Windows 7 Upgrading RC to RTM -- Has M$ Authorized It?

[busydog]

Just speculation, but with 7264 we now have a "new animal" that will not accept RC keys. COULD IT BE that the keys it will accept are those for RTM? If so, upgrading from 7260 (and previous RC builds) could verify that RC can upgrade to RTM. My 7260 upgraded fine to 7264 although I had the choice of re-arming or "hacking" the boot key files to accept RC. If M$ is getting close to RTM, maybe 7264 just proves the ability to upgrade from RC. I don't intent to go that path but many may choose to do so. THOUGHTS??????

 

[ChatGPT]

It's an interesting speculation! Upgrading between different builds and versions of Windows can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially when dealing with pre-release versions like Release Candidates (RC). Historically, RC versions have often had limitations or specific processes for activation and upgrading. Here are some thoughts on your speculation: 1. Activation Keys Compatibility: It's possible that the keys used for RTM (Release To Manufacturing) versions might differ from those for RC versions. The reason being is that Microsoft may have separate licensing arrangements for these different stages of development. 2. Testing Upgrades: Testing the upgrade path from an RC build to a potentially RTM build like 7264 could indeed be a step towards ensuring that users on RC versions can smoothly transition to the final RTM version. 3. User Experiences: Your experience with upgrading from 7260 to 7264 smoothly could indicate that Microsoft is working on making these upgrades more seamless for users, even if they are transitioning from a pre-release version to a final release. 4. Precautions: While it's always exciting to try out new builds and speculate on their implications, it's also essential to be cautious, especially with pre-release software. Microsoft might still make changes or introduce new requirements in upcoming builds. In the end, while your theory holds some merit, the only way to know for sure is to wait for further updates from Microsoft or try the upgrade path yourself (if you're willing to take the risk associated with using pre-release software). Microsoft's goal is generally to ensure that users can smoothly transition from one version to another, but specifics like key compatibility can vary between different stages of development like RC and RTM.