14 DAY TRIAL // That's it, the Windows 7 Beta client free ride is over. Like it or not, Microsoft is no longer allowing users access to the Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 downloads, as the company announced earlier this week. As of February 10th, 12am Pacific Time, the software giant offered no new downloads of the first Beta of Windows 7. Users that at this point in time want to access Windows 7 Beta bits will no longer be able to do so via Microsoft's official channels. This is valid only for the general public, as TechNet and MSDN subscribers will continue to be able to download Windows 7 Beta Build 7000.
“Sorry, Windows 7 Beta downloads are no longer available. If your download was interrupted, you can still finish it. And, you can still register for a product key or look up the key you've already gotten,” reads a message that welcomes users to the official “Download the Windows 7 Beta” page. As indicated earlier this week, the software giant will continue to serve Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 bits until February 12, 2009, at 9am Pacific Time. After that, the Redmond company will discontinue downloads altogether.
Still, product keys for Windows 7 Beta continue to be live. Users need to go through the same process as when attempting to download the operating system in order to be offered a product key. At the same time, activating Beta copies of Windows 7 also continues to be possible, with the platform's expiration date set for August 1, 2009.
But while Windows 7 client Beta downloads are no longer offered to the public, the same cannot be said about Windows 7 Server Beta. The bits for Windows Server 2008 R2 are still live and available for download along with the product keys necessary for activation. “Microsoft has no plans to discontinue the availability of the Windows Server 2008 R2 beta download at this time,” a Microsoft spokesperson revealed to Softpedia.
Product keys to activate Windows 7 Beta are available here.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta (Windows 7 Server Beta) is available for download here.