Windows 7 Beta (READ THIS!)

[Lucas]

Windows 7 Beta

Servers are down, but they are adding more

Shouldn't be long.TIP: It might be in your best interest to snag a copy of Windows 7 beta and actively test the OS, even if beta testing really isn't your thing. Official beta testers who downloaded Vista back when it was in beta form and submitted at least one bug report ended up being rewarded with a free copy of Vista Business or Ultimate. That doesn't guarantee Microsoft will do the same with Windows 7, so decide for yourself is the risk is worth the potential worth reward.

[Lucas]

Hmm, must be a huge load, they are still down.

[shayward]

I've got good hopes for Windows 7. It will basically be Vista R2 but that's okay by me.

[bggowing]

To install Windows 7 you'll either need a clean install or you'll need to upgrade from Vista SP1. You can't go from XP to Windows 7.

[blonborg]

It took me about 2.5 hours to download the 2.6Gb file Thursday night. I have a Technet subscription here at home, as was able to get it and the patch. I haven't installed it yet, but plan to do it this weekend.

I use VMware workstation for software evaluation (Windows, Linux), testing, etc., so I'll be installing it in that environment. While, one can't see things like the Aero interface in Vista, I can play with the software in a safe environment.

[Lucas]

I'm downloading it now... slowly.

A mere 1 week remaining... so much for Akamai

[Lucas]

Oh, BTW.

Product keys will only be made available to the first 2.5 million people to register at Microsoft's official Windows 7 Beta site. Demand will be huge, so prepare to act quickly.

As in NOW.

[Lucas]

• If you use these links, you will still need to get a product key from Microsoft once the Windows 7 site updates or you will be restricted to a 30-day trial.
  • Windows 7 x86 (32bit)
  • Windows 7 x64 (64 bit)
• Product keys will only be made available to the first 2.5 million people to register at Microsoft's official Windows 7 Beta site. Demand will be huge, so prepare to act quickly.
• The beta will be available on Friday afternoon. Other links have surfaced, but they aren't 100% working and they aren't official anyway.
• Windows 7 Beta 1 will be offered as an ISO image. It's around 2.5 or 3 gigabytes, so you will need a DVD burner if you want to install it.
• You will be required to register before downloading so Microsoft can give you a product key.
• It will be build 7000.
• The beta will only support Windows Vista SP1 to Windows 7 upgrades. If you're not running Vista SP1 right now, upgrade before you try to install the Windows 7 beta.
• There is also a clean install option for the Win7 beta.
• There is no upgrade path from XP.
• There's only one version of the beta, which Microsoft says "is roughly equivalent the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista."
• The Windows 7 Beta will expire on August 1. You will probably be forced to go back to using Vista SP1 on August 1 (or maybe upgrade to Win7 Beta 2?).
• English, German, Japanese, Arabic, and Hindi versions will be available Friday.
• Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions will be available (except for Hindi, which only gets a 32-bit version).
• If you're upgrading, remember to back up your PC. It's a beta, stupid!

If you miss out, there will be other ways to get the beta in the near future. It's likely Microsoft will be handing out hard DVDs of the code at developer events and consumer conferences throughout the year.

[voyager529]

if my laptop weren't a house of cards and void of a backup, I'd have it installed right now.

Once this weekend is over, I'll install the 64-bit version and post a report. I'll test Mediashout, Adobe CS3 suite (possibly CS4 if it arrives), and...whatever else I have on hand to test.

Any programs you guys want to know about compatibility for, feel free to PM me and ask. I'll try to grab the EasyWorship and SongShow Plus demos and check them out if I've got time.

Joey

[Lucas]

And Joey, Submit a Big Report!

Chances are you'll get it when it's released for FREE!

[AlexH237]

Originally Posted by voyager529

if my laptop weren't a house of cards and void of a backup, I'd have it installed right now.

Once this weekend is over, I'll install the 64-bit version and post a report. I'll test Mediashout, Adobe CS3 suite (possibly CS4 if it arrives), and...whatever else I have on hand to test.

Any programs you guys want to know about compatibility for, feel free to PM me and ask. I'll try to grab the EasyWorship and SongShow Plus demos and check them out if I've got time.

Joey

Yes, testing out CS3 would be awesome! I'm on XP now but would love to be able to use the beta (XP has been giving me a lot of problems lately, I don't think it likes one of my harddrives. I am hoping Windows 7 will fix that.). I would have to know if CS3 worked first though, since I need to be able to use it. I got my product key just now...

[greg4god]

I got my copy thursday at work. I have installed it on a test computer, and so far seems good. I'm using that system to also evaluate Zend Studio 6 nad Dreamweaver CS4.

So far, so good. I've not played with vista itself yet, so can't really give impressions of it over vista.

I did notice on the license for the install, it did say the copy expires Aug 1, 2009.

-Greg