(Unofficial) Windows 7 RC Build Out

[Nick]

Official Download: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this the official release? Yes. MSDN and TechNet subscribers were given access to the final Windows 7 RC build on April 30th. Clicking "Details" next to the two "Windows 7 Ultimate RC" entries in the release list here (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=36:350) and comparing the SHA1 hashes to those I have listed below confirm the releases are identical.

Is this illegal to download? No. You are free to download and install this build for the purpose of testing the software. It is not final, it is not bug-free, and it will automatically send some anonymous data (http://gizmodo.com/5130902/giz-explains-the-windows-7-fine-print) to Microsoft for the purpose of reporting bugs and determining how features are used. You must have a Microsoft supplied Windows 7 Beta key, you can get one here (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx) if you do not have one; alternately, you can install without a key and use the OS for only 30 days.

What's different from the official Windows 7 Beta? You can read a partial list here (http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/13/a-few-more-changes-from-beta-to-rc.aspx) on the Engineering 7 blog.

What's different from 7077? Only bug fixes. No new features or functionality, just improvement in overall quality.

Can I upgrade from 7077 or another build? It is possible (http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/07/delivering-a-quality-upgrade-experience.aspx) but not recommended. You should always do fresh installs with any OS.

Can I install this on my Mac? Yes, just use the Vista drivers and it will work fine.

How long can I use this pre-release OS? You can use this build until June 30, 2010 if you enter a key and activate.

Do I have to burn a DVD to install? No. You can install Windows 7 from a bootable USB drive. Any USB storage device over 4GB will work. Follow this guide. (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to try Windows 7 out? Go download it.

Seems build 7100 (aka the RC build) has made its rounds today. If you have a Windows 7 Beta key, it will activate this build just fine; if you don't, then you have 30 days to try Windows 7 before you're forced to activate.

Microsoft should be releasing the official RC (which will be this same build as this was given out to Gold partners two days ago) on May 5th. You should also be able to grab a fresh key then as well, so it is well within the 30 day activation window.

Official Download: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx
Torrent: x64 Build (http://www.mininova.org/tor/2521354) | x86 Build (http://www.mininova.org/tor/2521167)
Newsgroups: x64 Build (http://www.newzbin.com/browse/post/4963430/) | x86 Build (http://www.newzbin.com/browse/post/4963377/)

Hash for untouched x86 ISO: SHA1: 7D1F486CA569EFFFFB719CFB48355BB7BF499712
Hash for untouched x64 ISO: SHA1: FC867FE1AB2E0A9796F9E4D155B44EA6998F4874
Hash calculation tool: HashCalc (http://www.slavasoft.com/hashcalc/)

Enjoy.

Nick

[AAA]

Been downloading for 2 hours now and I'm down to my last 30 minutes. I"m curious as to what the changes/improvements are in this build...

[Heathen]

Whats the changes between this an 7077?
Can I upgrade from 7077 to the RC?

[sdavis117]

Hopefully it will work perfectly now. Doesn't matter though, I still probably should reformat my drive. Some program somewhere is giving me a hard time.

All I need to do is find that dang F-Secure key that I have.

[Nick]

I've updated the original post with answers to the questions so far.

Nick

[Cortexian]

I'm using 7077 right now, so I'm not going to bother upgrading until the official RC comes out.

[Nick]

I'm using 7077 right now, so I'm not going to bother upgrading until the official RC comes out.
These are the official RC bits, they just went out to Gold partners early.

Nick

[Cortexian]

A lot of stuff I've read states otherwise. There's usually changes from the early releases and the official releases.

Also, whats the diff here:
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4866925/Windows_7_Ultimate_x64_RC_Build_7100
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4867399/Microsoft_Windows_7_RC1_Build_7100_x64_DVD-iND

???


You must have a Microsoft supplied Windows 7 Beta key or you can install without a key and use it for 30 days; when the official RC releases May 5th you will be able to grab a key if you need one.
Or you could just get one from TechNet... (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx)

[sdavis117]

How many times can you use a key again? I gave it to someone who might have used it once (or twice). Will I be able to activate this build of W7 with it still?

