Last chance to get free Windows 7 test copy
While Microsoft's Windows 7 will go on sale in just about two months, there is still a little time to get a free copy of the operating system.
Well, at least a free test copy of Windows 7, anyway. Users have until Thursday morning to download the "release candidate" version of the software--the final test version of the operating system. It's a good option for those who have a spare machine to try out the software or for Mac users looking to experiment with running Windows either in virtualization software or via Boot Camp.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
Microsoft has provided free, unlimited downloads of the release candidate version, but plans to halt distribution after Thursday (Update: I'm told the bits will stop flowing at 8 a.m. PT on Thursday, so I'd get started by tomorrow at the latest)
"After that date, you will still be able to register your product and get registration keys but, the media will no longer be available for download," Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc said in a blog posting this week.
Even for those that get the software, the free ride only lasts so long. The release candidate will only work through early next year. The software will expire entirely on June 1 and, starting March 1, it will begin shutting down every two hours to remind users that the end is nigh.
As for the software itself, although it is not the final version, I used the release candidate for months and found it to be quite stable and reliable. For those who are looking to ultimately use the software, though, I recommend just biting the bullet and upgrading to the final release.
Folks will also want to remember that to move from the release candidate to the final version requires a clean installation of the operating system, meaning backing up one's data, reinstalling Windows 7, and then restoring the data and reinstalling any applications.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
The heading is wrng. I assumed Micro**** was giving away Win 7 for free. That would be the right thing to do considering the cost of Windows should actually be -$29.99 (minus twenty nine dot ninety nine dollars). MS should pay the users to download and use Windows.
Never-mind - you are doing what you like and it is all good for you.
if it cost more to maintain Windows then folks got out of it, then people would stop using it.
Or people using alternatives would have a huge advantage.
They don't, it doesn't, and you just make yourself look ignorant stating such drivel.
and CRAPple should be $-29.99 (minus twenty nine dot ninety nine dollars) with free MACB$$K.
Never-mind - you are doing what you like and it is all good for you.
Wow. I mean... really. I'd be embarassed in making such ignorant postings. I have to give you credit for having the courage of being so openly forward and strong opinioned about a topic of which you know nothing about.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B544E90-7659-4BD9-9E51-2497C146AF15&displaylang=en
You shouldn't have any issues. The only real problems come up with older legacy hardware such as video that the OEM has abandoned.
Maintaining hardware drivers is not exactly Microsoft's job that would be the job of the creator of the hardware. Sort of like you wouldn't blame Ford because the Goodyear tires on your car blew out.
Yes, i'm sure the Vista upgrade advisor (which probably didn't even exist) was SO inaccurate wasn't it?
What do you suggest for smithpeters? Switching to Linux or Mac? Have a good time convincing him everything on his XP machine will work fine with those two.
I installed Win7 RC on my home built PC and had absolutely no issues. Everything ran as well as a new computer by the big makers, except it didn't have the crapware. I also was able to get the beta of MS Security Essentials and that has also worked well, but it's no longer available. It's funny how I can run the full version of 7 on this PC but it was recommended I only run Vista basic on it. I stuck with XP instead.
Talk about not supporting hardware, how about Snow Leopard. If you don't have a Mac with an Intel chip inside, you're flat out NOT SUPPORTED. Considering the relatively small number of hardware combinations MacOS has to run on compared to Windows, I'd keep my mouth shut about hardware support if I were you.
Snow is melting
and time for Leaopard to hide :)
SL is good. All OSX are good. Win 7 is good too (unlike Vista). Give it a chance, just as you ask us windows users to give your OS a chance.
I think I speak for all of us (Windows, Mac, and Linux users alike) when I say that we all wish you'd just shut up and go away. You give the Mac people a bad name while annoying Windows and Linux users to the point of avoiding CNET. The '90's are over: no one has any use for trolls and fanboys.
P.S.: Die.
Assuming they based their code in BSD 4.4 (that has no ties to AT&T), and that there's still some NeXTStep code from the old days somewhere, it's likely the oldest lines in OSX are from the late 80's. Which makes no difference at all (since it's probably in areas that don't change often, or at all, or are simply not worth rewriting for little benefit)
Windows also probably has some legacy code, for filesystems, for instance, but there's probably not much left from the Win95 days (but it's very reasonable to assume there's plenty of initial NT code still there)
Linux that moves incredibly fast still has Linus' original code in some nasty spots (like terminal handling (all attempts to re-work it ended up stuck, or frustrated the maintainer to death).
Think about it...
Decent Notebook - $700.00 with Vista
Upgrade to Windows 7 - $149.00 (assuming you don't get it free, which most will when they buy)
Office Software - $150.00
Total Cost - $999.00
Seems like a deal to me....
It's easier for smaller business. Many can just switch to Linux. :-)
And people who are soncerned about the drivers, well i don't know what to tell you. I tried it on 3 different machines and never had a single problem with the drivers. Thats including drivers for brand new laptop (Sager), everything "just works".
I prefer using vista for now, because I can caculate it and fix anything wrong with it.
I'm starting up a new era of an online operating system that will give you your time's worth, my friendly people.
- by inachu1 August 21, 2009 6:12 AM PDT
- I just tried it:
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sad.