14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is not providing a free slipstreamed copy of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 for users to test, as it does for Windows 7 RTM.
Still, it’s quite easy for customers to test not only the RTM Build of the platform, complete with the first upgrade, without paying a single cent.
All they need is to download the free Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial ISO that the software giant continues to offer to IT professionals.
Those that aren’t IT professionals needn’t worry, they can still access the free Windows 7 RTM download by simply claiming to be an IT pro.
Once users get the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial they need only install it, then grab either the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) corresponding Service Pack 1 release and deploy it on top.
There is still plenty of time to get the free trial of Windows 7 RTM, according to the software giant:
“The 90-day Trial is offered for a limited time and in limited quantity. The download will be available through December 31, 2011, while supplies last.”
Of course, SP1 RTM downloads will also be live for quite some time, even after Microsoft will release Windows 7 Service Pack 2 (SP2) which is already under development.
Provided that they have a Windows 7 DVD at their disposal, users can simply install the operating system in trial mode, then deploy SP1, and rearm it via slmgr –rearm for free usage up to 120 days.
MSDN and TechNet subscribers get all the Windows 7 SP1 RTM releases as slipstreamed ISO images included in their subscription.
As far as I’m concerned, Microsoft should also offer a public trial of Windows 7 SP1 RTM, providing a slipstream ISO image. Still, with a bit of effort, customers can still take Windows 7 SP1 RTM out for a spin free of charge, at least for 90 days.
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM are available for download here.
Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.