Windows 7 Rc Ready For Download

[george]

World gets to put Windows 7 software to the test

A nearly-final version of Windows 7 makes its world debut on Tuesday, giving people a chance to tell Microsoft what they like or hate about the new-generation operating system.

Microsoft has promised the free download will work until June of next year.

The release will be available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads in a move intended to signal that the software giant is putting finishing touches on an operating system that it hopes will escape criticism heaped on its predecessor Vista.

"It appears that they are on target," said analyst Michael Cherry of private firm Directions On Microsoft which specialises in tracking the US software giant.

"I think we need to be cautious though. Windows 7 is still in development. While Microsoft is certainly moving on to the next logical milestone this is still a test version of the operating system."

Copies of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) software were made available to developers last week and early reviews have praised the operating system for its stability and avoiding problems that marred Vista's image.

"Listening to our partners and customers has been fundamental to the development of Windows 7," Microsoft senior vice president for Windows business Bill Veghte said while announcing the RC release date.

"We heard them and worked hard to deliver the highest quality release candidate in the history of Windows."

Complaints about Vista included it not working with some software designed for the previous-generation Windows XP operating system and it being too much for netbooks or older computers to handle.

Cherry is testing Windows 7 on netbooks, increasingly popular low-cost mobile computers designed essentially for accessing the Internet and running a few simple programs.

"That is one of the places where Vista didn't do a good job," Cherry said. "I think Microsoft has been very cautious with Windows 7."

The RC release indicates that little is likely to be changed in the final version of Windows 7 and that companies can begin tailoring software or hardware to the operating system, according to Microsoft.

Touted features include compatibility with touch-screen computer controls.

Enthusiastic early reviews of Windows 7 are stoking speculation that Microsoft will release a final version of the new operating system in time for the year-end holiday shopping season.

"It makes sense that Microsoft should have it pre-Christmas," Cherry said of Windows 7.

"I think you need to keep in mind that if something comes up in testing they are going to take the delay and get it right. Microsoft doesn't need a problem on their hands."

Microsoft and some analysts have been advising people to prepare for the Windows 7 release by upgrading to Vista instead of trying to leapfrog the maligned version of the operating system.

Cherry ignores such advice, saying he sees each new operating system as a chance to clean out his computer and start fresh.

He will back up his data, install Windows 7 on his computer and then transfer files over a bit at a time, getting rid of files he hasn't opened for a while.

"I use it as a complete housekeeping move," Cherry said of installing a new operating system. "I will always do a fresh install; this way I know I am not bringing any baggage with me."

-- AFP 2009-05-05

[george]

If you have a BETA version of Win7 installed you need to to a clean install.

If you don't want to do a clean install, follow these steps:

1. Download the ISO as you did previously and burn the ISO to a DVD.

2. Copy the whole image to a storage location you wish to run the upgrade from (a bootable flash drive or a directory on any partition on the machine running the pre-release build).

3. Browse to the sources directory.

4. Open the file cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad.

5. Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For example, change 7100 to 7000 (pictured below).

6. Save the file in place with the same name.

7. Run setup like you would normally from this modified copy of the image and the version check will be bypassed.

[Guest Reimar]

Until a minute ago the download wasn't available at the link provided by the OP!

As I'm not in need to download, because I run that RC already a few days, I was just testing the available source for public at this time. The only source, beside of TechNet Plus (for which you have to sign up and pay), is MS Connect.

For to download from MS Connect, you'll need to have an Live ID or sign up for one and an Invitation Code. For those who are in the hurry, here is an available and working Invitation code: Win7-3HQW-RF74

Available Installation keys I had submitted in the Windows 7 thread already.

Important: You need to use the IE for to download because you'll need to download using the MS own FTM program which will be offered for installation if you don't have it already!

Just as an reminder: Don't accept to high download speed because of the huge amount of connected and downloading sites.

Have fun with Windows 7.

Cheers.

[Guest Reimar]

If you have a BETA version of Win7 installed you need to to a clean install.

If you don't want to do a clean install, follow these steps:

1. Download the ISO as you did previously and burn the ISO to a DVD.

2. Copy the whole image to a storage location you wish to run the upgrade from (a bootable flash drive or a directory on any partition on the machine running the pre-release build).

3. Browse to the sources directory.

4. Open the file cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad.

5. Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For example, change 7100 to 7000 (pictured below).

6. Save the file in place with the same name.

7. Run setup like you would normally from this modified copy of the image and the version check will be bypassed.

I didn't recommend that way from twice bad experiences the last few day's! Just use the "old" way for to transfer Programs and Data from the former Release to the new one.

Cheers.

[Crossy]

I didn't recommend that way from twice bad experiences the last few day's! Just use the "old" way for to transfer Programs and Data from the former Release to the new one.

After several attempts (each one giving me a new activation code ) got the download going using my MSN ID, could take some time

Start here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx

What's the 'old' method for transferring progs and settings from my existing Beta to the RC?

BTW. None of the keys I got today are in your list.

[Guest Reimar]

I didn't recommend that way from twice bad experiences the last few day's! Just use the "old" way for to transfer Programs and Data from the former Release to the new one.

After several attempts (each one giving me a new activation code ) got the download going using my MSN ID, could take some time

Start here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx

What's the 'old' method for transferring progs and settings from my existing Beta to the RC?

BTW. None of the keys I got today are in your list.

I think in the US it's still May 4.?!

Got to: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd446674.aspx for to get the advice how to transfer programs pp. from one OS to an other OS.