[Heathen]

I'm using 7077 right now, so I'm not going to bother upgrading until the official RC comes out.
samesies. fuck yes I said that

[Numerical]

Also, whats the diff here:
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4866925/Windows_7_Ultimate_x64_RC_Build_7100
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4867399/Microsoft_Windows_7_RC1_Build_7100_x64_DVD-iND

Well, from 3 seconds of looking I see that one has been multi-rar'd, so if the "difference" you're asking about is in regards to the file size, that would be why.

To clear up anything else for you, here are a few statistics for each torrent.

iND Torrent: It was uploaded at exactly 19:11:24 GMT on 2009-04-24 by Anicutiant (http://thepiratebay.org/user/Anicutiant/). Approx. seed/leech ratio is 0.086. There are 4 comments, and 4 negative ratings. It is a 62 part multi-rar, with a .nfo file attached, which brings it to about 2.89gb.

Other torrent: It was uploaded at exactly 12:28:34 GMT on 2009-04-24 by beksnih (http://thepiratebay.org/user/beksnih/). Approx. seed/leech ratio is 0.153. There are 13 comments, with 6 positive ratings and 4 negative ratings. It is a single iso download with a readme attached, which brings this one to a mere 3.06gb.

Is that enough information for you? Have you acquired enough knowledge to make a smart and well-informed decision about which to download?

[Cortexian]

How many times can you use a key again? I gave it to someone who might have used it once (or twice). Will I be able to activate this build of W7 with it still?
You can use a beta key for up to 7 hardware changes iirc. If you're just reinstalling on the same machine you can do it an infinite number of times. Just get a new one from the above TechNet link if you're unsure.


Well, from 3 seconds of looking I see that one has been multi-rar'd, so if the "difference" you're asking about is in regards to the file size, that would be why.

To clear up anything else for you, here are a few statistics for each torrent.

iND Torrent: It was uploaded at exactly 19:11:24 GMT on 2009-04-24 by Anicutiant (http://thepiratebay.org/user/Anicutiant/). Approx. seed/leech ratio is 0.086. There are 4 comments, and 4 negative ratings. It is a 62 part multi-rar, with a .nfo file attached, which brings it to about 2.89gb.

Other torrent: It was uploaded at exactly 12:28:34 GMT on 2009-04-24 by beksnih (http://thepiratebay.org/user/beksnih/). Approx. seed/leech ratio is 0.153. There are 13 comments, with 6 positive ratings and 4 negative ratings. It is a single iso download with a readme attached, which brings this one to a mere 3.06gb.

Is that enough information for you? Have you acquired enough knowledge to make a smart and well-informed decision about which to download?
I download torrents that have more peers and seeds. Speed is my first priority. All I want to know is if they're the same and untouched, hence the reason that I'm just waiting for an official download.

[AAA]

I hate working with rars for images. For anyone who agrees, here are torrents for the RC that are in .iso format...

64 bit: http://www.mininova.org/det/2521354

32 bit: http://www.mininova.org/com/2521167

[Heathen]

I like .rars

Idg why people hate that so much.

[Nick]

Full Windows 7 RC install in 14 minutes. I love Windows 7 + SSD :D

Nick

[InnerGoat]

Yeah having a good SSD to mess with must be fun. Are you running on one of Intel's drives by any chance?

I've used beta build 7000 for a while and was impressed by it so I'll probably skip installing this build on the main pc. Maybe it'll go on the AXP1600. :v:

[Nick]

Yeah having a good SSD to mess with must be fun. Are you running on one of Intel's drives by any chance?
Nope, I wasn't willing to pay $700 for the Intel drive. I just grabbed me one of the Samsung 64GB SSDs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147056), which perform quite well and are awesomely priced at $170. They don't do as good as the OCZ or Intel SSDs (by far), but they are SLC and still beat the hell out of a 10,000 RPM drive. I use it as my OS / App drive exclusively, with a 2TB RAID 1 array for storage.

