Microsoft: Don't Download Windows 7 from Torrents

[Ex_Brit]

Microsoft: Don't Download Windows 7 Interim Builds from Torrent Trackers

Users should first of all consider the risks.

Leaked builds of Windows 7 available for download via torrent trackers have been accompanying the development of the next iteration of Windows since the operating system was in Milestone 1 stage. As Windows 7 evolved to M2, M3, Beta and pre-Release Candidate, a steady flow of leaked development milestones have made it into the wild and are up for grabs for any user with a BitTorrent client. However, Microsoft indicated that all such releases put end users at risk because there's no telling how the source of the leaked builds tampered with the bits.

“If there's a thing that we absolutely do not recommend to end users, it's that they should download interim builds of Windows 7 from torrent trackers,” revealed Tudor Galos, Windows Business Group Lead at Microsoft Romania, exclusively to Softpedia. “Galos indicated that Microsoft’s official channels should be considered as the sole source of Windows 7 development milestones. “Why? Because many leaked releases can be affected by hackers.”

Galos underlined that Windows 7 interim images could be reversed engineered, with the resulting image being made available on BitTorrent websites. He warned that leaked interim builds of Windows 7 could very well contain malicious software that could put end users' machines and sensitive data at risk.

“End users should not play around with leaked Windows 7 builds, because they are not official, supported releases. It's best that they use only Microsoft’s website to download Windows 7 bits, accessing builds that come with certain guarantees, and with recommendations, security guidelines, deployment and usage guidelines, and that allow for feedback to be sent to Microsoft,” Galos concluded.

The latest leaked development milestone of Windows 7 is Build 7106, which followed Build 7077 in the wild. According to Microsoft, via WinSuperSite, the gap between 7077 and 7106 can be explained because of the Windows 7 build forking procedure. The move is designed to permit the Windows team to develop Windows 7 Release Candidate and Windows 7 RTM (release to manufacturing) builds in parallel. In this regard, Build 7077 belongs to the RC-branch, while Build 7106 is from the RTM-branch.

Full article Here: Microsoft: Don't Download Windows 7 Interim Builds from Torrent Trackers - Users should first of all consider the risks - Softpedia

 

[Rich Hackney]

Info

Thanks very much - I was also concerned that weird torrents might be harmful and worse yet, a waste of time.

Thanks again for the update.
Rich

 

[Azural]

If 7106 was a 'leaked development milestone' than how come it's missing a digital signature?

 

[Ex_Brit]

Probably because it really isn't what was originally leaked. Then there's the question of who leaked it, and from where.

 

[Night Hawk]

Probably because it really isn't what was originally leaked. Then there's the question of who leaked it, and from where.

Precisely! You don't know just what you are downloading until downloaded! This is one reason a separate "test leak" partition was setup due to the rampid rush too many have to grab at "anything" like the 7106? or should I point out http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/7084-7106-bogus-alert.html

That's a classic example of what the warning there is all about. This was one thing pointed at Technet when people were asking for help on certain leaks from "unknown sources" were the reply given was: "sorry we can't offer support for anything other then the approved 7 beta!".

If you grab a leak from a torrent site as I think most have already at some point essentially "do at your own risk!" seems to be the firm warning being given there. It's a very timely post there Ex_Brit!

 

[darkassain]

actually the latest release is 7077 remember everyone?
7106 is latest leak from the rtm branch but 7077 is the latest release...

 

[Mark]

I think that because build 7106 was hacked to pieces and released on torrents, is the whole reason Microsoft has spoken out, because it doesn't help anyone to download that sort of crap. Microsoft can't use any of the data coming from that build and for the end user they can only expect a half functioning OS anyway.

At least with all the other genuine leaked torrents they were good indicators to Microsoft that they were on the right track, from comments made on forums like this and the install data being sent back to Microsoft.

 

[Night Hawk]

Precisely! The supposed 7106 is far from anything as new as the 7077 from the start having already downloaded and installed it already! The 7077 on the other hand isn't any hacked up 7000/7022 build but an actual leak in both 32bit first and later 64bit in full working order.

One fact to that confirms that quite well is actually seeing video recording work in anything since XP here in the 32bit 7077 build. That wasn't seen in Vista or the 7000 build from the start! From seeing that mess plus a couple of other garbage fakes I have to readily agree with the MS warning seen there.

 

[wguimb]

They are correct, it is a risk. BUT those like me who desire to test something fairly recent HAVE to get our bits using leaks BECAUSE Sinofsky hasn't given us anything since 7000!!! Ok, I feel better now.

 

[Night Hawk]

You simply have to careful about what you go after. While the 7106 may just be one of the early builds from the rtm labs the one seen on the torrents right after the 7077 wasn't one of those by a long shot! Someone tossed a bogey in there that was quickly removed right before this MS warning was seen?

Since MS is already well aware of the genuine leaks as well as the "fabulous fakes"! they took the initiative to issue the warning seen there. In fact the 7077 is now gone from the same sites having had it's day. So now we all wait to see if any other "genuine articles" are seen before the RC1!