Cheers.

[Guest Reimar]

The Key's on that list I posted were the original B eta Key's and they will work with the RC as well. And that key's were even published from MS! Other key's I have, are NOT public and I wouldn't publish them.

Cheers.

[Tywais]

I started downloading from the office around 10:00 AM. Will wait until tomorrow to see if it finishes since today is a holiday.

[Crossy]

I started downloading from the office around 10:00 AM. Will wait until tomorrow to see if it finishes since today is a holiday.

My download finished OK, bootable USB made so I'll be playing later tonight.

I'll try the "juggle cversion.ini" installation method first but it's no loss if it doesn't work. If no joy I'll just do a fresh install

[Guest Reimar]

I started downloading from the office around 10:00 AM. Will wait until tomorrow to see if it finishes since today is a holiday.

My download finished OK, bootable USB made so I'll be playing later tonight.

I'll try the "juggle cversion.ini" installation method first but it's no loss if it doesn't work. If no joy I'll just do a fresh install

If you do an Upgrade Installation, please keep in mind that the time will maybe exceed several hours, which were on my laptop 4.5 hours with a lot problems resulting!

That's just an info and even that MS suggest a clean install!

Have fun.

Cheers.

[Crossy]

If you do an Upgrade Installation, please keep in mind that the time will maybe exceed several hours, which were on my laptop 4.5 hours with a lot problems resulting!

That's just an info and even that MS suggest a clean install!

Hmmmm, since I'm Mr Instant Gratification maybe I'll just do the clean install

[raro]

Just finished the download from a torrent. Friday is holiday and no night-out as pubs are closed. Perfect timing

[CosmicSurfer]

Win 7 available NOW at this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/

CS

[basjke]

How about drivers for your hardware.Are there any available yet.

[Tywais]

How about drivers for your hardware.Are there any available yet.

My experience has shown that if not detected correctly by Win7 the Vista drivers work fine.

[Guest Reimar]

How about drivers for your hardware.Are there any available yet.

If the drivers are not installed directly, you still have the choice for to set the driver, which having it's own installation routine, to compatibility mode for an older OS.

Special for Acer Laptops: You'll need to install the Acer Launch Manager for to get all devices to work.

Cheers.

[Guest Reimar]

BTW. None of the keys I got today are in your list.

Just for to show the "Originals" from Microsoft:

Cheers.

[surface]

Firfox will work as well, just make sure to use a download manager such as download them all for such large files.

[lopburi3]

As much as I would like to have it (from reports I have seen) believe I will wait until release (and perhaps new computer) as Vista still working fine for me and the thought of reinstall of all programs once for test and again for final does not appeal to me. Also download today states must be a clean install rather than the "upgrade" that was mentioned on home page yesterday - not sure if a change or just different strokes for different folks.

[Tywais]

I virtualized Win7 RC today under VMWare on my office machine and will not be installing it on my main computers for obvious reasons. I can then test my critical applications without interfering with my main working system. However, I will stick it on my MSI Wind Netbook replacing Vista.

[Plus]

I prepared 60GB partition for this baby, hope it finds itself comfortable there.

[regedit]

Could someone confirm whether the install allows you to select which drive to install W7 to. I'm now dual booting Vista and XP but haven't used XP for so long now that I want to install Win7 on the partition that XP now resides on so that I can dual boot W7 and Vista. I'm assuming during install I'm be able to format the XP partition and W7 will sort out the dual booting 'select OS' option itself (as Vista did) ? Thanks.

[Guest Reimar]

Could someone confirm whether the install allows you to select which drive to install W7 to. I'm now dual booting Vista and XP but haven't used XP for so long now that I want to install Win7 on the partition that XP now resides on so that I can dual boot W7 and Vista. I'm assuming during install I'm be able to format the XP partition and W7 will sort out the dual booting 'select OS' option itself (as Vista did) ? Thanks.

That wouldn't be a problem. Just install to an other drive or partition and it will be fine. Keep in mind that Windows 7 will also create a special partition (100 MB) for to secure it's system files.

Cheers.

[tomartoh]

Is it safe to install this Windows 7 RC on my laptop operating Vista, without problems and requiring lots of computer knowledge? Or is it better I just wait until the official release of the final product windows 7?

[Guest Reimar]

Is it safe to install this Windows 7 RC on my laptop operating Vista, without problems and requiring lots of computer knowledge? Or is it better I just wait until the official release of the final product windows 7?

It's a quite easy task and don't need a lot of knowledge! Only thing what you should do if you didn't install on an second partition (even than) is to backup all of your data to an external source/storage.

And if you have any question, just ask here.

Cheers.

[bkkmick]

How big is the complete download?

I've got a 2.36GB download at the moment but after that I've only got about 2GB left on this PC.

Will that be enough free space? I want to try the installation on an older PC before upgrading my work PC.

[Guest Reimar]

How big is the complete download?

I've got a 2.36GB download at the moment but after that I've only got about 2GB left on this PC.

Will that be enough free space? I want to try the installation on an older PC before upgrading my work PC.

2.5+ GB, enough space.

[Guest Reimar]

Forget, the 64 bit is about 3.2 GB

Cheers.

[bkkmick]

That's great, thanks.

[nikster]

Hmm... I have an old Acer laptop lying around I am going to try this out on, I guess. Will put it on a new HD just to make sure - if things go wrong I will just pop the old HD back in.

Can I put this on a USB stick and install from there? Or do I have to burn a DVD?