Windows 7 RC Expiration Approaches

Time does tend to catch up with us. In this case, time is catching up with the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC). Notifications will start appearing on February 15, 2010, with warnings that the operating system will soon expire.

More importantly, starting on March 1, 2010, computers still using the RC will begin shutting down every two hours. Any work in progress will not be saved during the shutdown.

The Windows 7 RC will fully expire on June 1, 2010. Computers running the Windows 7 RC will continue shutting down every two hours with no files being saved during shutdown. In addition, the wallpaper will change to a solid black background with a persistent message on the desktop. This will be accompanied by periodic notifications that Windows isn’t genuine, resulting in the inability to obtain optional updates or downloads requiring genuine Windows validation.

There are several solutions:

1. Reinstall a prior version of Windows
   
2. Upgrade to Windows 7
   
3. Install the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial
   

In solutions 1 and 2, it will be necessary to do a custom (clean) install to replace the RC. First back up your data then reinstall applications and restore the data. Help is available at Microsoft Windows Help & How-To: Install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows.

Solution 3 is available to IT Pros who need more time to test application and hardware compatibility in Windows 7.

References:

• Microsoft Windows Help & How-To: Install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows
• Microsoft KB Article 91767: Description of Windows 7 Beta and Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) expiration dates and functionality
• It's time to upgrade from the Windows 7 Release Candidate
• Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial
• Windows 7 Team Blog: Important Reminder Regarding Expiration of the Windows 7 RC

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, Microsoft, Information, how-to, Windows 7


Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...