converting the 7 RTM 'ultimate' images to install any verison

_kC_

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Hiya, if you want your "Ultimate" rtm images, to ask for which version of 7 you would like to install.
simply use an iso editor like ultraiso, browse to the sources folder & delete the ei.cfg file.
 
I read this somewhere as well. Though if you have Ultimate, why would you want to install a different version?
 
The only reason I ever considered is if you know for sure that a particular version would be overkill for whoever's computer you're installing on, or if you'd like it to use even less resources in case they have old technology.
 
Yeah, I guess it allows you to get Windows 7 installed a little earlier than the release date and then can activate with your Home Premium / Professional key once you get it.

Does the reload trick still work as the 90 days might work in a few days (without crippling your system)
 
From what I have read you can get 4 months use before having to put in your key.

But you may need to go into the registry and allow rearm.
 
I read that you can get around a year, possibly.

How to Use Windows Vista and 7 for Approx. One Year Without Activation?

Recently we told you how to use Windows Vista and 7 for 120 days without activating or using Product key. Now we'll tell you another method to extend this period for approx. one year.
First read the previous topic:
Extend Windows Vista and 7 Trial Period from 30 Days to 120 Days
You have to use the same slmgr -rearm command in this method too.
So here is the step-by-step method:
1. Click on “Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories“. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run As Administrator“. If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing “cmd” in Startmenu Search box and press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter“.
2. Now provide following command:
slmgr -rearm
3. You'll be prompted to restart Windows, restart it and the trial period will be reset to 30 days again.
4. You can use the same command 3 times. In this way you'll be able to use Windows for 120 days without activation.
5. Now its time for the main trick. Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ SL
6. In right-side pane, change value of SkipRearm to 1.
7. Now you'll be able to use the slmgr -rearm command 8 more times. So you'll get total 360 days for using Vista and 7 without activation:
120 days by using slmgr -rearm command before registry editing​
+​
240 days after registry editing​
||​
360 days​
 
For the record when I tried to create a disc that asked for the version using the method in this thread it did not work. Setup will start but it will come back with an error in the install.wim (or maybe it was boot.wim, can't remember which).

What I ended up doing was installing WAIK (Windows Automated Installation Kit) and vlite. Extracted the files from the ISO, deleted the ei.cfg, started up vlite, pointed it to the extracted files location and told vlite to make a new bootable ISO (skipping all the other stages in vlite).

I believe that this rebuilds the install.wim which allows the setup procedure to continue, maybe I was the only one to have this issue or maybe it only happens when trying to upgrade from vista (Originally I tested from vista and when it didn't work I didn't bother to test booting from the disc).

Either way that's what what worked for me, I have now installed and upgraded both Ultimate and Pro versions with no issues.

Just my $.02

James
 
My question is, why go to all this trouble when you can just use the RC through next year, pending official release of the RTM later this year for everyone without a technet or MSDN subscription?

Also, as others have asked, why would you bother changing the Ultimate version for anything else?

:)
 
My question is, why go to all this trouble when you can just use the RC through next year, pending official release of the RTM later this year for everyone without a technet or MSDN subscription?

Also, as others have asked, why would you bother changing the Ultimate version for anything else?

:)

To answer a question with a question, why use the RC when you have access to the RTM? Granted the company pays for the technet subscription but if it's there and being paid for why not use it? I get to play with the RTM version and can use it to get a head start on setting up a test system at work so that once we're ready to buy our volume licenses we can roll out Windows 7 right away. Besides I had more problems with the RC then with the Beta (drivers mostly), the RTM seems to have cleared these up.

As for your other question it's more convience then anything else. Again I have the licenses through technet and while I may never use a version other than ultimate it's nice to know that if for some unknown odd ball reason I decide to install home basic on my netbook that I don't have to go looking for another disc, or have to download another ISO, I have it setup on a flash drive so I just pop that in and install whatever version I feel like installing at the time.

Plus I was bored and may not be completely sane, but thats beside the point.

James
 
To answer a question with a question, why use the RC when you have access to the RTM? Granted the company pays for the technet subscription but if it's there and being paid for why not use it? I get to play with the RTM version and can use it to get a head start on setting up a test system at work so that once we're ready to buy our volume licenses we can roll out Windows 7 right away. Besides I had more problems with the RC then with the Beta (drivers mostly), the RTM seems to have cleared these up.

As for your other question it's more convience then anything else. Again I have the licenses through technet and while I may never use a version other than ultimate it's nice to know that if for some unknown odd ball reason I decide to install home basic on my netbook that I don't have to go looking for another disc, or have to download another ISO, I have it setup on a flash drive so I just pop that in and install whatever version I feel like installing at the time.

Plus I was bored and may not be completely sane, but thats beside the point.

James

If you have a technet or msdn subscription, you already have access to all the versions. You also have a multi-use key. I don't get what you are saying based on what you get through the subscription versus your goals.
 

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If you have a technet or msdn subscription, you already have access to all the versions. You also have a multi-use key. I don't get what you are saying based on what you get through the subscription versus your goals.

Right, through technet you have access to all the different versions, but each iso will only install the version that is in it's name. For example go to technet and download the ultimate version and try to install Pro, you can't at least not without altering the ISO, if you download the Pro edition from technet then you will not be able to use it to install anything other then pro. Each disc is "locked" to it's version.

So if you wanted to test home premium, pro, and ultimate, you would have to download and burn 3 different ISO's. To avoid this I've downloaded the ultimate iso from technet and have altered it so that I can install Home Basic, Home Premium, Pro, and Ultimate from that one disc. I may never use the other versions but at least if I want to I don't have to go into technet and download another ISO and burn it, or have to keep track of 4 separate discs. IMHO it saves bandwidth, discs, time, and is simply easier to do it this way, but again that could be just me.

Like I said before there is really no reason to do it other then the convenience of being able to install any of the 4 editions of windows 7 from one single disc/Flash Drive should the whim strike me.

As for the keys yes I have seperate multi-use keys for each edition of windows.

James
 

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