Windows 7 beta back online; download links [Ux2]
updated 06:00 pm EST, Sat January 10, 2009
Windows 7 beta postponed
After demand began to slow its website and interfere with other services, Microsoft on Friday pulled the Windows 7 beta and postponed it indefinitely. Citing "very heavy traffic," it removed the download, but did not offer a new schedule for delivering the beta of its newest operating system, according to Macworld UK. The company on Wednesday announced it would provide a public beta of the next-generation Windows operating system, but said that it would cap the number of Windows 7 beta activation keys at 2.5 million; other users will be able to download the beta, but only run the software as a 30-day trial (though many have figured out how to extend the trial to 120 days using the "slmgr -rearm" command that was used for Windows Vista). Update: The official (direct) download links are available (32-bit, 64-bit) and the website is available (but very slow).
"Due to very heavy traffic we're seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to Microsoft.com properties before we post the public Beta today," a spokeswoman told Computerworld in response to questions about Microsoft.com's performance. "We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the Beta."
Earlier this week, Microsoft confirmed that there would be at least three variants of the Windows 7 operating system, officially introduced last October: one for netbooks, one for consumers, and one for enterprise customers. The company also said it would remove the "sidebar"
it's back
01/10, 06:46pm reply
It's back online... this is yesterdays news.
chelsel
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Yesterday's News
01/10, 08:04pm reply
Of course, any news story with the word "Windows" in the headline should automatically be considered "Yesterday's News"
Okonomiyaki
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networks geniuses
01/10, 10:46pm (1 reply) reply
Yes, trust these network engineers with your critical needs.
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999
works well on iMac
01/11, 01:44am reply
I was able to install the Windows 7 Beta in Parallels v.3 on my iMac, but networking would not work. Apparently some people are reporting success with Parallels v.4. On the other hand, VMWare Fusion 2 had no problem getting networking to work.
Windows 7 has a more refined look to it than Windows XP, but infrequent users of Windows may be confused by how Microsoft has moved around many features, making it difficult to find things in their usual place.
midtoad
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Downloading problems
01/11, 07:28am reply
I had problems downloading the beta in OSX, but it downloaded fine (and fast) in VMWare Fusion.
coldfusion1970
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Simply Brilliant
01/11, 11:03am reply
Ahh yes... MSFT... Requiring people to use an Active X control to download Windows 7. Wouldn't want anyone on a Mac (or some other crazy non windows machine) to take a look at the new OS. Do they really think that the only people that would want to see the new OS would be those that are already on a Windows machine.
sailin74
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Simply Brilliant
01/11, 11:04am (1 reply) reply
Ahh yes... MSFT... Requiring people to use an Active X control to download Windows 7. Wouldn't want anyone on a Mac (or some other crazy non windows machine) to take a look at the new OS. Do they really think that the only people that would want to see the new OS would be those that are already on a Windows machine.
sailin74
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Been using it for a day
01/11, 03:02pm (1 reply) reply
So far im pretty happy with Windows 7, its what Vista should have been. This should keep Apple on its toes to continue to innovate as well. Still a lot that pisses me off, but I can say im willing to leave XP for it now.
Athens
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Joined: Jan 2003
Re: simply brilliant
01/11, 04:04pm reply
Well, maybe they wanted to limit the beta to people who would actually use the OS and not have a bunch downloaded mac and Linux users who would offer no constructive criticisms and bug reports.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Re: simply brilliant
01/11, 04:14pm reply
But i can use the Win 7 beta with VMWare Fusion to check it out (and offer bug reports if i want).
Ps. I took two activation keys, so that only leaves 2,499,998 for everyone else ;-)
coldfusion1970
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