14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft went live with the public release of Windows 7 Beta on January 9, 2009, just to discontinue downloads by the end of the very same day, citing server overload due to the high volume of traffic and the need to beef up its infrastructure. However, fact is that, while all the official sources of Windows 7 Beta have stopped offering the operating system, the bits continue to be available via direct download links. In this context, Windows 7 Beta is available for download right here on Softpedia, both the 32-bit version 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULFRE_EN_DVD, and the 64-bit flavor 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULXFRE_EN_DVD.
Initially, the company planned to deliver Win 7 Beta to up to 2.5 million users starting January 9. Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2) was indeed released to the general public ahead of the weekend, with the public Beta program of the server edition of Win 7 offering a smooth experience. Not the same could be said about Windows 7 client Beta, with Microsoft.com servers incapable of dealing with the huge traffic numbers, a scenario which prompted the Redmond company to announce that the availability of the public Beta was postponed.
With the software giant flexing its server muscles and rebuilding the Microsoft.com infrastructure dedicated to Windows 7 Beta, users have been left in the dark as to when the bits of the operating system will be made available again. At the same time, Microsoft has failed to disclose the exact volume of traffic that left the Windows 7 hotspots on Microsoft.com and TechNet useless throughout January 9. Fact is that there have been no reports of successful downloads of Windows 7 Beta from any official Microsoft sources, or of the product keys for the operating system, for that matter.
“When we update you - we want to make sure the entire process is online and working. Unfortunately, we're not at that point yet, and some things (like getting product keys) may or may not work, or may work sometimes and not other times,” Brandon LeBlanc, Windows communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, revealed. “I have no ETA on when everything will be online at Windows.com for you to start downloading and accessing product keys, but I can assure you when we have another update I will be posting it. We are fully committed to keeping you updated, which is why we made this post earlier today. When we have more to add, we will do so. I apologize for the delay and it is great to see so many people excited to test out Windows 7.”
Downloading Windows 7 Beta
On January 09, 2009, at 8:38PM, LeBlanc stated that “As far as I know, it's still Jan. 9th here in Redmond and I didn't give out a specific time here in my blog posts on when we'd go live with the Windows 7 Beta,” in response to users who were reporting not being able to access the Beta.
However, Windows 7 Beta was and still is, in fact, available for download. The direct download links were initially published by Tweakers, and remained live at the time this article was written, despite Microsoft officially shutting down downloads of Windows 7 Beta. All you have to do in order to grab the Beta bits, is to navigate to this page on Softpedia, hit the Download button, and then choose between the x86 or x64 versions of the platform. As you will be able to see, both of the links belong to Microsoft.com.
Installing Windows 7 Beta
The 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Beta have been packaged as ISO images. This means that the end-users will have to burn the images onto DVDs, or simply capture them in Virtual PC 2007, if they will install the operating system in a virtual machine using Microsoft's free virtualization solution. Use the screenshots integrated with this article, in order to get an idea of what deploying Windows 7 Beta 1 feels like.
Still, despite the Beta 1 bits being available through the direct download links, the public product keys for the operating system are a whole different matter altogether. “You will have to wait for us to officially go live with the Windows 7 Beta via Windows.com and register to get your product key,” LeBlanc stated.
One alternative method to obtain Windows 7 Beta is to sign-in TechNet Downloads, and copy and paste the following links in the address bar: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033 (for 32-bit key), or https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033 (for 64-bit). Reports indicate that, given sufficient determination and a consistent number of refreshes, the page will eventually offer Windows 7 Beta product keys. Otherwise, you can wait until Microsoft starts offering both Windows 7 Beta and product keys officially again.
Here are a few excerpts from the Windows 7 Beta 1 EULA – End Users License Agreement for Microsoft pre-release software license terms – Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System Beta:
- Installation and use rights – You may install and use any number of copies of the software on your premises to design, develop, and test your programs for use with the software. You may not use the software in a live operating environment, unless Microsoft permits you to do so under another agreement.
This software will stop running on August 1, 2009. You may not receive any other notice. You may not be able to access data used with the software when it stops running.
The terms of this agreement will expire on August 1, 2009. You have the right to use the software under the license terms of this agreement during this period. If you do not have a product key, you may need to reinstall the software every 30 days.
- Use with virtualization technologies – Instead of using the software directly on the licensed device, you may install and use the software within only one virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. When used in a virtualized environment, content protected by digital rights management technology, BitLocker or any full volume disk drive encryption technology may not be as secure as protected content not in a virtualized environment.
What's the status now?
Well, on January 10, 2009, at 12:43AM, LeBlanc informed that “We continue to work to add servers to Microsoft.com to support the demand of the Windows 7 Beta. Part of adding servers is also network configurations to ensure everything works correctly.” On January 10, 2009, at 1:00AM, the same LeBlanc added that “I don't have a timeframe to give you. I think its awesome you['re] so dedicated to trying out the beta (...). Rest assured I am sitting here working very hard to get you all an update.”
On January 10, 2009, at 3:26AM, a very dedicated LeBlanc said that “I spent the last few hours in a conference room here in Redmond with a wonderful group of people dedicated to getting the Windows 7 Beta online for folks. We are continuing to add servers and tweak a few things on the network site to enable us to open access to the Beta. Some of the folks I've been spending time with in this conference room will be working overnight. I know many of you are concerned about getting a product key for the Windows 7 Beta, and concerned about missing your chance to get a product key. I can't say much on this just yet, but I will say you this: don't worry.”
Microsoft did not provide a deadline as to when it planned to go live with the Windows 7 downloads again. Judging by the information delivered by LeBlanc (who made an excellent effort in keeping users up-to-date), the software giant is hard at work on getting the infrastructure up and running for the delivery of Windows 7 Beta.
In the meantime, the direct download links are still live, and you can grab Windows 7 Beta here.