Go To Latest Video ReviewsWindows 7 RC Downloads Cease
| Author | Gordon Kelly |
| Published | 19th Aug 2009 |
11 comments
Email
TrustedReviews NewslettersIf you're stuck in two minds over whether to upgrade to Windows 7 (hint: you shouldn't be, it's fab) then bear in mind today is the last day you will be able to try the OS out for free.
On 20 August Microsoft will stop all Windows 7 Release Candidate downloads. It will continue to issue trial license keys, but you'll be forced to dig around third party sites and the like to get the OS itself (watch out for viruses).
Why would you want to trial a pre-release piece platform with the final version coming on 22 October? Well, other than the try-before-you-buy opportunity, Microsoft is rather generously allowing the RC to run until 1 June so it will last 10 months. Be warned that bi-hourly shutdowns of the RC will commence from 1 March 2010, but that's still seven months to come to a decision. The available Windows 7 RC is also the Ultimate edition.
Fruthermore, word is a simple hack will also allow RC users to upgrade to the release version once it is launched - though Microsoft is urging testers to do a clean install for the best possible experience.
Both 32bit and 64bit (go for the latter, trust me) versions of Windows 7 RC can be downloaded from the link below. English, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish language options are available. Downloads started today will be given a few days leeway to complete. Hurry, you can't beat free...!
Related Articles
Newsletters
Register to receive the latest Reviews and News Headlines directly to your Inbox every day, and enter our regular competitions. More Info.
Latest 4 of 11 Comments
Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.
Pbryanw said on 19th August 2009
Gordon said on 20th August 2009
@eyepopper - Jay, that's way off the pace. Mac OS X has already been 64bit for some time. The transition from 32bit has been torturous. By 2015 I'd hope we'd be looking beyond 64bi... more
jopey said on 20th August 2009
@Gordon Actually OSX isn't properly 64bit. At the moment it's just a tweak to allow more than 4GB of ram (you can hack 32bit XP to do the same thing), applications still can't use ... more
Steve32 said on 20th August 2009
Just to note: XP Mode is only available in the Pro Edition of Windows 7. I personally haven't bothered per-ordering that version.
@Gordon - beyond 64bit, you are j... more
See all 11 comments on this article.
Add your comment
You must be logged in to comment. Login or register here.
@eyepopper - Although, most users won't notice a difference, those who have bought new PCs with 4GB or more ram will want to use 64bit Windows, to make full use of their memory. Th... more