When Windows 7 is finally released, many of us will want to upgrade.Microsoft announced its "Windows Anytime Upgrade" Feature.Will that be the case with Windows 7 RC and the Public Release, instead of buying an upgrade or OS Disk?

All users of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (including Windows Vista users who have upgraded to the Release Candidate) must do a clean installation of Windows 7 RTM. Please keep this is mind as you consider downloading the Release Candidate as opposed to waiting for the general availability release.Therefore, one cannot use the Windows Anytime Upgrade if you have Windows 7 RC1 installed.IMPORTANT: If you are running Windows 7 Beta youll need to back up your data (preferably on an external device) and then do a clean install of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. After installing Windows 7, you will need to reinstall applications and restore your files.Carey Frisch

So, Just make a good image of your vista system prior to upgrading to Win 7 RC (Symantec Ghost or Acronis products will do the job for the images just fine. Back them up to a remote source and keep safe). When the final version comes along, just back up all data from your then Win 7 RC system, restore your vista version from when you upgraded to Win 7RC, restore all your dataand then upgrade to the public release? This seems like the easiest way around it to me?? Cheers - Rennie

Carey - Indeed... The Anytime Upgrade allows you to upgrade from a lower edition to a higher one - such as Home Premium to Professional or Ultimate. Since the RC already is installed as Ultimate - where can you go from there anyhow? Ultimate is pretty much the top of theheap.

It said in the eMail from Microsoft that all RC users must either go back to Vista or another version they own or install the final version. Will there be a charge for this for use until August?

cellhead - A charge for the Beta or RC? No.. A charge for the final released version, yes...

Ok so here is a question. I am currently using the RC1 and I am a student. They recently announced a student price of 29.99 for the windows 7 upgrade. Does that mean I can't take advantage of that unless I go back to using vista? I can't use the upgrade to do a clean install? Sounds like I kinda got screwed by MS on that one if that's the case.

You'll have to remove Windows 7 RC1 anyway by reformatting your hard drive. The upgrade editions of Windows 7 requires a qualifying Windows operating system to be installed. So you'll have to install Windows Vista before you can install the upgrade edition of Windows 7.Carey Frisch