Windows 7 RC expiration
Effective June 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC will expire.

To continue using your computer, you should prepare to install the retail release version of Windows 7 or install an earlier version of Windows before the June 1, 2010 expiration date. You will be unable to upgrade from Windows 7 RC to the retail release version of Windows 7. However, you can back up or transfer your data to your next or previous operating system.

Windows 7 RC expiration functionality
Effective February 15, 2010, the expiration notification process begins:
Windows 7 RC users receive an expiration notification in the task bar one time per day.
Windows 7 RC users are presented with the Notification Wizard one time every four hours and then one time every hour.

Effective March 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC enters the next phase of expiration:
Expiration notifications in the task bar continue.
Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.
Important When the computer restarts, your work will not be saved.

Effective June 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC expires:
Windows starts to a black desktop.
Windows 7 RC users are presented with a Windows Activation screen. The screen states that the Windows that you are running is not genuine.
Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.

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genitalmen

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Microsoft

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Microsoft

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Uh, what?

They never said It was a free operating system for you to use.  It was so you could try out Windows 7 and help test the release candidate for them.

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Microsoft

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You will get caught on the key.

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Microsoft

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So this keeps you from having to reinstall the entire OS right?

1) Buy Pro
2) hack RC
2.5) upgraydd to Pro
3) install Pro Key
4) Loss

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yup.. I really didnt want to have to format and reinstall.. ant its seems to have worked..

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Microsoft