Windows 7—the highly anticipated followup to Windows Vista.
Windows 7 beta will be available as a free, public download on Friday, January 9(USA). For time in USA Click the link here.
After the recent IE shenanigans, all the more I wouldn't trust any beta firmware from Microsoft. IMHO, they should fix and optimize their current products first before releasing new ones.
Whoop de doo a piece of software had a flaw? Both chrome and Safari when launched had very critical bugs on their initial releases and Opera and Firefox have all had bugs over their lifetime.
And the point isn't for people to necessarily "trust" the beta, thats why no one in their right mind recommends it being installed on a critical machine. The very purpose of the beta is to find flaws which they know will exist somewhere and to do so before they release the product. If people don't want to be essentially a tester then they shouldn't be using beta software (and not just from MS).
Difference is M$ are getting free beta testing for a non free product to replace a hugely flawed product - Vista. I actually think this is the smartest thing they've done in a while.
Read some of the reviews on this release and you will change your tune.
they should fix and optimize their current products first before releasing new ones
I thought Windows 7 is just a fix for Windows Vista, which is the broken version of Windows XP :)
I am happy for Microsoft to distribute public betas, which are usually available only to those on MSDN. Good for small time ISVs to ensure their product works on the new version of Windows. We have already had report saying OzBargain does not work properly under Windoze 7 + IE 8. Maybe more people can test it out so that at least OzBargain can be labelled as "Windows 7 ready".
Oh. Ubuntu 9.04 "jaunty" is also on free download beta. But I guess I won't call it a freebie as it has already been free :P
wow nice, i'll download this since i've got excess usage this month and an old Asus Laptop which is still better than half the laptops on the market.
I shall use that to test all new beta's =D
I wouldnt worry as It would appear on torrent sites even if you are late.
ya but its a legitimate test copy of the Windows 7 beta and if they have updates for it you'll be able to update, with the torrent version you probably wont be able to to update.
I cant see it for a download? is it gone?
no they haven't put it up yet as its just morning on the 9th there
It's only 4 AM on the 9th, Jan in the U.S. so I would expect the link to be available earlier tomorrow. I personally already have the ISO but will sign up to grab a key.
Been testing it and very impressed so far. They're talking a late 09 or early '10 release, but it looks like they could have it RTM in 6 months. Vista is holding me down fine, so we'll see how it works out.
ok,thanks.
Summary of what to expect on Friday (US time): http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/01/how-to-get-your.html .
Good luck to those who manage to nab a copy. I won't be trying for one myself (not interested in fiddling with betas), but I'd be keen to hear people's impressions.
I'd love to download this… but I've only got 4 gigs on my quota left.
Think I'll hop down to the net cafe tommorrow AM to grab it… think it'll still be there by then?
sounds good
Heres a better link:
https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40084742
Should be available at Saturday 7am Sydney time
Edit: actually looks like this link is only for technet subscribers
woah, vista didnt last long did it?
All my PC's are Vista free so I can't use the download anyway.
Might download anyway as Microsoft claim that the Beta is like getting Vista Ultimate 64-bit.
"There is also a clean install option for the Win7 beta."
VMWare / VirtualBox / VirtualPC :-)
Just make a new partition and you're all good.
Do you have to be a paid member at technet to download?
Direct links to the downloads are as follows:-
Windows 7 x86 (32 bit) - http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-4…
Windows 7 x64 (64 bit) - http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-4…
These are 2.4GB and 3.2GB files respectively.
You will still need to register for keys. I suppose that will also be limited but not sure where to get that yet.
Cool Antman76, Thanks
Top work AntMan, Thanks for the direct links
Anyone find a list of minimum specs? I don't really want to stuff up my main PC, but might try to install it on a slightly older machine… I couldn't find any minimum specs on the website…
u dont need those silly "vista ready" machines this time
win7 has low system requirements, close to XP
theyve done alot of work to make it work on laptops so it uses less memory than xp on a fresh install and runs faster also.
very impressed, got the build 7000 beta from torrents.
Apparently its less resource intensive than XP. Even netbooks running the Atom processor have sucessfully run it.
None of that is personal experience though so I cant personally vouch for those claims.
Thanks Antman76.
Only 15 hours of download and I'll have the new Windows.
Where the heck do I get a key for this? Getting 13mbit down on this now. At this rate I'll be running this in an hour if I can find a key!
You dont need a key to run it.
Need to activate one in 30 days though.
How are you getting 13Mbit?
60Kbit here :-(
Used a download manager and averaged about 1500KB/s which is my connections maximum.
Update on Windows7 website - Quote: "Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal—we're in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We're sorry for the delay and we'll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience."
Did they actually allow registration for the keys?? Or is that still to come?
Yet to happen. The OS (as downloadable via direct links) is time limited to 30 days but the registration key will keep the beta going till August 1. Registration for the keys is what they have effectively been delaying.
I got a DVD copy of W7 beta just a couple of days ago,, but without a reg' key it's only good for 30 days.
Can someone please update this thread once MS "re-post the Beta" and you can sign up to get the key?
