The "Official" RC download for Technet/MSDN

kpo6969 said:

Springboard Series - The Resource for Windows Desktop IT Professionals : Windows 7 RC is available for TechNet and MSDN subscribers to download

Check this out......Windows 7 will be pre loaded on PC in Oct. 09....so the RTM will be available.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/a...-on-z5600-aio/

weh said:

I've just discovered something strange: 3 different people who got product keys at 3 different times, each logged into their own MS "live" accounts, got IDENTICAL product keys for both Win.7.x86 and Win.7.x64 -- how strange is that ???

I tried the Product Keys pages multiple times and found that there were 5 keys for x86 and 5 keys for x64. Everyone is given one of these keys, they do not get a new one each time.

Night Hawk said:

Precisely! Don't forget... Windows 7 RC Available for Download On MSDN and TechNet with Activation Product Keys » My Digital Life

One question I have is about the option on the bottom of the systems page

Start/Control Panel/System Change Product Key then you open that and it has a 25 digit (I gather) space to enter a new key
Does that mean we can change it to a BRAND new key that wasn't issued
for the beta's but for the RC instead ?

The keys are interchangeable (within architecture) and will work on build 7000 through to 7100. Public keys can be used by millions of users. However, the final RTM most likely will have new keys.

Private keys provided to TechNet, authorized partners, internal and MSDN can be used by paid subscribers on any of the builds (up to 10 systems each key) and they will get new ones for the RTM release if still subscribed when it is released.

dkh2 said:

One question I have is about the option on the bottom of the systems page

Start/Control Panel/System Change Product Key then you open that and it has a 25 digit (I gather) space to enter a new key
Does that mean we can change it to a BRAND new key that wasn't issued
for the beta's but for the RC instead ?

I forgot to add
Does that mean we can change it to a BRAND new key that wasn't issued
for the beta's but for the RC instead
"and have the the expiration date changed to June 2010? "

"and have the the expiration date changed to June 2010? "

the expiration date will be the same no matter what key you use

As best I can determine, Microsoft cheated. There are a very limited collection of product keys -- so far, I've only found 5 for Win.7.x86 and 5 for Win.7.x64 -- that work in all versions currently available. And, rather than an algorithm to determine genuine product keys, there appears to be a simple look-up table with the all 5 keys listed.

It looks like MS has simply given out the same 10 keys -- 5 for each platform -- millions of times. I've expanded my informal survey to 23 people and still have only the 10 product keys.

If I'm correct, you product key has nothing to do with anything other than to keep the appearance of a standard installation. The actual key validation routine will probably show up when Win.7 is RTM.

Hi there
What's the point of the NEW keys if the old one's still work.

I found Windows update gave me Office 2007 SP2 on W7 build 7100 x-64 (from a torrent but authentic one with correct hashes).

Date expiry as per Microsoft statement - can't remember the link anymore.

2 week warnings from March 2010
Finally expires June 2010.

Cheers
jimbo

Maybe its just a fresh batch for those who didnt get any from the beta in time.

Maybe its just a fresh batch for those who didnt get any from the beta in time.

with a live ID you could get keys anytime you wanted