Microsoft will bring the Windows 7 free ride to an end come August 15, 2009. Throughout the development process of new Windows clients, the Redmond-based company is traditionally offering free copies of the operating system to testers. Essentially, the software giant is trading the free bits for feedback from tester. With Windows 7, Microsoft offered two public development milestones at no charge: Beta Build 7000 in January 2009, and Release Candidate Build 7100 at the start of May. In just a couple of months, users will no longer be able to download free copies of Windows 7 via official Microsoft channels.

“The RC download program closes August 15. After that, you won’t be able to get the download, but you can still install the RC and get a key if you need one. (To get a key, just go to the Downloads page and follow the instructions),” revealed Microsoft's Stephen L Rose. “If you’re using the Windows 7 Release Candidate, we hope you like what you see. Let us know - go to http://input.microsoft.com and tell us what you think. You’ll be able to give feedback on various aspects of the operating system.”

But for the next two months, users will still be able to download, install, activate and use Windows 7 RC Build 7100. Microsoft plans to release Windows 7 to manufacturing in the second half of July. The company has already unveiled the official retail packaging for the product, signaling that more and more details were in place for the final availability of the operating system. Windows 7 is scheduled to launch on October 22, 2009.

At the same time, the software giant is urging users to get off Windows 7 Beta and to jump aboard RC. Come next month, Beta Build 7000 will start on the inexorable path to expiration. All pre-release Microsoft software is time-bombed; for Windows 7 Beta, the kill off date is August 1. Testers will be able to continue using Windows 7 RC well into 2010. “Still on the Windows 7 Beta? You need to move to the RC and fast. Starting July 1st, the Beta will start to reboot every 2 hrs and expire Aug 1st,” Rose added.

32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 (Release Candidate) RC Build 7100.0.090421-1700 is available for download here.