Cheers,
[ :- { )
I probably won't install it but I'm getting it just incase I feel like doing so. :D
beta or not…. this is good !
Guys, if you use the slmgr -rearm command - the beta trial period will extend from 30 days to 120 days (half of the trial period)!
SOURCES: Lifehacker & Computerworld
Does anyone know where to register for a beta key?
To get a key and an ISO download connection - go to http://blog.hznet.nl/2009/01/10/how-to-receive-a-valid-windo… and follow the instructions EXACTLY!!!
Be prepared for a lot of F5 refreshes as the MS server is being hammered but it is more than likely that the key and download screen will come up - it did for me :) about 1/2 an hour ago.
I actually got the download from Antman's post before I found this but the MS page that comes up to give the serial key also has a download button for the ISO.
UPDATE - It looks like I was lucky to get my serial - the pages are very hard to get on to and have been off the air recently.
Funny no-one has blasted MS like so many did to Catch-of-the-Day for having almost exactly the same access problem :/
Ozzie
maybe because microsoft isn't charging for this?
Just checked out of curiosity and the 32 bit version page is also NOT WORKING :(
Ozzie
I tried it as well but it failed for me - same error as the 64-bit page above. Good that it's still working for some.
the MS sites are alive again - just very hard to get on to :/
Ozzie
the links that Antman76 posted are working fine
those were the links that i used a couple of hours ago
and i have to say, Windows 7 is completely smooth
my old Asus laptop couldn't handle vista, not to mention aero…
well it could but laggy
however windows 7…with aero went lag-free xD
and as for the 30 day trial period, just go to mininova and download one of the cracks there, forgot which one but the one i used works, its just got an .exe file and a .txt file
good luck
anyone in melb and willing to give me the copy of it?
I have no bandwidth left to download this. lol
is there anyone in Melbourne who is willing to give me and con4n007 a copy of windows 7?
Is there anyone in Melbourne who is willing to give me, shane_ferns10 and con4n007 a copy of Windows 7 (with Reg keys)? :)
na just a copy of it would be good
The links supplied in the page in my earlier post http://blog.hznet.nl/2009/01/10/how-to-receive-a-valid-windo… are working again.
This will eventually give you a serial and a link to the ISO download - note that many refreshes will probably be required to get on to the overloaded MS servers.
Ozzie
Getting 800K/s off Antman's links.. Thanks mate.
Can't get myself a key though.. :(
Heres how to get a key if your getting errors. You will need Firefox and the Check4change extension installed.
Now go here and follow steps 1 and 2 (http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/10/psstheres-how-to-ge…)
If it errors after step two you should be at a mostly white page that has a line explaining there is a server error. Highlight this server error line, right click it and use the Check4Change extension to auto refresh. You may want to set a time of 2 seconds and have it play a sound. It will auto refresh until you get a page that isn't that error page.
If at any point you get a different error page that is blue and possibly redirects to live search, just repaste the URL provided in the instructions into the address bar to start over. Ohh and that extension works with multiple tabs so again you may want to have 5 running with it set to bring changed tabs to the front.
Yeah I feel dirty hitting a server that hard, I really do, but I guess thats what it takes when inadequate server capacity is supplied. After refreshing periodically for about 5 or 6 hours today at random intervals this was the best way to go. It still may take you a while but it's alot easier on your f5 key.
Thanks for sharing this find - got it running now - no hits over the last 10 minutes tho'
Ozzie
It still took me 20 or 30 mins with about 5 or 6 tabs going at once in 2 second intervals. Still beats hitting refresh manually.
Just make sure once you have a key you stop to make it easier on other people. It's only one key per a person (well account) so even if you get through a second time you'll just get the same key. I think I read somewhere that the keys are good for multiple computers.
after 3 hours of trying, still couldn't get a key!
anyone get one recently?
lifehacker.com said:
One reader suggests that keys are only going out to those who registered earlier today, before the beta was taken down. We can't confirm this, but it seems to hold true for what we're experiencing here at Lifehacker HQ.
seem like only registered technet user with login gets the key now?
@davidl2: ok, strangely, after reply on the post above, I got the keys NOW!!!
both 32bit & 64bit keys available at a instant!!! :D
guys, try it now! it works for me!
@davidl2: On that note 32 bit keys work on x64 installs and vice versa I've been told so you may only need one even if you plan to install both versions.
These links
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Pr…
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Pr…
don't work for me. I get redirected to CES09 page with Balmer's keynote.
Just go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
Click on "Download the Windows 7 Beta" in the menu bar at the top
Follow the instructions from there and unless you have problems with your computer it should just run :)
You MUST use Internet Explorer if you want to download the ISO image - Firefox does not work - dontcha love Microsoft :)
Ozzie
I am in melb and have the 32bit version. Where in Melb are you guys?
Hey I live in Ormond on the Frankstone line do you think we could meet up or something?
I went to the 64 Bit link off the Neowin site and I got it VERY FIRST TIME! I was trying earlier and got nothing!
