Subscribe to our Download the official Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) for free (good through July 2009)
The official release of Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) is available for free download, starting today.
Stuff you need to know:
- Windows 7 RC (32 and 64 bit) will be available for public download through July 2009, and there is no limit on the number of Product Keys being issued.
- Each version, 32 bit and 64 bit, is available in five languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish.
- The RC expires on June 1, 2010.
- Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you’ll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010.
- The program download requires a Windows Live account and you'll need to fill out a brief form. (probably a Passport or a hotmail address would work as well - I logged in using Windows Live)
- A Release Candidate is not the final release of a program.
- The download file format is .iso, the image needs to be burned before you can install it.
- If you don't have a favorite CD/DVD burning program, the Best Free CD / DVD Burning Software has suggestions.
What you need to run Windows RC:
- 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
- Internet access (to download Windows 7 RC and get updates)
Note: the download is right at 2.4 GB - its probably going to take a few hours even on a high speed connection.
- As always, its best to make a complete back up of your system before installing any new operating system.
For directions on how to image your hard drive, see Gizmo's 3 part article here: Never Re-install Windows Again Part 1
You can also check out the Best Free Backup Program for backup recommendations.
The Windows 7 RC download page has information on Windows 7, installation instructions, and a FAQ.
It would be a very good idea to read the details to avoid any mishaps with your system.
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This is only a release candidate, i h a gut feeling when the Final Verison os out , we'll find a lot changes in the RC n Final Version.
The main reason the Win7 is fast, is because MS has exclude any background functions. n most of all it a RC.
I don't think Windows 7 looks as polished as Vista, it's nearly time for RTM and still looks unfinished!
Doesn't this (Vista) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/54/Windows_Aero.png
Look better than this (Windows 7) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Windows_7.png
I have never used Vista before, I just installed Windows 7 RC on a separate partition to keep my XP but I think Vista looks more polished.
This forum explains some things, I agree with the person who started it. Some agree with her, some don't, does anyone else agree with on this?
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=765980
It's way faster, less annoying, and more compatible than Vista, and most people prefer the way Windows 7 looks keeping the transparency on maximized windows.
Win 7 officially due out in October: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/02/microsoft_confirms_october_windo...
...with some security issues though!?
Please provide a link describing the "security issues".
As above 'Related Stories' - don't know whether they're still outstanding or not!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/06/win7_hacker_risk_fail/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/08/win7_rootkit_poc/
Also for eg:
http://www.itpro.co.uk/611365/windows-7-security-still-has-room-for-impr...
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=115453
Was just asking the Q re security! Again, dont know whether anything is still outstanding! Probably not by October!
Thanks for the links!
Excellent work rhiannon, I don't know where you find the time.
I've been playing with Win 7 (RC Build 7100 dual booting with XP) and am reasonably happy with it. My questions are,
- if I get even more comfortable with it, will I be able to load a purchased copy on top of it or will I have to reconfigure everything all over again?
- am I missing something, it doesn't really seem like $100 - $300 better than XP? Prettier maybe. . .better???
According to Microsoft, you will have to do a clean install if you decide to use the final release of Windows 7. They don't recommend an upgrade.
Better than XP? Oy, what a question. Operating systems are different things to different people. I don't mind changes for the most part and enjoy using new stuff, but other folks don't like changes, which is completely understandable. If you aren't that crazy about your computer anyway and then something comes along to change how you use it, it can be pretty annoying.
I'm going out on a limb here and will probably take some hits, but this has been my experience with Vista.
I was fortunate enough to go to some of the Microsoft sponsored workshops that were going on all around the USA when Vista rolled out.
What that gave me was an excellent overview of Vista, what it would do, and what it wouldn't. Flaws and features. Usually I learn about new operating systems in dribs and drabs.
It made the transition to Vista painless because I knew how to use it and how it differed from XP.
I'll just say that this was the first time I was ever impressed by a Microsoft product. I don't impress easily and I've been using Windows since 3.1. I've thought that everything up to Vista was, well, pretty mediocre as far as productivity went.
I got Vista as soon as it hit the shelves and haven't looked back,other than to play with Linux.
Vista has its quirks, as do all operating systems, but Vista has been rock solid for me, easier for me to use than XP, and it needs little tweaking out of the box.
