How to Upgrade Windows 7 Beta to RTM Final

If you have Windows 7 RC or Windows 7 Beta or any other pre-release leaked version then you cannot directly upgrade it to Windows 7 RTM build 7600.16385 as it is not supported by default.

Microsoft recommends Windows 7 beta or RC users to perform a clean or fresh installation of Windows 7 RTM, and use Windows Easy Transfer to save and transfer user accounts, Windows settings, program settings, personal customizations and files from current installation to newly installed Windows 7 RTM system.

When you try to upgrade to Windows 7 build 7600.16385, The setup will stop loading and give you an error message saying : You cannot upgrade this prerelease version of Windows 7. Go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and settings.

windows 7 rtm upgrade

Windows 7 RTM is so build that it blocks and prevent upgrade from all pre-release versions of Windows 7 earlier than build 7233 for client edition, including Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 and Windows 7 RC Build 7100. But, perform this hack to upgrade in-place and bypass the error message.

  1. Extract the contents of Windows 7 RTM ISO Image to any folder or USB Disk using WinRAR.
  2. Find the file cversion.ini in a text editor such as Notepad.
  3. Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For example, change 7233 to 7000.
    Original content of cversion.ini: 

    [HostBuild]
    MinClient=7233.0
    MinServer=7100.0

    Change it to:

    [HostBuild]
    MinClient=7000.0
    MinServer=7100.0
  4. Save the File with Original name and Location.
  5. Continue installation with this modified setup.
  6. Choose “Upgrade” type installation to have in-place uprade to Windows 7 RTM ISO Gold. The version check will be skipped and bypassed.
Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 10 comments
Bruce - August 5, 2009

Worked perfectly. Laptop is now running retail windows 7 like a champ 🙂

Reply
    Rohit Langde - August 5, 2009

    @Bruce, I am glad that it helped you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    Reply
      Ms. Kalina - August 18, 2010

      Mr.Rohit,

      Hi, I,am Ms.Kalina here. One of my freind given me windows 7 dvd. It may be a trial version. I, have installed this windows 7 pro 32bit on my computer. Then with the another key (starting 22TKD), this windows pro was updated to windows 7 ultimate. Now its asking for product/activation key. 23 days are left for activation. Buying a new product key is out of reach to me as I, am financially not settled. Could you send me a product key or suggest some way out? Personally this windows 7 is liked to me and my child.

      Reply
Tommy - August 23, 2009

Will this be a permanent fix, so you can have 7 for ever and ever? I really do love the changes but I’m broke and i found the torrent and this, I was wondering if its the 120 day thing or for ever

Reply
arun - January 11, 2010

sir, can iconvert rc to rtm without rtm key

Reply
    Rohit Langde - January 11, 2010

    No, both are different things. There are several changes in RC and RTM. So no use of Key.

    Reply
jagadesh - April 6, 2010

sir, i have windows 7 trial version… it keep on asking product key… but it will cost.. what i have to do

Reply
Tyisha Cholula - June 23, 2010

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