Just one day ahead of the initial deadline for the discontinuation of Windows 7 Beta unlimited public downloads (January 24), Microsoft managed to breathe additional life into Build 7000 of the next iteration of the Windows client. Downloads of the operating system have already passed the 2.5 million limit, the original milestone at which the company was considering closing the Beta program, as Brandon LeBlanc, Windows Communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, indicated that the Win 7 engineering team now has more than enough of both Beta testers and feedback. Still, Windows 7 Beta will continue to be available to the general public until February 10, 2009. 

“Because enthusiasm continues to be so high for the Windows 7 Beta and we don’t want anyone to miss out we will keep the Beta downloads open through February 10th. Customers who have started but not completed the download process will be able to do so through February 12th. The shutdown of general availability for the Windows 7 Beta will occur in 3 phases over the course of the next few weeks,” LeBlanc revealed.

Microsoft will continue to offer product keys for Windows 7 Beta even after the downloads of the platform's milestone will be pulled off. In this regard, keys will continue to be live even after February 12, 2009, enabling users that have grabbed the Windows 7 Beta bits to activate the operating system even after the software giant will stop serving the platform to users.

“Starting January 27th, the Windows 7 page will be updated with a warning that time is running out on downloading the Windows 7 Beta and that we will be limiting downloads shortly. People will be encouraged to register and start the download of the Windows 7 Beta sooner rather than later. February 10th, new downloads of the Windows 7 Beta will no longer be available. People who have already started their Windows 7 Beta download and have not yet finished will still be able to finish their download and are encouraged to do so. February 12th, people will no longer be able to complete their download of the Windows 7 Beta. Anyone who hasn’t finished downloading the Windows 7 Beta will be unable to do so,” LeBlanc stated.

Windows 7 Beta is available for download here.

Product keys to activate Windows 7 Beta are available here.