14 DAY TRIAL // The leaked direct download links for Windows 7 followed promptly the October 22nd general availability deadline, offering end users access to the latest iteration of the Windows client. After the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft started to rely on the electronic distribution of the Windows operating system, in addition to the traditional OEMs, system builders and retail channels (including ecommerce stores). Customers that purchase Windows 7 online straight from Microsoft can opt for the product to either be shipped to them as a boxed copy, or to have immediate access to the bits via download. The second option has made possible the direct download links for Windows 7 to be leaked in the wild.
The past week I was telling you that the direct links for the 32-bit (x86) editions for Windows 7 Professional found their way on various websites posting information on a variety of illegal methods to get the successor of Windows Vista (I will not provide links to illegal sources of Windows 7). Now the direct download links for the 64-bit (x64) flavor of Windows 7 Professional have also been leaked.
The links enable users to bypass the entire process of buying Windows 7 online, and jump straight to the good stuff, namely downloading the bits. The information contained in the leaked links reveals that it is not Microsoft, but rather a distribution partner of the Redmond company that is responsible for Windows 7 being accessible right from the source.
There are three leaked direct download links, one for Win7-P-Retail-en-us-x64.exe and the remaining two for setup1.box and setup2.box. Users need all three files in order to obtain the contents available on a Windows 7 installation DVD, and they will need to place the items in the same folder and launch the EXE file. The result will be a genuine copy of Windows 7, of course without a product key to activate it once it is installed.
Microsoft Windows 7 90-Day Eval VHD is available for download here.
Another Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.
Windows 7 RTM Starter Edition, 100-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Home Basic 110-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Home Premium 120-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Professional 110-Screenshot Gallery
Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 100-Screenshot Gallery