Windows 7 Going from Windows 7 RC to Retail

[Vertigo-1]

Around June or July I built a new computer and decided to go with the Windows 7 64-bit RC after hearing really good things about it. I'm getting the retail full version of Windows 7 Pro for xmas and was wondering how to go about going from RC to Retail. Am I going to have to do a clean reinstall? (losing all my installed programs/settings/etc.)? Or is there a way I can just insert a serial key that comes with the retail copy and it will "activate" my RC to retail so to speak? Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated, because I (stupidly) didn't really think ahead when I decided to go with the RC and am worried that I screwed myself in having to totally redo my computer after finally getting things how I want them...

 

[Joe S]

Personally I'd do a clean install. Upgrades have a habit of leaving junk behind that cause problems. I don't think you can do a simple upgrade from RC there is some method if you want to search for it.
Joe

 

[Super Sarge]

Around June or July I built a new computer and decided to go with the Windows 7 64-bit RC after hearing really good things about it. I'm getting the retail full version of Windows 7 Pro for xmas and was wondering how to go about going from RC to Retail. Am I going to have to do a clean reinstall? (losing all my installed programs/settings/etc.)? Or is there a way I can just insert a serial key that comes with the retail copy and it will "activate" my RC to retail so to speak? Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated, because I (stupidly) didn't really think ahead when I decided to go with the RC and am worried that I screwed myself in having to totally redo my computer after finally getting things how I want them...

I believe you are going to have to do a clean complete install because there are some items that may or may not be on on the retail version. Remember the RC1 was just a beta.

 

[Vertigo-1]

Ugh I was afraid of that. I should have done my homework before making assumptions.

Edit: Back when I installed W7 RC after building my computer I bought a Norton Antivirus subscription (1 PC limit) online. If I switch to the retail W7 I'm guessing that will totally waste my Norton subscription? Or will the activation key I have under my Norton account let me "reactivate" it?

 

[Joe S]

You should be able to reactivate it. I think Norton is junk and got disgusted and dumped it on my Vista before it expired. I use Avast free antivirus and Comodo firewall .
Joe

 

[Super Sarge]

I use the Microsoft zzsecurity essintilas for my AV it is also free, I also use Spyware Blaster, Super Anti Spyware, and Maleware Bytes

 

[tblount]

You absolutely cannot do an in-place conversion of RC > GA (Retail).!"

Well you can, " Although Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 RTM in-place upgrade is not supported officially, you can upgrade from Windows 7 RC to RTM with a simple trick."

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-upgrade-windows-7-rc-to-rtm/