Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Illegit

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 24, 2007
26
0
I have Windows 7x64 RC installed on my Mac via BootCamp. The RC will expire soon and I want to do a clean install of Windows 7. However, I do not want to lose any of my data or programs in Windows. What is the best way to backup and save my data so I can transfer it to the fresh install of Windows? Also, is there any special process to follow when doing a fresh install? Can I simply install Windows 7 into the previous Windows partition? Thanks a lot.
 
Back up your data any way you see fit - DVDs, an external drive, or flash drive(s). As for your programs, you're just going to have to bite the bullet, as it were, and reinstall those once you have a non-RC version of Windows 7 installed. You saved the installers for stuff you downloaded, right? If not, go collect them now, so you don't have to do it later.
 
Microsoft suggests using their Wizard: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Transfer-files-and-settings-from-another-computer to transfer files and such, but as wrldwzrd89 it's your backup and you need to be comfortable it caught everything you needed. Personally, I'd probably do a file level backup to an external HDD, a winclone or Acronis backup and maybe even use VMWare converter to make a bootable copy of the previous install including applications.

But yes, you can simply install over the RC.

B
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.