Nick

[InnerGoat]

Oh that's quite a small drive... Still, it's big enough for TF2 and L4D :D

[Cortexian]

Yea, SSD's are just a waste of money until the storage sizes goes up and the prices come down to match. That's my opinion at least.

[InnerGoat]

Oh I don't consider them a waste of money at all, they're just out of my budget at this time.

[Nick]

Yea, SSD's are just a waste of money until the storage sizes goes up and the prices come down to match. That's my opinion at least.
Actually, with the performance I've been seeing so far, I'd say it's totally worth it. I only need 64GB for my OS and all my applications, so that's fine. The launch times and overall performance is simply stunning. I will never go back to a spinning drive for my OS install.

Nick

[Atty]

Can I boot camp this?

Don't feel like dicking with my PC for anything beyond Steam anymore.

[Nick]

Can I boot camp this?

Don't feel like dicking with my PC for anything beyond Steam anymore.
Yes, I've read about people installing it on their MBPs just fine over on Engadget and other places. Just use the Vista drivers.

Nick

[Limited]

So if you installed this, how long could you use it for?

[sdavis117]

Till August if you have a key.

[AAA]

You can use it up till August 2010 with a key.

Plenty of time.

[ShadowSpartan]

You can use it up till August 2010 with a key.

Plenty of time.
August 1, 2009.

[Syuusuke]

3 months.

Plenty of time.

[supersniper]

... No I've got a key that works till 2010...

[Nick]

August 1, 2009.
Actually, the new EULA for this release says it expires June 1, 2010. I've updated the first post with this new information.


Time-Sensitive Software. The software will stop running on June 1, 2010. You may not receive any other notice. You may not be able to access data used with the software when it stops running.
Nick

[StankBacon]

x86 - 32Bit 500MB Parts


Part 1: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52d223b664
Part 2: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52d3c197b0
Part 3: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52d6195a91
Part 4: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52d8081b6d
Part 5: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52d7d1968e
x64 - 64Bit 500MB Parts


Part 1: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52e431f1e4
Part 2: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52e6bf1c28
Part 3: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52e92d3822
Part 4: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52eb404f4a
Part 5: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52eec7c002
Part 6: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52f50d163b
Part 7: http://www.novaup.com/download/49f52f72073b0
Password for both - www.waz-warez.org




you can download all links at once, and you get really good speeds.

[Hotrod]

So, does build 7077 still expire in 2009?

If so, I need to upgrade, again...

[Pyong Kawaguchi]

It expires in june 2010

[Hotrod]

It expires in june 2010
Oh, alright, so no big need to upgrade then. Thanks for clearing that up:)

[Heathen]

Oh, alright, so no big need to upgrade then. Thanks for clearing that up:)
same

Stick to 7077

[Cortexian]

same

Stick to 7077
*cough*Until the official RC release*cough*

Microsoft will probably pull a "Ha-the-real-RC-is-build-7101-not-7100-WHAT-NOW" on us (Nothing will actually change except the build number though).

[Nick]

*cough*Until the official RC release*cough*

Microsoft will probably pull a "Ha-the-real-RC-is-build-7101-not-7100-WHAT-NOW" on us (Nothing will actually change except the build number though).Actually, the official build is 7100 and is already out for TechNet subscribers. It's the exact same build, as can be verified by clicking "Details" next to the two "Windows 7 Ultimate RC" entries here (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=36:350) and comparing the SHA1 hashes to what I have in the top post.

Also, just saw this in my TechNet email:

Please note: All users of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (including Windows Vista users who have upgraded to the Release Candidate) must do a clean installation of Windows 7 RTM. Please keep this is mind as you consider downloading the Release Candidate as opposed to waiting for the general availability release.
Worth keeping in mind when you decide if this is going to be your primary OS until RTM or just something you test on the side for the hell of it.

And once again, you can keep Windows 7 RC installed until June 30, 2010.

Nick

[Wakeboy1337]

If you want to see when your build expires I think you can just run "winver" in any build and it will tell you.

