I still have Windows 7 Evaluation copy, Build 7100.
It now says "This copy of Windows Ultimate will expire in 18 hours".
I've bought a new Windows 7 Professional.
I have all my data on a second drive and have backed it all up just in case.
I plan to just reformat the C drive and install Windows Professional full version on it.
Questions:
- would trying to upgrade be easier, e.g. from evaluation ultimate to full professional? anyone have experience doing this?
- what will actually happen in 18 hours when "windows 7 evaluation" expires, can I no longer start it?
Best Answer
You are not supposed upgrade a RC (release candidate) version to a RTM (release to market) version, so the Windows 7 RTM installer won't let you without some hackery of a file on the Windows 7 Professional disc.
According to Micrsoft:
More specifically, Microsoft breaks the expiration into 2 categories - the "Time Bomb" and then "License Expiration":
Microsoft has a PowerPoint on the "Pre-release Expiration User Experience" that includes screenshots of the various dialogs.
Your plans to reformat and install Windows 7 RTM is the right way to go.