Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 continues to be available for download via Microsoft's official channels until the discontinuation deadline on February 10, 2009, but the next iteration of the Windows client has already evolved past the Beta stage. In parallel with the legitimate downloads of Windows 7 Beta Build 7000, superseding builds of the operating system are also up for grabs, albeit not from Microsoft. In this regard, Windows 7 Build 7022 has been leaked to torrent websites with the bits now accessible to all users with a BitTorrent client. 

Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, already confirmed that Windows 7 would move straight from Beta to Release Candidate, then to RTM (release to manufacturing) and subsequently to GA (general availability). Make no mistake about it, Build 7022 belongs to the Release Candidate branch of Windows 7, with Microsoft having, as early as January evolved even further in the development process of the platform.

Build 7022.0.x86fre.winmain.090115-1850 is a clear indication that the Redmond giant is making headway with the development of Windows 7. The release contains a number of changes over Windows 7 Beta. Most important, users of Windows 7 will now be able to run the Release Candidate of the Internet Explorer 8 shipping as a default component with the operating system. In addition, there are also tweaks to the former Windows Sidebar, now the Desktop Gadget Gallery with a new icon, new animation effects for Windows Explorer, a new icon for Home Group, but also changes to Paint, to the way search is performed via the Start Menu and to the general stability of the platform.

Compiled on January 15, 2009, Windows 7 Pre-RC Build 7022 is not available for download from Microsoft, but only from third-party websites, including top torrent trackers. Microsoft has already produced Windows 7 Builds 7025 and even 7034 according to reports, but the company has offered no confirmation in this regard. The leaked copy of Win 7 Build 7022 is packaged as an ISO image and is only offered in the 32-bit flavor.

Windows 7 Beta is available for download here.

Product keys to activate Windows 7 Beta are available here.