14 DAY TRIAL // Testers that have downloaded, installed and are now running the next iteration of the Windows client in Beta stage will begin to see updates being available for the operating system, starting today, February 24, 2009. Microsoft announced since last week that it planned to release a handful of refreshes as an integral part of the Windows 7 testing process. The pseudo-refreshes will be served through Windows Update, but will not add or change anything in Windows 7 Beta.
“These updates do not deliver new features or bug fixes. The test updates simply replace system files with the same version of the file currently on the system,” revealed Brandon LeBlanc, Windows Communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team.
Microsoft launched the public Beta build of Windows 7 on January 10, 2009 and discontinued the bits on February 12, 2009. Even ahead of the Beta development milestone, the software giant released updates for Windows 7, especially when it came down to resolving Critical vulnerabilities in the operating system.
“Starting February 24, we will be releasing up to 5 test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) via Windows Update. These updates allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and manage the updating of Windows 7. We typically verify servicing scenarios during a beta,” LeBlanc explained.
According to the Redmond company, the Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 updates will not be installed without user consent, even though the refreshes are designed exclusively for testing purposes. LeBlanc indicated that users would start seeing notifications of updates via WU today. “Even if the user has Windows Update configured for automatic update – these test updates will not install automatically. Users will need to manually install the test updates through Windows Update,” he said.