[StankBacon]

Oh, alright, so no big need to upgrade then. Thanks for clearing that up:)


same

Stick to 7077


........ besides fixing bugs and making it more stable.

it takes what... 20 minutes to reinstall the OS, and about another 10 to download/install your programs... :|

(or if your really a lazy fuck just do an upgrade, although that takes considerably more time)

[Hotrod]

........ besides fixing bugs and making it more stable.

it takes what... 20 minutes to reinstall the OS, and about another 10 to download/install your programs... :|

(or if your really a lazy fuck just do an upgrade, although that takes considerably more time)
Well, it's just that I don't want to waste another DVD to get the RC build, but then again, I guess it would be worth it.

EDIT : Oh, and is it possible to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit?

[Nick]

Well, it's just that I don't want to waste another DVD to get the RC build, but then again, I guess it would be worth it.
Don't want to burn a DVD to install the RC? Then don't.

Here's a guide on how to configure a USB stick or drive (greater than 4GB) to boot with the Windows 7 installer. (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key)

See, that wasn't so hard :D

Nick

[Hotrod]

Don't want to burn a DVD to install the RC? Then don't.

Here's a guide on how to configure a USB stick or drive (greater than 4GB) to boot with the Windows 7 installer. (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key)

See, that wasn't so hard :D

Nick
I tried doing that before using a DVD, but it wouldn't work for some reason, my computer refused to boot off of a USB, even though it worked on my brother's PC.

[StankBacon]

also if you have a second hard drive/partition, you can extract the contents of the iso to that and run the setup from within windows.

[Nick]

I tried doing that before using a DVD, but it wouldn't work for some reason, my computer refused to boot off of a USB, even though it worked on my brother's PC.
I think you're confused. I don't mean install to a USB drive, I mean install from a USB drive. You don't need a DVD at all in that case.

However, some (quite old) computers don't allow booting from a USB drive, so it is possible that you were encountering that issue. You can check your motherboard manufacturer's website for a BIOS update that may add that feature for your particular motherboard.

Nick

[Hotrod]

I think you're confused. I don't mean install to a USB drive, I mean install from a USB drive. You don't need a DVD at all in that case.

However, some (quite old) computers don't allow booting from a USB drive, so it is possible that you were encountering that issue. You can check your motherboard manufacturer's website for a BIOS update that may add that feature for your particular motherboard.

Nick
No, I know exactly what you're talking about, my brother installed 7 off of my USB drive, and I used the exact same one afterward, and it refused to boot off of it. My computer is fairly new, and I know that it should be able to boot off of a USB drive.

Ah hell, I'll just use another DVD. :P

Thanks for the help though :)

[Bodzilla]

how much do you make from microsoft these days nick?

~zilla~

[klange]

If you install from a USB stick, your computer still needs to be able to boot off of one.
While I normally wouldn't give this advice for Windows, it should work: Get yourself a GRUB Floppy (http://www.supergrubdisk.org/index.php?pid=6) (link is to Super GRUB Disk, which has instructions for installing from Windows). This will let you boot to a USB drive even if your computer's BIOS can't.

Basically, you're going to be `find`ing some file on the USB-installed Windows installer, then `root`ing the drive code it gives you (hdX,Y), then `chainboot`ing it...

[Nick]

how much do you make from microsoft these days nick?

~zilla~
You really think they would pay someone to post this kind of thread in some random, relatively low traffic forum to garner attention or users? Windows 7 already gets its own great press, I simply made this thread because I have had a great experience with it and think others will enjoy it, too.

Nick

[InnerGoat]

Oh no I think Bodzilla might have tried to troll you :ohdear:

Also, Win7 is rumored to come out Oct. 23? Wish it were sooner tbh.

[sdavis117]

For the past 30mins my screen has been showing a picture that says Installing Windows (but without any progress bar), and the cursor is currently that new version of the HourGlass (that blue Donut that keeps spinning or something). Is my install corrupt, or did they just do away with the progress bar. This is after the first restart of what the prompt warned me would be many.

Nevermind, a window with several progress bars and some details has come up. Now things should start moving along.

