Lets face it, if you use a beta OS on your main computer you are taking a risk with your computer and your data.  Not only is this so, but whenever you move to the next version of an OS you should do a fresh install.  Of course, in the real world, a lot of us recognize that Windows 7 beta is more like Windows 7 free trial.  The OS is suitable for daily use and any issues can generally be worked around.  The main exception is for web developers who insist on testing for certain versions of operating systems and browsers, those dirty guys (warn and allow it to work if it can, don’t block and complain).  If you’ve decided that its worth the risk to use the beta on your main PC, or all of your PCs for that matter, you probably also don’t mind taking  your chances with upgrade installs.  I hold this view, although Microsoft differs and many so called experts believe you should always back up your data and then do a fresh install.  Unfortunately, since Microsoft doesn’t support upgrading the Beta of Windows 7 to the Release Candidate, and probably from there to the final either, they cripple the install image by making it check the Windows version, then complain about not being able to upgrade pre-release software and forcing you to end the install.

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