Windows 7 RTM – My first install

I just posted the following on my FriendFeed feed:

#Windows7RTM 64-bit box final – 75+ apps 36 good Windows updates 5 failed 17 hrs tot. Whew! glad it’s over. Process stinks. Macs are easier.

I am my own guinea pig. I never recommend products that I haven’t tried myself. My experience with Windows 7 betas and the release candidate were overwhelmingly positive on all the machines on which I installed it. So I was excited by the prospect of loading the final version (RTM or release to manufacturing copy). I downloaded my copies of the 64-bit and 32-bit installation files on Thursday.

Yesterday, I started first thing in the morning the process of installing Windows 7 RTM on my main computer. I built this computer over the Memorial Day weekend in anticipation of getting Windows 7 64-bit. It is a tower computer running an Intel i7 820 CPU (quad core, 8 virtual cores) with 12GB of RAM, 4 TB of storage and using a premium ASUS motherboard.

1. The first things I did were to run the Windows Easy Transfer application to collect settings and files I wanted to migrate from the RC version to the RTM. I also took screenshots of key items like the arrangement of the taskbar so that I wouldn’t have to remember how the desktop was arranged. I recorded the drive letter arrangement since in my experience Windows has a habit of being somewhat random on this from install to install. I also deactivated programs like iTunes and Adobe Fireworks CS4 so that I would be able to reinstall them without running into installed machine limits. (Ain’t DRM a bitch?)

2. I then copied the Windows 7 RTM files from the downloaded ISO to a USB drive which I thought was properly prepared. It wasn’t. I had to get it ready to be bootable and then recopy 3GB of files. I planned on using this drive as the installation medium.

3. Next I installed Windows 7 RTM 64-bit on the machine as a fresh install. Paul Thurrott, a Windows expert, suggests that it is better not to corrupt a new operating system with beta cruft. I agree. This process segregated the old Windows directory, program files directories, and a few other folders in a new folder named Windows.old.

4. Then I waited. But not too long. Windows 7 installed in about 15 to 20 minutes.

5. The first thing I did after Windows 7 was done installing was to run Windows Easy Transfer to copy over my settings and selected files from the now defunct Windows 7 RC version (see step 1 above). This worked well.

6. I ran my first Windows Update. Five of the updates failed to install. I do not know or care why.

7. I began installing applications, beginning with Microsoft Security Essentials.

8. Seventeen work hours after I began, after installing and configuring over 75 applications, 36 good Windows updates, numerous application patches and updates, and tweaking system features, I pronounced the setup done.

During this process I wasted two hours on a failed install of Apple iTunes/QuickTime and the Safari browser. I do not know what went wrong. But after rebooting, uninstalling what was there and reinstalling these applications, they now seem to be properly installed and working.

I also wasted about the same amount of time wrestling with Logitech webcam software and Skype. The newest version of Skype would not install. I kept getting an "error 1601" message. Fortunately, I have a copy of an older version that installed without issue.

I also had some issue with Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview (a beta) that seemed not to install but after a reboot everything was there and working.

Other than the above every other application installed without apparent issue.

So where do I stand after the above?

Seventeen hours is much too long to spend on setting up a new computer. Yes, I do have many more applications and customizations than the ordinary user. I would guess that an XP to Windows 7 conversion, which is similar to what I did in going from RC to RTM, will take about 6 to 8 hours of total time. This assumes that a user has all their application installation media handy. This is uncommon in my experience. Vista to Windows 7 upgrades should be much easier.

Windows 7 is the best version of Windows ever. However, upgrading from XP to Windows 7 will be similar to the above. It will be more complex than it need be, take longer than you think and leave you exhausted if you try to do it all at once, as I did. But go ahead and make the leap. XP is too insecure for my liking. It is long-in-the tooth and should be retired.

Note: I have not installed XP Mode on the Windows 7 RTM 64-bit as it is still a release candidate version (RC). I had so much trouble last week moving from the XP Mode beta to RC under Windows 7 RC that I intend to wait for the RTM version until I next install it on this hardware.

XP Mode is a complete, free, licensed virtual Windows XP machine that will be available for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate versions.