14 DAY TRIAL // 1. Windows 7 Beta – why?
Beta is a label synonymous with a critical milestone in the development of Microsoft's Windows operating systems, as it marks the company moving away from dogfooding and testing internally early Alpha Builds towards the point where the product meets the necessary quality standard to be made available as a preview release to the general public. Microsoft is essentially inviting the public to lend a helping hand in building the next iteration of the Windows platform, by testing the operating system and providing feedback, which permits the company to soften all the rough edges of the software before RTM.
“We need a bit of information so we can gather your feedback and in case we need to send information about the Beta. We will also collect automated reporting feedback from PCs running the Beta to help collectively analyze issues and file bug reports where appropriate,” Microsoft informed.
2. Windows 7 Beta – what?
Microsoft is developing its Windows client and server operating systems in parallel. The synchronized development process has resulted in theWindows 7 client Beta and Windows 7 Server Beta (Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta) to be offered almost concomitantly.
3. Windows 7 Beta – when?
Windows 7 Beta client downloads went live on January 10, 2009. Windows Server 2008 R2 downloads were accessible as of January 9, 2009.
4. Why wasn't Windows 7 Beta client offered on January 9, as initially planned?
Microsoft postponed the availability of Windows 7 Beta client by one day “due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal, so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience,” a Microsoft spokesperson revealed to Softpedia.
5. Windows 7 Beta – where to download?
Windows 7 client both 32-bit and 65-bit editions is available for download here. The bits are the Ultimate SKU of Windows 7. For the Windows 7 Home Premium Beta edition (both x86 and x64 flavors) you will have to read this article in order to access the download. At the same time, Windows 7 Server Beta (Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta) can be downloaded via this link, only for 64-bit and Itanium systems. Best use Internet Explorer 7, IE8 Beta 2, or Firefox, if you plan to download Windows 7 Beta from Microsoft.
6. What exactly is Microsoft offering?
Windows 7 Beta Build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400. Microsoft has released Windows 7 Beta client in Arabic, English, German, Hindi and Japanese for the 32-bit version, and in Arabic, English, German, and Japanese for the 64-bit one. Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta is up for grabs in English, German and Japanese for both 64-bit and Itanium systems.
7. What about Windows 7 product keys?
Windows 7 Beta client product keys can be accessed from Microsoft, you will be able to find a list further down in the FAQ. Keys are available via this link, simply scroll down and select the version of the operating system you have downloaded, or want to download, and the company will offer a product key for the Beta. You will need to have a Windows Live ID.
For Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta the product keys are: TFGPQ-J9267-T3R9G-99P7B-HXG47 (forWindows Server 2008 R2 Beta Enterprise); 2T88R-MBH2C-M7V97-9HVDW-VXTGF (for Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Standard); GQJJW-4RPC9-VGW22-6VTKV-7MCC6 (for Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Datacenter); CQ936-9K2T8-6GPRX-3JR9T-JF4CJ (for Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta for Itanium Based Systems); and GT8BY-FRKHB-7PB8W-GQ7YF-3DXJ6 (for Windows Web Server 2008 R2 Beta).
8. Is there a time limit, or a downloads limit for accessing the Windows 7 Beta?
On the Windows 7 Beta download page Microsoft continues to claim that “The Beta is free and available to the first 2.5 million people who download it, starting January 9, 2009.” But, in fact, the Redmond company is offering unlimited downloads of Windows 7 Beta throughout January 24. Come January 24, Microsoft will discontinue downloads of Windows 7 Beta.
9. Will product keys be made available for all the people that download Windows 7 Beta even after the 2.5 M milestone, or just for the first 2.5 M users?
Here is what a Microsoft spokesperson told Softpedia: “We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided [to] remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta, even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit.”
10. What will happen if by January 24, Microsoft does not reach the limit of 2.5 million testers? Will downloads of Win 7 beta continue even after that date until the 2.5 M mark is reached?
“Please check back with us closer to the 24th, and we may have more to share,” a Microsoft spokesperson revealed.
