Will I be able to upgrade directly from Windows 7 RC or will I have to revert back to Vist to install final version. I have my system set up perfectly, with all my programs and settings...hope I don't have to do a complete recovery from scratch.

Reformat your hard drive, install Windows Vista, then upgrade to the final version of Windows 7. If you purchase a Windows 7 full license, then you do not need to install Windows Vista first.Also see: Can I do an In-Place upgrade from Windows 7 Release Candidate To Release Code? Carey Frisch

Is a full license something a home business owner would buy? Is it reasonably priced? Or is my only option to reformat back to Vista and then start from scratch? Does it make sense that Microsoft won't allow a direct paid upgrade from it's own RC for the average user?

Q. "Does it make sense that Microsoft won't allow a direct paid upgrade from it's own RC for the average user?"A. The Windows 7 RC1 license is not a perpetual license,thus it is not a liciense that qualifies for a Windows 7 Upgrade license.The Windows 7 Upgrade license requires that a genuine Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system be installed. Otherwise,you would need a "full license" edition of Windows 7.Carey Frisch

I had a genuine version of Vista on this computer before I installed Windows 7 RC on this computer about a week ago. I purchased the computer with Vista on it. I am completely prepared to go back to Vista if I absolutely have to in order to install the upgrade to Windows 7. I am also prepared to pay for the upgrade. My main question is, is there any way of paying for the upgrade and going directly from the Windows 7 RC that I have on my computer now without having to Reformat. If I do have to reformat back to Vista, how do I even do that?

Regardless of what is technically possible, it is ALWAYS a good idea to do a clean install (called a custom install) from a pre-release build to final. It is the only way to guarantee that performance is optimal.Windows Client IT Pro Audience Manager for Web Forums, Windows Client Forum Owner

I had a genuine version of Vista on this computer before I installed Windows 7 RC on this computer about a week ago. I purchased the computer with Vista on it. I am completely prepared to go back to Vista if I absolutely have to in order to install the upgrade to Windows 7. I am also prepared to pay for the upgrade. My main question is, is there any way of paying for the upgrade and going directly from the Windows 7 RC that I have on my computer now without having to Reformat. If I do have to reformat back to Vista, how do I even do that? scene28 - You'll have to reinstall Vista - How exactly you do that depends on the machine itself and whatever means the OEM (if applicable) provided for OS recovery. Some OEMs provide a DVD that contains the Vista installation files. Some provide disks that can restore their default image for that particular make of machine. Some provide a partition on the hard drive for recovery. Your mileage may vary. Check your owner's manual (if applicable). IF you've got a machine you've built yourself or had built for you, you'll need to have Vista reinstalled from the DVD you got from your license.Either way, you can't upgrade from the RC to RTM. There are two primary reasons...1.) You don't want to mix RC and RTM code. Some things may not be upgraded, along with the proper registry entries if you were able to upgrade from the RC to RTM. As Microsoft said back in the day when the RC came out - they will not be fixing any odd quirks that may pop up.2.) You can't downgrade from Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional (or any other edition, for that matter). Microsoft isn't in the registry cleaning business. You can always UPGRADE (Anytime Upgrade) to a higher edition, but not downgrade to a lower one. The former involves adding new registry entries. The latter involves trying to sort out what gets removed, how that effects other apps, and a really BIG headache. The RC is configured to be Ultimate edition. You're not likely to be buying Ultimate. Most people will be getting Home Premium or Pro.

If you have not deleted the Windows.old folder, you can revert back to Vista following these instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971760I've done it and it works like a charm.

I had a genuine version of Vista on this computer before I installed Windows 7 RC on this computer about a week ago. I purchased the computer with Vista on it. I am completely prepared to go back to Vista if I absolutely have to in order to install the upgrade to Windows 7. I am also prepared to pay for the upgrade. My main question is, is there any way of paying for the upgrade and going directly from the Windows 7 RC that I have on my computer now without having to Reformat. If I do have to reformat back to Vista, how do I even do that? In order to upgrade to windows 7 there must be a qualifying operating sytem present to upgrade from. Some qualifications are the version being earlier than or having fewer features them the upgrade. Another is the system to be upgraded is in a genuine state and activated. Windows 7RC unfortunatly does not qualify.

Will I be able to upgrade directly from Windows 7 RC or will I have to revert back to Vist to install final version. I have my system set up perfectly, with all my programs and settings...hope I don't have to do a complete recovery from scratch. Here's how. But you'll probably regret not intalling it clean as everybody is advising.

Will I be able to upgrade directly from Windows 7 RC or will I have to revert back to Vist to install final version. I have my system set up perfectly, with all my programs and settings...hope I don't have to do a complete recovery from scratch. Here's how. But you'll probably regret not intalling it clean as everybody is advising. egads - But that only solves 50% of the problem... What about the part where he's got Win 7 Ultimate RC and he's trying to install Windows 7 Home Premium RTM? He's still gonna have to do a clean install because you can't get there from here. And besides.. That trick worked for moving from the Beta to RC... NO guarantee it'll work the same in the final build.

One thing to consider.Thestatus of the RC is that of a non-qualifying operating system to beupgraded. Performing one would be in violation of the EULA of the RC. To use an upgrade versionof windows 7 to upgrade the RC would bein violation of the EULAof theWindows 7 upgrade.

Will I be able to upgrade directly from Windows 7 RC or will I have to revert back to Vist to install final version. I have my system set up perfectly, with all my programs and settings...hope I don't have to do a complete recovery from scratch. Here's how. But you'll probably regret not intalling it clean as everybody is advising. egads - But that only solves 50% of the problem... What about the part where he's got Win 7 Ultimate RC and he's trying to install Windows 7 Home Premium RTM? He's still gonna have to do a clean install because you can't get there from here. And besides.. That trick worked for moving from the Beta to RC... NO guarantee it'll work the same in the final build. I seem to have misspelled installing asintalling. It looks funny, doesn't it?That might be howupgradinga beta ends up looking too...