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Microsoft Begs Win 7 Testers To Clean Install
Barence writes "Microsoft is imploring millions of Windows 7 beta testers to perform a clean install of the forthcoming Release Candidate, rather than upgrade from the beta. 'The reality is that upgrading from one pre-release build to another is not a scenario we want to focus on because it is not something real-world customers will experience,' the company claims on the Engineering Windows 7 blog. Those who attempt to install the Release Candidate over the beta will find their path blocked." I've read complaints that reviews of new Linux distros often focus too much on the installation process; Microsoft seems to understand that complications at installation time (dual booting? preserving an existing data partition?) can sour one's experience pretty thoroughly.
Or you could install the upgrade on a clean disk by inserting your old media at the appropriate time.
I've been installing Windows ever since 95 and not once have I been forced to install an older version before "upgrading" to the newer one. I just wipe the drive, show the installer I have an older version of Windows, and get the exact same thing as a full OEM verson.
June 1st 2010 actually. http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/03/windows-7-rc-download-page-goes-up-early-coming-in-may.ars
"The space elevator will be built about 50 years after everyone stops laughing." - Arthur C. Clarke ~1980
I know, don't feed the troll. however, it should be noted that 7 is really quite good. i've been a windows user, a mac user and i have tried every flavour of linux for 10 years and i stand by my opinion that Win7 is an excellent OS. Each has their strengths (and i have each installed on various machines for various jobs), but everyone shouldn't be assaulting every MS news item just because it's MS.
I haven't seen a BSOD in almost a decade.
Upgrading from XP is not supported. Only Vista SP1 is supported for upgrade.
That Microsoft is trying to specify test parameters is very good thing.
Wouldn't they be interesting in finding out what might happen to paying customers when they buy the product and try to upgrade?
They are interested in upgrades from Vista to 7. What they aren't interested is in upgrades from Win7beta to Win7RC (or 7full).
Seriously, I don't understand the fascination with in-place upgrades. Why not clean install?
I use Windows (have to for work) and support it, and it's so much better to do a clean install. In fact, I recommend wiping Windows* every year or two and starting with a fresh clean install anyway.
*Anticipating the obligatory "fixed it for you" response: "In fact, I recommend wiping Windows and starting with a fresh clean install of Linux." If only everyone thought the same way...
Any Debian user, for instance.
I spent a couple years using the Debian testing version and had little to no problem when the system decided it should update itself.
http://www.dieblinkenlights.com
Wouldn't they be interesting in finding out what might happen to paying customers when they buy the product and try to upgrade?
You misunderstood the article. MS is asking existing beta testers who already have installed a previous Win 7 build, not to upgrade from the old build to the new version. This is not the scenario paying customers will face: they'll upgrade from Vista or maybe XP, not from a beta Win7 build.
Windows is as secure
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10156617-56.html/ Windows UAC flaw
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090204/second-windows-7-uac-flaw-malware-self-elevate/ Windows UAC flaw
http://www.linux.com/feature/131059/ Only Ubuntu survived Pwn to Own contest.
has more products
http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/linuxlist/linuxlist/linuxlist.html/ Linux software encyclopedia
There are literally millions of unix scripts, programs, and utilities for Linux.
I will concede that there are several 3rd party tools that are windows-only, and limit the adaptability
of some business's switching, but you'll never win the "more products" argument in windows favor.
Easier to install
This will vary with the flavor of linux. Some are definitely more challenging to get functional. If
you compare the installation / setup time for 50 computers, with ease of installation being a priority in your
choice of distributions, then you can have them up & running quicker, and more consistently with Linux than
with windows.