11. Can Microsoft be milked for all it's worth when it comes down to Windows 7 Beta product keys?
Well, actually not quite. The number of product keys the company will offer for Windows 7 Beta downloads is limited. For the 32-bit version they are: 6JKV2-QPB8H-RQ893-FW7TM-PBJ73; TQ32R-WFBDM-GFHD2-QGVMH-3P9GC; GG4MQ-MGK72-HVXFW-KHCRF-KW6KY; 4HJRK-X6Q28-HWRFY-WDYHJ-K8HDH; and QXV7B-K78W2-QGPR6-9FWH9-KGMM7, while for the 64-bit version they are: 7XRCQ-RPY28-YY9P8-R6HD8-84GH3; RFFTV-J6K7W-MHBQJ-XYMMJ-Q8DCH; 482XP-6J9WR-4JXT3-VBPP6-FQF4M; JYDV8-H8VXG-74RPT-6BJPB-X42V4; and D9RHV-JG8XC-C77H2-3YF6D-RYRJ9.
12. Need an incentive before downloading, what's in it for me?
Microsoft allows testers to download and use Windows 7 Beta completely for free in exchange for the feedback offered via the testing process. In case you are unconvinced to try the build, here is a taste of what Windows 7 Beta has to offer in 75 screenshots.
13. What are the hardware requirements for running Windows 7 Beta?
The minimum specifications for the operating system are: 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor; 1 GB of system memory; 16 GB of available disk space; Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme); DVD-R/W Drive; and Internet access, according to the software giant.
“The hardware setup we’re recommending for the Windows 7 Beta is meant for average computing tasks, such as web browsing and word processing. If you plan to play games or run other hardware-intensive programs, you might need to test the Windows 7 Beta on a more powerful computer. It might also be possible to run the Windows 7 Beta on a less powerful system than the one we recommend, although we can’t guarantee the results,” Microsoft revealed.
14. Can Windows 7 Beta be used indefinitely?
No. Windows 7 Beta, as all Microsoft pre-release software which is offered for free ahead of RTM, is time-bombed. In this context, Windows 7 Beta will expire come August 1, 2009.
15. What will happen with Windows 7 Beta after the August 1, 2009 expiration date?
“The Windows 7 Beta expires approximately six months following its broad public availability, in order to give structured time to gather feedback from customers for a quality release,” a Microsoft spokesperson unveiled to Softpedia.
16. How to install Windows 7 Beta?
The operating system is offered packaged as an ISO image. All that users have to do is burn a DVD with the Windows 7 Beta bits. Installing the platform is a simple enough process, and this article will guide you through it in 45 screenshots.
17. What is the first thing users should do after installing Windows 7 Beta?
Install this update that is designed to resolve an MP3 file corruption issue in which Windows 7 manages to lose seconds of audio from MP3s, but also additional problems related to Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center.
18. Where do I go if I am an IT Pro or a developer?
IT Pros should go here, developers here.
19. How do I keep Windows 7 secure?
Microsoft has worked with members of the security industry in order to produce security solutions tailored to Windows 7. At this point in time the Redmond company is recommending products from AVG, Kaspersly and Symantec.
20. Is Microsoft offering any downloads related to Windows 7 Beta?
Of course. In addition to Windows 7 Beta users can download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows 7 Beta), the Windows 7 Beta (7000-0-081212-1400) Language Interface Packs, and the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1: BETA.
21. Is there something that Microsoft prohibits users from doing with the Windows 7 Beta?
While the software manufacturer is allowing testers to install as many copies of Windows 7 Beta on as many virtual and physical machines as possible, the company is only permitting the bits to be deployed on testing machines and not in production environments, while prohibiting any benchmarking.
22. Should users expect to run into problems with Windows 7 Beta?
Well, it is a Beta release after all. Windows 7 is still under development and, as such, users should expect the operating system to misbehave. Microsoft has published the Release Notes and additional resources designed to inform them of the glitches associated with Windows 7 Beta.
23. What's next?
“The feedback we get in the early stages of Beta will help enable us to discuss the next Windows 7 milestone. Our goal with Beta is to collect feedback and refine the features so we can deliver a great product that meets our customers’ needs,” a Microsoft spokesperson stated for Softpedia.
Users must understand that Windows 7 Beta is feature complete, even though Microsoft still has a few aces up its sleeve and is promising that it will bring to the surface features hidden inside the operating system ahead of finalization.
Windows 7 will move from Beta to Release Candidate and will subsequently be Released to Manufacturing. “We are committed to making Windows the best and preferred OS on all PC types, and we are designing Windows 7 to run on a broad set of hardware,” a Microsoft spokesperson added for Softpedia.