PS: Does H2V work with W7? I might know where to get a cheap copy, and I also may know where to get free XBL membership cards. These things combined would entice me to get H2V.

[InnerGoat]

H2V works great with the W7 beta, so it should be fine in this build too.

[Syuusuke]

Except it's also useless to get gold membership since they removed that restriction from GFWL already =D

[=sw=warlord]

Anyone notice any difference in Crysis on windows 7 at all?
I heard with windows 7's warp system crysis runs Very well indeed (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-cpu-gpu,6645.html)

[sdavis117]

I have installed W7, and I must say that I am glad that the DVD issue I had when I installed build 7000 is gone with 7100. I do though have another issue.

Whenever I try to connect to my WRT110 Linksys Wireless-N router when another device is connected to it by any means, both my W7 PC and the other device are kicked off, and I have to restart the router. Any fixes for this?

Edit: Slightly more urgent issue, I thought installing W7 would delete all my old files, yet instead all it did was move them to one massive 110GB folder named Windows.old. I backed up everything that I have that I wanted to keep, like images, documents, and Halo CE maps, so I don't care about this folder. Would just straight up deleting everything in Windows.old mess anything up?

[Phopojijo]

Anyone notice any difference in Crysis on windows 7 at all?
I heard with windows 7's warp system crysis runs Very well indeed (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-cpu-gpu,6645.html)Yeah... Microsoft always creates reference software renderers for DirectX -- but, well...


Sweeney: GPU hardware. And you can implement DirectX entirely in software, on the CPU. DirectX software rendering always has been there.
Microsoft writes the reference rasterizer, which is a factor of 100 slower than what you really need. But it is there and shows that you can run an entire graphics pipeline in software. I think we're only few years away from that approach being faster than the conventional API approach - and we will be able to ship games that way. Just think about the Pixomatic software rendering.

Looks like they actually created one that runs... somewhat well this time... unlike the quoted case for DirectX 9.

[Syuusuke]

Would just straight up deleting everything in Windows.old mess anything up?

No.

[Dr Nick]

Thanks for this, I'm still using build 7000, so this should be a nice refresh!

Anyone know if this version has Windows XP mode?

[Nick]

Anyone know if this version has Windows XP mode?
XP Mode is a separate download that will be freely available to Windows 7 Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate users. You run the installer and it sets everything up.

The ISOs do not include XP Mode. An RC version was released on TechNet, so it is probably up on a torrent site somewhere by now. If somebody finds the torrent (and someone has generated the SHA1 hash for the files so I can verify it's clean), I'll update the first post with the info.

Out of curiosity, what software do you expect you will have to run under XP Mode? There is still the "compatibility mode" that works for most software, just like in Vista, and XP Mode is for the cases where that fails.

Nick

[Dr Nick]

XP Mode is a separate download that will be freely available to Windows 7 Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate users. You run the installer and it sets everything up.

The ISOs do not include XP Mode. An RC version was released on TechNet, so it is probably up on a torrent site somewhere by now. If somebody finds the torrent (and someone has generated the SHA1 hash for the files so I can verify it's clean), I'll update the first post with the info.

Out of curiosity, what software do you expect you will have to run under XP Mode? There is still the "compatibility mode" that works for most software, just like in Vista, and XP Mode is for the cases where that fails.

Nick
Nothing really, I'd just like to try it out and see how it works.

Thanks for the info, I'll probably look around for it.

[Cortexian]

It's basically just Microsoft Virtual PC tbh. Don't see why you can't just use that.

[BobtheGreatII]

Just wanted to say... if you actually signed up for the beta/RC, then the download is up...

[Nick]

It's basically just Microsoft Virtual PC tbh. Don't see why you can't just use that.
You can just use that, but that isn't the point. The primary benefits of XP Mode are:

The windows run natively on your Desktop (as in, you only have one true "Desktop" instead of your real OS and a Virtual PC window with the XP Desktop). This feels much more natural, like it's just another application you have open; you see it on your normal task bar, you can switch to it with Alt-Tab, etc.
The XP image is very stripped down, so it will take considerably less hard drive space when installed and have a smaller memory footprint when run.
Nick

[Timo]

I've been hearing different things from different places - does build 7100 last till June(ish) 2010 with full functionality, or does it start to lose the plot when it get closer to the end date? I've heard it dies on the date, limits you to 2 hour sessions before shutting down or sets your computer on fire.

e: nevermind just saw this on neowin.net:

Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use. (Learn more about installing Windows.)

