Windows 7 RC users, come in, your time is almost up

Geoff Spick
03 February 2010, 12:53 AM

PC users still kicking back with their free copy of Windows 7 (aka the Release Candidate) now have a month left to play until they need to up (or down) grade

Windows 7's free release candidate was probably the best PR Microsoft could get for its new operating system. Trying the whole thing out for free has probably done more for sales, word-of-mouth awareness and feedback than any amount of horrific "the sun is shining out of my arse" advertising that Microsoft's marketing people can come up with.

Yet, there are still millions of us who haven't taken the plunge and now there's only one month left before Windows 7 RC starts timing out, shutting down automatically and generally encouraging users to get a hustle on down to the stores.

So, the big question for the hold outs is, will you be:

Downgrading back to Windows XP
Downgrading to Windows Vista
Upgrading to a version of Windows 7
Deleting the whole thing from your Mac Boot Camp and pretending it was all a dream?

Let us know in the comments.

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Phred (New user):

I'm still using the RC as a dual boot with Ubuntu, and only occasionally boot into Windows. Not sure what I'll do, but buying an iMac is higher on my list of priorities than upgrading to Windows 7.

03 February 2010, 9:21 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

garrows (New user):

i was going to go back to linux but i got addicted to games again.

DAMN YOU GAMES!

03 February 2010, 10:37 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

MiCCAS (New user):

Upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate for me - I totally forgot I was running the RC version!

03 February 2010, 3:24 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

DandamanV (New user):

HAHA I'm none of those options! I'm planning to give my 13-month-old laptop to my sister and by then she will want an installation of Windows, preferably "the one with the pretty windows". Until May (the month I give it away), I'll be running Linux Mint 8. YEAH!

03 February 2010, 4:31 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

wade barclay (New user):

i have run all versions as a beta tester and now i recommend all my clients to run this on new system build i love it and yes i have already brought it good on you microsoft vista was like millenium
all full of patches

03 February 2010, 8:53 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

SLi (New user):

I've been running the RC since release. Hoping to switch to a proper version sometime in the near future :) Lovin this windows 7!! Best windows yet... by far!

04 February 2010, 12:16 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Ausman (New user):

Linux Mint for everything but games, Win 7RC partition just for games

04 February 2010, 1:37 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

apt.pupil (New user):

well
when my RC trial ends, i will be switching back to my Vista Home Premium Partition until i have the money behind me to buy ultimate.

though i am concerned- because half the purpoted bugs and problems with win7 have not been there for me in RC1, is my fgood shining luck about to end again like it did when i tried to manage a Linux and Vista dual boot?

funny how when i removed GRBU and Linux, my pc stopped crashing after 7 minutes

04 February 2010, 10:57 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

JorgeA (New user):

I was running RC but upgraded to Win 7 Proff. only cost me $50 as well :P..... Best spent $50 EVER!

04 February 2010, 2:20 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Anonymousewiuu2945u389 (User):

"PC users still kicking back with their free copy of Windows 7 (aka the Release Candidate) now have a month left to play until they need to up (or down) grade"

Wrong. Windows 7 RC users have 1 month before automatic bihourly shutdowns commence. The complete shutoff doesn't happen until June.

I'll see if turning back the clock to 2004 (or something weird like that) works, otherwise it will be replaced by dual-boot Vista/Linux - current situation is dual-boot Vista/7.

05 February 2010, 10:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Chill (New user):

I have purchased home premium but my product key does not work. Microsoft (aka somewhere on the Indian continent) told me I have to do a clean install to "downgrade". Please tell me this isn't so.
Chill

16 February 2010, 7:17 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

straker135 (User):

Quoting Chill:
Please tell me this isn't so.
Chill

Sorry Chill but Microsoft say you have to do a clean install. All those programs have to be reinstalled. You can use the Files and settings transfer wizard to get your data across and the wizard will remind you which programs you need to reinstall but wont install them for you. I always have a data partition or two (on a second drive if possible)to keep everything. That way if the OS partition gets hosed or needs reinstalling there is less risk to the data and a little less work. It also mean I can multi boot without allowing the other OS partitions to access each other, just in cse I, or someone else, tries to do something silly.

17 February 2010, 5:22 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

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