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I googled thusly:
http://www.google.com/search?q=windows+7+release+candidate+expiration
First hit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971767
explains:
Windows
7 RC
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.
So the short answer is back-up and reinstall. Might be a
good time to investigate the Windows Easy Transfer facility:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/easy-transfer.aspx
Also, a Windows Team blog post regarding RC expiration
(which refers to the KB article above):
—Geoff
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Technology Discussion at UVM
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Larry Kost
> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 9:31 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Windows 7
>
> I have a Faculty member who installed the
pre-release version of
> Windows 7
> and it is now saying that it will stop working in 13
days. Is it
> possible
> to upgrade to 7 Enterprise, or will it require a
clean install?
>
> LLK