Vincent’s Blog

Microsoft will make the first public beta of Windows 7, the next version of its desktop operating system, available as a free download on Friday. There are several limitations, however, so even if you’re excited and committed to trying out Windows 7 Beta 1 on your home PC, check out this list of rules, requirements and considerations.

We culled this list from a post on the official Windows blog and its comments, so check it out before taking the plunge:

• Windows 7 Beta 1 will be made available for a limited time during the day on January 9, 2009.
• Visit the Windows 7 page on Microsoft’s website for the link.
• It will only be made available to the first 2.5 million people to download the code. Demand will be huge, so prepare to act quickly.
• Microsoft has not announced a specific time on Friday for the release, but we can expect it will be later in the day so the west coast of North America isn’t left out.
• Windows 7 Beta 1 will be offered as an ISO image. It’s around 2.5 or 3 gigabytes, so you will need a DVD burner if you want to install it.
• You will be required to register before downloading so Microsoft can give you a product key.
• It will be build 7000.
• The beta will only support Windows Vista SP1 to Windows 7 upgrades. If you’re not running Vista SP1 right now, upgrade before you try to install the Windows 7 beta.
• There is also a clean install option for the Win7 beta.
• There is no upgrade path from XP.
• There’s only one version of the beta, which Microsoft says “is roughly equivalent the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista.”
• The Windows 7 Beta will expire on August 1. You will probably be forced to go back to using Vista SP1 on August 1 (or maybe upgrade to Win7 Beta 2?).
• English, German, Japanese, Arabic, and Hindi versions will be available Friday.
• Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions will be available (except for Hindi, which only gets a 32-bit version).
• If you’re upgrading, remember to back up your PC. It’s a beta, stupid!

From: Wired

Filed under: All, Windows, tips