[AAA]

so...time's up, think the official release is public without having to sign up?

[BobtheGreatII]

so...time's up, think the official release is public without having to sign up?

Look at the top of the page <:mad:>

[Dr Nick]

Just finished freshly installing the RC, after some big hard drive troubles. Oh well, Guess I'll just re-download all those games again.

Installing Virtual PC and XPM currently!

[AAA]

XP Mode isn't finished, it's just a public beta right now?

[InnerGoat]

Well I got it to BSOD twice since the install. Build 7000 did no such thing. :smug:

[BobtheGreatII]

Well I got it to BSOD twice since the install. Build 7000 did no such thing. :smug:

How did you manage to fail so smoothly? :smug:

[InnerGoat]

Running that Windows Experience Index thing.

[Cortexian]

Running that Windows Experience Index thing.
What a waste of time, we all know my PC is the best.

[InnerGoat]

I was just curious what an AXP 1600+ would get in this build.

[Pyong Kawaguchi]

Why is my pc runing cooler on Win7?

[Cortexian]

Why is my pc runing cooler on Win7?
It's less resource intensive and better in every way.

[Pyong Kawaguchi]

I was running XP before though.

[Heathen]

........ besides fixing bugs and making it more stable.

it takes what... 20 minutes to reinstall the OS, and about another 10 to download/install your programs... :|

(or if your really a lazy fuck just do an upgrade, although that takes considerably more time)

ya, I wanna upgrade.

[Cortexian]

I was running XP before though.
My comment still stands!

Take that XP whores!

[BobtheGreatII]

My comment still stands!

Take that XP whores!

Ha ha. Wow...

[InnerGoat]

XP is the best, thats why W7 has this XP mode :realsmug:

Also, http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10234073-64.html

[Cortexian]

XP mode is stupid since Windows 7 runs just as good, if not better. I've yet to come across a program that doesn't work on Vista/7 that worked on previous OS's.

[Dr Nick]

XP is the best, thats why W7 has this XP mode :realsmug:

Also, http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10234073-64.html
My Pentium D doesn't support it.

Another reason to get a new motherboard and case.

[sdavis117]

I use Dark Basic for my programming needs, and it didn't work in W7 (or Vista for that matter). But I found a fix that involves getting a new .dll file and setting Dark Basic in XP Compatibility mode. But I must say that it would have been much easier just to have been able to use a "Mini XP" as you may call it, instead of having to jump through loops and hurdles to get it to work.

[InnerGoat]

http://lifehacker.com/5245396/set-up-and-use-xp-mode-in-windows-7


toot

[Rook]

I don't get that VM shit. If you need XP just keep XP

[sdavis117]

I don't get that VM shit. If you need XP just keep XP

It's for Businesses that need the newest technology to make themselves look fancy, but also have XP specific software.

[AAA]

XP Mode is pain in the ass. I hope they fix things before the final comes out.

Things like this make me glad there's such thing as a beta.

[Dr Nick]

The default themes are pretty cool, here's my current background!

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/17/2009/05/img24.jpg

[Rook]

It's for Businesses that need the newest technology to make themselves look fancy, but also have XP specific software.

Seems like a waste of time and money

[Nick]

Seems like a waste of time and money
Not really.

I'm too tired to get into the details, but basically businesses will want to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP because:

- It has better tools for IT support, which will reduce support times and costs.
- It has better network administration features and functionality which allow businesses to have stricter control over employees' computers.
- It is more secure out-of-the-box with significant improvements to security since XP.
- It has new remoting and caching features when connected with Windows Server 2008 R2 (you probably don't understand what this means, but in short this is important to businesses that have telework setups).
- It has a few application virtualization solutions built into it (again, you probably don't get it, but it's important).