 

[darkassain]

yeah what this means is to take all leaks with a grain of salt....
there is a chance it might real or fake but using some logic you can stop about 90% of these "fake" builds....

 

[Night Hawk]

The 7077 was first thought to be suspicious since the 32bit was seen right at the beginning of the month in time for what else then "April Fools" on you! Since that turned out to be a real McCoy someone decided to upload a belated joker with the 7106 number on it just when everyone was hearing the 71xx series being mentioned.

Surprize! "April Fools belated" on those that got caught by it! Other people here have spotted phonies when everyone else was too anxious until they exposed those! It goes to show when something good does get out you can decide to give it a go or hold off on them.

Bug alert! on latest leak! When being warned from one source about spywares being seen in a new item the sudden reappearance of the "7077.0.090404-1255_x64fre_client_en-us_Retail_Ultimate-GRC1CULXFRER_EN_DVD.iso" on one site seems to fit the bill.

 

[GreyWolf]

Thanks very much - I was also concerned that weird torrents might be harmful and worse yet, a waste of time.

Thanks again for the update.
Rich

Anything thats leaked before an official release could easily contain malware. People get so excited and want the newest so they will download anything. It's a virus programmers wet dream

 

[Night Hawk]

That's understating a bit! I'm still waiting to hear just which number is invested while it seemed a bit pecular seeing the 64bit 7077 return after both that and the 32bit were gone from one site. Hold on while I answer the reply on the inquiry...

The 7057 number for any further downloads of that was the reply as follows:

"You can't find the bugs doing a scan while the system is active. You need to plug the drive in to another comp as slave than scan it."

 

[darkassain]

seems this one...

 

[Chris34]

Anything thats leaked before an official release could easily contain malware. People get so excited and want the newest so they will download anything. It's a virus programmers wet dream

Yes, this is very true. However, we still have trusted Microsoft news websites that wouldn't mess around posting a non-genuine SHA1 hash and backing the fact that the leak you downloaded is indeed a genuine copy of whatever Beta/RC/Build coming from Microsoft labs. And, if no trusted MS insider news website posted the SHA1 hash for a release that leaked, some people should just chill out as W7 isn't like they're going to make out for the first time and wait or install the release in a virtual machine to check if nothing is being installed along with the normal/genuine windows files.

The build 7016 that was leaked recently does look funny, though I can't tell for sure as I didn't download it; but if the setup.exe has a broken certificate like somebody pointed out, that's enough for me to think the release has been hacked and stay away from it.

 

[Night Hawk]

The phony 7106 downloaded and looked over also saw the simplified Chinese version of the license agreement as well as winver. Someone is obviously toying around with a few builds to make them appear legit when not.

 

[jimbo45]

Well they would say that anyway.

If they were really serious it could easily be stopped -- just de-activate the activation keys for one -- plenty of other simple methods as well.

If people think it's worth having there will always be "Leakers" and "Leakees".

If the old KGB, CIA, MI6, PIA, KIA etc etc were powerless to prevent state secrets from being leaked then a large international conglomerate like Microsoft has NO chance.

Why it even bothered opening its mouth surprised me -- or is it really just wanting to keep tthe publicity machine rolling.

It (although won't publicly say it of course) does also get back a lot of results from these builds that it might not otherwise have had --extra testing etc.

With a little bit of checking and care it's quite easy to spot the fakes.

I'll guess that over 50% of the people on this board are using builds LATER than the 7000 Beta.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[murphy25]

ive only tried 3 builds the original 7000,7057and know 7077 i thought 7000 to much like a pumped up vista which i only installed once and didnt like it at all.
the 7057 and the 7077 builds i both got from a torrent site mind u it was a very good private site rather than the likes of pirate bay and demonoid which ive noticed u cant trust anything these days from there.
it has been said that microsoft are actually loving these builds being leaked as after many peoples dislike of vista its improving its image as 7 is getting good reviews.

 

[andych]

Well they would say that anyway.

If they were really serious it could easily be stopped -- just de-activate the activation keys for one -- plenty of other simple methods as well.

If people think it's worth having there will always be "Leakers" and "Leakees".

If the old KGB, CIA, MI6, PIA, KIA etc etc were powerless to prevent state secrets from being leaked then a large international conglomerate like Microsoft has NO chance.

Why it even bothered opening its mouth surprised me -- or is it really just wanting to keep tthe publicity machine rolling.

It (although won't publicly say it of course) does also get back a lot of results from these builds that it might not otherwise have had --extra testing etc.

With a little bit of checking and care it's quite easy to spot the fakes.

I'll guess that over 50% of the people on this board are using builds LATER than the 7000 Beta.

Cheers
jimbo

I would guess that the 7106 Fiasco is what prompted them to speak up, most other fakes have been spotted and removed from torrents before they got too far but 7106 has been touted on pretty much every Internet news blog. Mostly because everyone is waiting expectantly for the RC and any news that will give them hits is a bonus.

Thankfully some very astute members here kept all of us well and truely informed.....a big thanks to the likes of Solor, Night Hawk, Barrod etc ( I know I left a few out....sorry )