Detailed Windows 7 6956 VHD installation instructions emerge

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Saturday, 06 December 2008 17:44

Opinion and Analysis

Read the original article for all the exact details, but the site gives its own “breakdown” of what needs to be done.

This breakdown is as follows:

“There are plenty of methods to install Windows 7 build 6956 into your PC, but the concept is essentially the same: User will need to copy the Windows 7 system files from the VHD to a partition that he or she wants the Windows 7 build 6956 to run, and then make sure the boot sector is OK, and if required, to reset the Windows 7 to clean original state.

“Thus the steps detailed below is just for a guide, and the actual implementation may vary according to your own need, or the tool that you have.

“All methods below is for ‘upgrade installing’ (not exactly upgrade, as existing data will be lost) existing partition with Windows 7 build 6801 to build 6956, but it may also works for new partition, harddisk or machine.”

As I noted above, the original article is where you’ll find the two detailed methods for dedicated Windows 7 fans desperate or simply determined to make it work.

No doubt even more instructions and debate will emerge over the next few days, but I’m personally going to wait for the official beta version instead.

It’s not far away, and will theoretically be an even newer build than 6956 by that time, and won’t require anywhere near as much fiddling around. Instead it’ll be a simple legal ISO download and a straightforward installation.

Steve Ballmer is also said to be ready to do his monkey dance (or is that a money dance?) at the pre-CES keynote long delivered by Bill Gates, but now in Ballmer’s hands.

He’s supposed to be demonstrating the official Windows 7 beta to the world, and it’s safe to say anyone interested in operating systems is keen to see what surprises Ballmer pulls out of the hat – new features not yet seen in any build, or things we simply didn’t know.

If it’s just a repeat of what was seen at the PDC, but instead in front of a “wider audience”, that will be very boring.

So, whether you’re a fan of Steve Ballmer or want to throw chairs around just thinking about him, let’s hope he puts on a good show.

In the meantime, if you’re dead keen to try Windows 7 6956 on for size, at least some instructions are now available.

Update: Here's the link to my new "Windows 7 6956 VHD converted to ISO already!" story.