Essentially, there are a lot of reasons for businesses to want to upgrade, but some simply cannot function without software that was written for XP and cannot / will not be updated to work with Windows 7. To solve that problem, XP Mode makes it so all of the benefits of Windows 7 can be realized while still maintaining compatibility with XP-only software within the same desktop experience (i.e. XP applications run in the same task bar as Windows 7 applications).

And remember ... that's the short version.

Nick

[Cortexian]

I'm still missing the point where this is so much better than a regular VM... Also, I keep getting random "Hardware Disconnected" sounds on my laptop while using the RC.

[Nick]

I'm still missing the point where this is so much better than a regular VM... Also, I keep getting random "Hardware Disconnected" sounds on my laptop while using the RC.Well, a "regular VM" requires users to have a window open with the other OS in it and then launch applications and arrange windows within that window - moderately annoying.

XP Mode is transparent to users once configured. They won't even know they're running a VM when they opened up their old XP-only LOB application and it comes up next to their Office 2010.

Yes, other VMs have those features, but the point is this is free for the people who will actually need it and is relatively quick and easy to setup. It's also a Microsoft-supported solution, which is very important for many businesses that have service contracts with Microsoft. So it isn't really meant to be "better" than VMWare or another VM, it's meant to just work for the people who need it at no extra cost.

Also, I would say this is the first step into the future of backwards compatibility for Windows. Gone will be the shimming of versions past, replaced by system-wide VMs for prior kernel version that give each application its own sandbox; at least, that's my bet.

Nick

[Cortexian]

Oh my, switching windows is such a big deal.

I'll stick with the tried and true Microsoft Virtual Machine + whatever OS I want.

[Nick]

Oh my, switching windows is such a big deal.

I'll stick with the tried and true Microsoft Virtual Machine + whatever OS I want.
It is a big deal for a car salesman or office admin or accountant.

Don't you get it yet? XP Mode is not meant for you or people like you - it's meant for average, everyday people who are just barely computer literate and expect things all look the same and work together seemlessly because they lack the interest or capacity to learn what a virtual machine is, how they start one up, how they install and open application on it, etc.

Honestly, you really have no business even trying XP Mode if you already like how VMs work, want to VM an OS other than XP, or have no applications that NEED to run under virtualized XP to work.

You complaining about XP Mode is like a car enthusiest complaining about a car model being redesigned to ship with a turbocharger next year. There are already aftermarket parts you can stick in to make it do what you want it to do, but that doesn't mean the average driver wants to go through that hassle or needs the same functionality as you.

Nick

[sdavis117]

I seem to have lost my old Activation Key, and W7 is suddenly asking me for a key. Do any of you have any key lying around?

[Nick]

I seem to have lost my old Activation Key, and W7 is suddenly asking me for a key. Do any of you have any key lying around?
You can get yours back or get a new one here (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx).

Nick

[Cortexian]

You can also hit F5 over and over on the page that shows your key, generates a new one every time.

[sdavis117]

While I have enjoyed my time with Windows 7, I must say that I will have to downgrade back to XP. This whole issue with my DVD Drive is bothersome. That, plus I can't play CoD4, BF2142, or any other game that uses PunkBuster on W7. Added with the fact that while I can install almost any game I have using my 4GB flashdrive, the issue remains that if a game requires a disk while playing, I cannot play the game.

This, plus some network issues and other unmentioned problems, has convinced me that I do not have the hardware to use W7, that I don't have the money to upgrade my PC right now, and that the lack of some major 3rd party software companies from making their (sometimes very vital) programs compatible with W7 has led me to no other choice then to downgrade.

It's been fun W7, and I must say that you are an OS with much to be proud about. But your issues are just too much.

[Bhamid]

It is a big deal for a car salesman or office admin or accountant.

Don't you get it yet? XP Mode is not meant for you or people like you - it's meant for average, everyday people who are just barely computer literate and expect things all look the same and work together seemlessly because they lack the interest or capacity to learn what a virtual machine is, how they start one up, how they install and open application on it, etc.

