade installer will detect that the program is illegally installed on the machine still and has been cracked. It will not allow it to upgrade. And no it is the same thing you either have to have VISTA or XP installed or their is no chance that it will upgrade.

I found this on M/S's own website: -
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Removing the Beta
The Windows 7 Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date. We recommend doing a custom (clean) installation.
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The way I interprete this is there will be means to contunually upgrade until the final release comes out

Hi Guys -- I've posted elsewhere that you can upgrade quite easily from XP===>W7 on another post. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to purchase a copy of VISTA but you'll need access to a copy (Borrow one or - get one from -- see attachment).

I don't normally condone these sources but you aren't actually going to run the OS on your computer as a working OS then slightly different considerations apply.;

Also I really do think MS should providfe a direct XP==>W7 upgrade path -- a compatability check built in like VISTA's will eliminate those programs that really WON'T work.

However I'll explain again how to do it.

Windows XP HOME ==> W7

1) Run VISTA compatability check -- and uninstall anything it says WON'T RUN as you won't be able to uninstall these later. You'll get errors wrong OS / Can't execute on this OS etc etc.

2) Upgrade to VISTA Ultimate 32 Bit or VISTA HOME PREMIUM 32 Bit.

DO NOT ENTER A SERIAL NUMBER. REPEAT DO NOT ENTER A SERIAL NUMBER.

I prefer going via the ULTIMATE package if you can get it but HOME PREMIUM will do.

3) Run Windows Update (you will need at least SP1.)

4) Run Upgrade to W7 Will take around 2 - 3 hours -- but hey presto everything will work (all your old apps etc etc). Those that absolutely won't run you'll have found out in step 1). A Virtual Machine is the only solution if you MUST have these apps and want W7.

XP PRO===>W7. AS above but you CAN ONLY USE VISTA ULTIMATE 32 Bit.

The W7 Upgrade doesn't actually check for VISTA Windows Activation so even upgrading via an OEM copy will work.

Please be aware however that if you use an OEM copy of VISTA you'll need to complete the upgrade within 3 days as windows will expect to be activated within 3 days rather than 30. (And being an OEM copy - if it's already been used on another machine activation will be refused in any case).

Once you've upgraded to W7 then normal activation works fine.

Some people prefer a Clean install -- however I've done 2 or 3 upogrades from XP without any problems whatsoever -- the Clean upgrade gave me a few problems when re-installing older programs and hardware - apart from the sheer hassle of finding serial numbers and fixes I'd applied after the original program installs.

Cheers
jimbo