Upgrade Windows 7 RC to RTM - Final Release Guide
Upgrading from Windows 7 RC to the Final Release
Yesterday marked the release of the final Windows 7 version for subscribers of MS Technet. However, a direct upgrade from a pre-release build is not typically possible.
Fortunately, a straightforward workaround exists to facilitate this upgrade, and we will detail the process below. The Problem lies in the fact that Windows 7 verifies if the currently installed version is a pre-release copy, subsequently blocking further upgrades.
Understanding the Error
When attempting an upgrade from a pre-release version, a specific error message will be displayed. This serves as an indicator of the system's preventative measure.
The Solution: Modifying the cversion.ini File
To bypass this restriction, a modification to a file within the Windows 7 DVD is required. The DVD’s contents must first be extracted to your computer’s hard drive.
After extraction, navigate to the “sources” folder. Within this folder, locate the file named cversion.ini.
Opening cversion.ini will reveal a line labeled “MinClient” with a default value of 7233.0. Considering the Windows 7 RC build is 7100, this discrepancy explains the upgrade failure.
The necessary adjustment involves altering the MinClient value to a number lower than your current build. For users of the RC release, setting this value to 7000 is recommended.
Initiating the Upgrade Process
With the modification complete, launch the setup.exe file from the extracted folder on your hard drive. This will initiate the upgrade process directly from the hard drive.
Upon starting the setup, select the “Install now” option to proceed.
When presented with the installation type screen, choose the option to “Upgrade” your existing installation.
Compatibility Report and Finalization
The Compatibility Report screen may appear during the upgrade. This screen lists applications that might encounter issues after the upgrade.
In most cases, these applications will function correctly, and the upgrade can continue. Removing potentially incompatible applications before upgrading can further streamline the process.
Following this step, the upgrade should commence and will require a significant amount of time to complete.
Important Considerations
Several key points should be remembered during the upgrade to the final version:
- Ensure you have a stable power supply throughout the entire process.
- Back up any critical data before initiating the upgrade.
- Close all running applications before starting the installation.
With these precautions in place, the upgrade should proceed smoothly. Happy upgrading!
Further Resources
What's Next? We offer a comprehensive collection of over 100 articles dedicated to utilizing, customizing, and optimizing your Windows 7 experience.
Explore these resources by visiting the Windows 7 category page.