Honestly, you really have no business even trying XP Mode if you already like how VMs work, want to VM an OS other than XP, or have no applications that NEED to run under virtualized XP to work.

You complaining about XP Mode is like a car enthusiest complaining about a car model being redesigned to ship with a turbocharger next year. There are already aftermarket parts you can stick in to make it do what you want it to do, but that doesn't mean the average driver wants to go through that hassle or needs the same functionality as you.

Nick
Is that why XP mode is only going to be done with Professional upwards? Its meant for businesses who want to keep compatiblity with their old programs...

[sdavis117]

For some reason I just can't bring myself to downgrade to XP. Before with XP, it would be over a minute before I could start browsing the web. With W7, it's more like 15 seconds.

I might use GParted to split my HDD in half, or I might get a second HDD.

[Nick]

Is that why XP mode is only going to be done with Professional upwards? Its meant for businesses who want to keep compatiblity with their old programs...
Exactly. Home users will probably still be able to purchase it as a separate option, but it comes free with Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate.


I might use GParted to split my HDD in half, or I might get a second HDD.
You do know that Windows has a built-in disk manager that can partition drives and such, right? Right-click on "Computer" and click "Manage". I'd read some tutorials before you start messing around, though.

Nick

[Cortexian]

You do know that Windows has a built-in disk manager that can partition drives and such, right? Right-click on "Computer" and click "Manage". I'd read some tutorials before you start messing around, though.

Nick
It honestly doesn't work very well, I can never shink a volume any more than 10GB's so it's pretty useless for me. Gparted is great as long as you don't mind doing a windows installation disk repair.

[StankBacon]

i never had a problem with the built in partition manager with partitions of any size.

[Limited]

I'm thinking about making the plunge into using Windows 7 RC as a full time OS.

I'm having issues with a newly installed XP, mainly my OEM disk bluescreens at windows installation so I downloaded a new ISO from MS website. That ISO is NOT OEM, therefore I can not activate XP (as I have OEM key) and I'm screwed.

I could ring MS but I dont particullary want to ring some one in India which massively thick Indian accent.

So, do you guys think I should jump in and install Windows 7? Have you run into any issues, and any issues developing for Windows 7?

[Cortexian]

Download a torrent for an OEM disk, it's legal if you already own it.

[Limited]

I dont partically want to have to reinstall all my apps again if its for the same thing (XP), even though I'd have to do exact same thing for Windows 7.

There is a method to my madness.

I dont use torrents so >_>. If there was a link on MS site I'd use it.


Edit
Yes I got it :), I edited the PID (that tells what kind of installation CD was used) thats in the registry to OEM and activated using my OEM key. HKLM\System\setup\PID is location.

:D:D

[supersniper]

... it's official
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

[Limited]

... it's official
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx
Yup, I'm seriously considering whether to upgrade to it, even though I fixed my XP issue.

I only have 1gb of ram, and its really bad type of ram (SDRAM :O) so I dont know if my pc is fast enough, they say you need 1gb but I dont know if that is minimumor recommended, probably minimum.

So, any thoughts to upgrade? I got key and ISO.

[Cortexian]

Can you grab another gig of SDRAM from some place local? That should be fine for running Win7 all the time.

[Limited]

Can you grab another gig of SDRAM from some place local? That should be fine for running Win7 all the time.
Cant buy 1gb of SDRam. Highest it comes in is 512mb. (Which is what I have now).

Sadly finding electronics in UK is a pain and you can end up paying out the ass. It would cost $71 US for 512mb SDram. Which is stupid as I can buy 4gb DDR2 ram which is massively faster for cheaper than $71.


I did run into issues whilst trying to get Windows 7. The dvd disks I got for my dads laptop are the wrong kind and give me a protected error. They are max 16x, where as the dvd drive max is 8x.

I tried instructions to put the iso onto a USB and make it bootable, but I get a disk read error occurred message on bootup.

[Cortexian]

I thought you meant DDR SDRAM, not "SDRAM" SDRAM.

Oh god, get a new Motherboard.