The keys are SPILLING out. C'mon guys!
yer working all good now i wonder if the keys are the same
here are some if people cant be bothered using the link i think there is 5 codes for each bit 64 and 32.
Anyone elses keys exactly the same as these?
64bit
JYDV8-H8VXG-74RPT-6BJPB-X42V4
D9RHV-JG8XC-C77H2-3YF6D-RYRJ9
7XRCQ-RPY28-YY9P8-R6HD8-84GH3
RFFTV-J6K7W-MHBQJ-XYMMJ-Q8DCH
482XP-6J9WR-4JXT3-VBPP6-FQF4M
32bit
GG4MQ-MGK72-HVXFW-KHCRF-KW6KY
QXV7B-K78W2-QGPR6-9FWH9-KGMM7
TQ32R-WFBDM-GFHD2-QGVMH-3P9GC
6JKV2-QPB8H-RQ893-FW7TM-PBJ73
4HJRK-X6Q28-HWRFY-WDYHJ-K8HDH
lol I got the TQ32R key.
lol i got it too but i still need the installation files any one out there willing to give me the installation files, please.
I posted some links for them a bit further up the page. However if you are in Brisbane I am happy to give you a copy (either version). That applies to anyone else in Brisbane too who wants a copy.
I got the 4HJRK 32 bit key.
gay! the keys I got from MS web site are all listed above! :(
My key isn't any of the above. Weird but.
edit: Maybe has to do when you got them. Got mine yesterday so maybe to help the servers they aren't generating them as they were before.
After trying all day with 3 different browsers, no luck. now it's working first go.
Same for me. Something changed.
The x64 key and 32bit key I got are listed above…dodgy
Seems that only a set of 5 different keys are issued as above. Might as well use those, although I found it relatively easy to get them a few minutes ago., unlike last night.
You can get the keys for both 32bit & x64 versions via the Windows 7 home page now.
The iso download also seem to be fast atm. 500-700kB+.
This might get picked up with an automatic update of Windows 7 after you install, but just be aware of an issue with regards to MP3s. There is a bug where if you open an mp3 in the media player of Win7, it will truncate the first couple of seconds of your song. The original solution was to make your MP3s read-only but now there is a page where you can download the fix.
http://www.redmondpie.com/fix-for-windows-7-beta-mp3-corrupt…
This used to be on the TechNet page but I cant find it now. As I said, hopefully it updates via auto update but dont go running your mp3s until this fix (or an update) has been run.
If you want to get the fix straight from MS you can find it at these links:
x86 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a75…
x64 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0c5…
If for some reason these don't work just search for KB961367 in google.
I can confirm that duplicate keys were coming through.
Strange, my first 64 bit key from when the servers were still unstable was different from those 5 listed. But the keys I got this morning is one of them.
A bit of IMPORTANT official windows 7 news from http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/default.aspx which is the windows 7 team blog.
Due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience. We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit.
I also saw a comment that you can ONLY download the ISO from the key display screen if you are using Internet Explorer - apparently it does not work in Firefox, which has been my experience this morning -
Just confirmed (15:00) that download works easily in Internet Explorer - Does not work in FireFox :(
Ozzie
any 1 willing to give me the installation files, please. I live in Melbourne on the Frankstone line
Downloaded the iso and got my key, now i just have to get around to runnin it up in a VM. See how it is compared to the pre-release.
Firefox works 100% to get the beta key.
Firefox works 100% to download the iso files directly.
Just curious - did you down the ISO image file directly from the serial display page using the 'Download Now' button or did you, like me. get it directly from the MS url for the file?
Why I ask, is that I was referring above to the MSoft sequence to obtain the file which I tried and the page kept having trouble connecting but with Internet Exprorer it was immediate connection.
Ozzie
yeah, I had the same problem on that site with firefox as well. So many other MS live websites work with firefox these days i was suprised it didn't work.
The direct iso links i was talking about are http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-4… and http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-4… which were posted by AntMan76
I'd be happy to send the discs out Australia-wide for the cost of postage + 30c for the DVD.
That is very generous! Can I please get the 64bit one..?
omg thank you can you please post me one.
can i please put my name down for one?
Installed it last night and been using today and very impressed so far. A couple of graphic glitches on my setup but that's to be expected. Other than that seems quite stable and definitely seems quicker than Vista.
thanks man, finally downloaded it, got it working, it's good, really good, cant wait for the finished piece.
looks good i'm gonna download it!
anyone who wants a copy x64 nstall DVD or VMWARE 6.5 image DVD
No charge - pickup only brisbane city or gold coast - robina (weekends)
Hi, would you send one to Sydney? Please.. The above poster has not replied with his offer… I'll pay for the postage. Please send me an email. Thank you.
Hi, would you be able to send one me one too, i live in Melbourne.
Please no one has replied or been nice enough to give me a copy of it. I’ll pay for the postage. My email [email protected] Please send me an email if you could send me a copy. Thank you.
Clearly says pickup only
gee sorry
my brother told me about this and we needed it for my computer.
Thanks so much, i've been looking for it everywhere.
Thanks shane_ferns10
Please note: