May 1st, 2009
Windows 7 setup secrets
Secret #6: Unblock the upgrade path for your Windows 7 beta
Microsoft really, really, really doesn’t want you to install the Windows 7 Release Candidate code over an existing installation of the Windows 7 beta (or over any interim builds, for that matter). The result is a beta-over-beta installation that could exhibit odd behaviors that a customer installing the final version of Windows 7 would never confront. Not only that, but any feedback you send in via the automated tools built into Windows 7 is mostly useless for identifying problems in the final build.
So, as a result, the RC blocks upgrades over any build earlier than 7077. If you’ve been running the original beta (Build 7000) and you try to upgrade, you’ll see an error message.
But if you insist on doing the upgrade anyway, there’s a workaround. Start by copying the entire contents of the Windows 7 DVD to a local folder (use a bootable USB drive, or create a folder in the root of the drive you’re planning to upgrade, and then run Setup from that location).
In the folder you just created, open the Sources subfolder and then open the file Cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad.
Change the MinClient value (highlighted in yellow above) to 7000 and save the file in the same location with the same name.
You can now run Setup without being bothered by the version check.
Secret #7: Unlock extra editions
The ISO image available for download from MSDN, TechNet, and Microsoft’s public download site contains Windows 7 Ultimate edition only. If you’re evaluating the operating system to see how it fits in your home or office, you might want to try another, less expensive edition to see whether its mix of features is acceptable.
To unlock those other editions, you need to follow the same procedure as in the previous item, copying the files from the Windows 7 DVD to a local folder. Open the Sources folder, find the file Ei.cfg, and delete it.
You can now run Setup from the folder you just modified. Be sure not to enter a product key when prompted (your beta product key is good only for Ultimate edition) and choose the edition you want to install when prompted.
Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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| 05/01/09
