Windows 7 - General availability for the Windows 7 Beta to end

z3r010 · 01-23-2009

Quote:

First off: thank you for your interest in beta testing Windows 7! As we near January 24th, we wanted to update everyone again on the next steps for the Windows 7 Beta. The amount of feedback we have received has been amazing and continues to pour in. We are at a point where we have more than enough beta testers and feedback coming in to meet our engineering needs, so we are beginning to plan the end of general availability for Windows 7 Beta.

Because enthusiasm continues to be so high for the Windows 7 Beta and we don’t want anyone to miss out we will keep the Beta downloads open through February 10th. Customers who have started but not completed the download process will be able to do so through February 12th.

The shutdown of general availability for the Windows 7 Beta will occur in 3 phases over the course of the next few weeks:

Starting January 27th, the Windows 7 page will be updated with a warning that time is running out on downloading the Windows 7 Beta and that we will be limiting downloads shortly. People will be encouraged to register and start the download of the Windows 7 Beta sooner rather than later.
February 10th, new downloads of the Windows 7 Beta will no longer be available. People who have already started their Windows 7 Beta download and have not yet finished will still be able to finish their download and are encouraged to do so.
February 12th, people will no longer be able to complete their download of the Windows 7 Beta. Anyone who hasn’t finished downloading the Windows 7 Beta will be unable to do so.

Product keys for the Windows 7 Beta will continue to be available. So if you have the Windows 7 Beta but didn’t get a product key you will be able to do so even after February 12th.

MSDN and TechNet Subscribers will continue to have access to the Windows 7 Beta bits throughout the Windows 7 Beta phase. The above dates do not apply to MSDN and TechNet Subscribers.

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renthor · 01-23-2009

Man, Microsoft LOVES to delay the end of something, huh? It's like they're taking a page out of XP's death's handbook.

Seriously though, it's nice to see they're extending it a little bit. I say the more people who can download this and get it running, the better.

garysgold · 01-24-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by renthor

Man, Microsoft LOVES to delay the end of something, huh? It's like they're taking a page out of XP's death's handbook.

Seriously though, it's nice to see they're extending it a little bit. I say the more people who can download this and get it running, the better.

Makes them look like a 'kinder gentler' company.

Also helps to keep the hype going.

Thanks, John.

Gary

Mark · 01-24-2009

I'm sure allot of the feedback they are getting is making it all worth while, that would be the major reason for keeping it available.

4tthieves · 01-24-2009

We are Microsoft unpaid employees that love our jobs and don't mind putting in overtime, lol. The idea of having beta testers is the smartest idea yet! I have all three of my sons in college testing it also. I figure since i have to pay for everything, i could finally get a little work out of my boys,,,lol.

rabihfiras · 01-25-2009

Thank you for sharing.

JerzeyLegend · 01-26-2009

I have both 32-bit and 64-bit downloaded. So even after Feb. people will still be able to download them with other means of hosting. Since the keys are universal, I don't think it matters.

jfar · 01-26-2009

For Kind and Gentle,and very Generous Microsoft,who let us test their product for free ,aren't they just so considerate ,there's also a rumour,a very strong rumour that they are going to give all the people who spent all their very valuable time testing there product a FREE yes FREE copy of the official WINDOWS 7 , aren't they just so good, three cheers HIP Hip......

JerzeyLegend · 01-26-2009

From what I understand they did the same with Vista did they not?

That would be nice, but too many people. Perhaps the MSDN subscribers will get a free copy. Or maybe those who submitted a certain amount of feedback. Either way, Windows Seven RTM is going on all my machines.

jfar · 01-26-2009

And mine.