14 DAY TRIAL // Time is running out for the Release Candidate of Windows 7. Come April 23, 2010, Build 7100 will be just one month and seven days away from the last stage of expiration, which will end up rendering the operating system useless. Starting on June 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC will behave in the same manner as any non-genuine copy of Windows released after Windows XP. Essentially, Microsoft will not differentiate in any way between Windows 7 RC and a pirated version of the platform.
Here is the experience that users will come across if they insist on running Windows 7 RC after June 1: “Windows starts to a black desktop. Windows 7 RC users are presented with a Windows Activation screen. The screen states that the Windows that you are running is not genuine. Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours,” Microsoft revealed.
In addition to the black desktop, the “This copy of Windows is not genuine” messages, and constant reboots, Windows 7 RC users won’t be able to access any optional updates or downloads that have genuine Windows validation as a prerequisite. The fact of the matter is that customers still running Windows 7 RC are stretching their luck as it is, and should consider either upgrading to the RTM version, released six months ago to the day, or revert back to their previous operating system.
Windows 7 RC Build 7100 was offered to early adopters on May 5, 2010. It was the second major testing release of Windows 7 after the Beta Build 7000 milestone delivered in January. And although speculation from various sources indicated that Microsoft had produced at least another Release Candidate (RC2), which it dogfooded (tested internally), RC1 remained the only Release Candidate users got to test.
One easy solution for users looking to move away from Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 RTM without paying a single cent is to download Windows 7 RTM Enterprise trial version. The 90-day trial release will continue to be available until the end of 2010.
Microsoft Windows 7 90-Day Eval VHD is available for download here.
Another Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.
Windows 7 RTM Starter Edition, 100-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Home Basic 110-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Home Premium 120-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Professional 110-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 100-Screenshot Gallery