I haven't had one crash or blue screen. I should probably mention that the system I run is one I built, so I started with an empty slate. No pre-installed anything.
Do I think its worth the money to upgrade from XP? For myself, absolutely.
For others? I imagine there will be some kicking and screaming when they have to change, whether its to another Windows system, a Mac or Linux.
I think Windows 7 adds some improvements in some areas and some new features, but its much like Vista.
If I were using XP, I would wait and make the jump Windows 7. There isn't a direct upgrade path from XP to Windows 7, and Windows 7 isn't so different from Vista that it would be worth getting Vista and then getting Windows 7.
Oh, and I like the ribbon bar in Office too. = O
I have two 360GB drives on my computer. How could I arrange to install Windows 7 on the drive I don't use for anything else and retain my existing systems on the other drive? Any suggestions will be appreciated.
That's a good question. I always installed operating systems on to one hard drive.
Anyone have any experience with this one?
I am already using Windows 7 beta do I need to get this one or will Windows 7 beta upgrade to this version?
Thanks
Nope, the beta won't upgrade - here's the upgrade path from the Windows 7 RC site:
If you’ve installed Windows 7 Beta on your PC, you’ll need to back up your data, and do a clean installation of the RC. Then you’ll need to reinstall your programs and restore the files, settings, and other information you want to use for testing.
Could I remove it later by simple uninstall?
From Microsoft's site:
Removing the RC
The Windows 7 RC will stop working on June 1, 2010.
To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or the final released version of Windows 7 before the expiration date.
We recommend doing a custom (clean) installation.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/installation-instructions.asp...
Absolutely not!
Here are your options, but there may be more:
1. (not recommended) Upgrade Vista to W7 (not sure if the RC will let you do this). You will not be able to return to Vista.
2. (not recommended) Wipe your disk completely (removing current OS) and perform clean W7 install. Again, you will not be able to return to old OS.
3. (not recommended) Make an image of your current system partition (see parts 1-3 of: http://www.techsupportalert.com/partitioning-hard-drives-1.htm), save it somewhere safe. Then do #1 or #2 (above). If everything works correctly, you should be able to return to your saved system (but don't blame me if you can't).
4. (RECOMMENDED) Install W7 on another machine, on a virtual machine (e.g. Virtual PC), or on another partition (i.e., dual boot, but not recommended for novices). This way you do not disturb your current OS and can return to it while you are playing with W7 and when you are done playing.
Am I missing any other ways?
Andrew Seward
Bets46 Category Editor
Could someone post intructions on how to create a bootable partition that I could restore my vista 32 bit image onto and upgrade that and have a dual boot system with both OS's?
Anyone
Andy :)
Will having Release Candidate be available for updates and if you get the updates will it be much different from final version? will it be hard to revert back to vista?
According to Microsoft, 'While we consider this a stable and high-quality pre-release version of Windows, the RC is not the finished product.'
It does get updates, but my understanding is that once they have the Release Candidate out, they don't add new features. The Release Candidate is basically to work out any bugs that didn't surface during beta testing.
That's why they suggest you don't install it on your main machine or business computer and make a complete image of your hard drive before you install the RC.
About reverting, Microsoft says this:
"Before the expiration date, you'll need to reinstall a prior version of Windows or the final released version of Windows 7. . Microsoft recommends doing a custom (clean) installation."
All the gory details are on the download page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx
I was going to give it a whirl. But you can't upgrade from winxp so it will require a clean install. I just do not want the hassle of reinstalling a ton of apps and games. I am however curious to see how microsoft has learned from the disastrous Vista.
Your right, you can't upgrade from XP, and you can't upgrade from the Windows 7 beta version.
Who knows what Microsoft learned from Vista, but I bet part of it has to do with marketing and advertising. = )
Hi Rhiannon - Good job, thanks. Just one point for possible correction....It is my understanding that since Vista the installation file does not necessarily need to be burned to DVD. The installation can be initiated from within an existing OS by just unpacking the files and then running 'Setup'.
cheers...JIM
Hmmmmm, I didn't try that. The download came as an .iso so I just burned it to DVD. That's what the Microsoft says to do.
Sheesh, I didn't even think of unpacking the files. = O
Thanks for tip!
Highly recommended! - better than the beta and still much faster than vista :)
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