how long will rc be available for

[A Ginger Sheep]

as the title states does anyone know how long the rc will be available to download for? the reason i want to know is that im planning building my new computer in mid/late august and ive heard that the rc will stop being available to download sometime in july which means its likely that ill prob have to us lunix until w7 is released as i dont want to buy vista when 7 is coming a few months after and i want the rc as id rather use w7 than lunix. thanks in advance for any information of this topic.

[The Underdog]

You mean linux :P? Tbh just download it now and store it someone till you need it.

[Baggpuss]

just download it now, theres no time limit on when you can install it

[skunksmash]

as the title states does anyone know how long the rc will be available to download for? the reason i want to know is that im planning building my new computer in mid/late august and ive heard that the rc will stop being available to download sometime in july which means its likely that ill prob have to us lunix until w7 is released as i dont want to buy vista when 7 is coming a few months after and i want the rc as id rather use w7 than lunix. thanks in advance for any information of this topic.

why not just d/l it now..& install it later


the RC expires march 2010 i believe, so install it anytime before then.

:)SK

[Helior]

it said at least june 30h i think, but you can download now and store it, it will also be easily available via torrent forever!

[A Ginger Sheep]

i would d/l it now but the keys expire after 30 days of downloading if unused which is where my problem is sori should have explained this first.

[Baggpuss]

i dont think theres a time limit on when you can get the keys. not for now anyway, obviously they will stop nearer the release date (october is what its looking like it will be)

[A Ginger Sheep]

thanks baggpuss, can any1 else 2nd this tho? also where bouts can lunix be d/l from and whats the best version to get? can it run itunes, games etc...

[Helior]

Linux will not run everything, itunes is not available for example, at least not easily, but there are other, frankly better options for most things. The most common is Ubuntu.

MS will probably not leave keys available forever but it will undoubtedly be available up untill release via p2p, while technically that might be slightly dodgy, its hardly the same as stealing a released OS and i'm sure microsoft won't care!

[A Ginger Sheep]

what is ubuntu? is there any other os part from win and mac os that runs itunes as i need it 4 my ipod touch also do they play many games though i prob wont really b gamin that my until i get win7. im sure ill get a slightly illegal key somewhere but its not as if im being a cheapskate as im 4 gettin win7 anyway prob xmas if its out by then if not then march when its my bday. ps links for linux and any other recommended free os would be appriecated.

[Helior]

You don't need itunes to run an iphone, there are tons of apps that can do it, eg songbird. Apple have not made a linix version of itunes and while i believe it is possible to run it in a wine type enviroment its meant to be challenging.

[coursemyhorse]

The latest Windows 7 RC available for download gives you a key to use when you download it from official microsoft site. I'm not sure how quick you have to install and use the key, but once installed the RC will be valid until June 2010, but in April 2010 will start shutting down every 2 hours to make you buy it.

[chico_stang]

I think the RC will be available for a whole year. Once it expires, the retail version will probably be on store shelves.

[codemonkey]

I think the RC will be available for a whole year. Once it expires, the retail version will probably be on store shelves.

This page (http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Windows-7/download.aspx) states it will be available at least through July... but it won't be available for a whole year (at least not legally through Microsoft).

Once installed it also expires in a year.... but it is awesome :thumbs:

[rctneil]

I think it's October 18th that Windows 7 is released officially

[Peeej]

Can you upgrade the RC to the full release or would you need to do a fresh install?

[codemonkey]

So far you have been able to update to each new version without a reinstall so it's likely you will be to with the retail version.

But saying that I always favour a fresh clean install over an upgrade any day of the week

[chico_stang]

This page (http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Windows-7/download.aspx) states it will be available at least through July... but it won't be available for a whole year (at least not legally through Microsoft).

Once installed it also expires in a year.... but it is awesome :thumbs:

You are right, I just noticed. I read a while back it'll be available for download for a year. Thanks for clarifying.

[rctneil]

Just an update to my previous post:

Windows 7 Final will be publically available on October 15th. Mark your calendars!

[Callidus]

Windows 7 Final will be publically available via torrents on October 12th. Mark your calendars!

^ fixed for giggles n kicks

Cal

[bofh1971]

now it would be nice to be offered a discount on the full version just for being guinea pigs :)

[chico_stang]

now it would be nice to be offered a discount on the full version just for being guinea pigs :)

:rolleyes:

[greeme]

I recorn it will be avaliable untill release, i have a very good friend, hes been involved with the builds. He has to many 7 builds its beyond belief, however I am currently running the latest build, with my bragging rights build 7127 64bit.

Perfect smooth, and a nice amount of eye candy:biggrin:

[Xabi]

If you're running the original Beta (7000) - Then from Monday (1st June), your pc will turn itself off every 2 hours as a reminder that its expired.

Win7 RC will not start doing this until March 2010 - This is way after the final release of Windows7.

[nickfink]

^ fixed for giggles n kicks

Cal
LOL! It worked. :D
That is so so true...:rolleyes:

[cheefg]

Can someone here please tell me what the point of it shutting off every 2 hours? Will it even tell you a minute or 2 before so you can save your work or will it shutoff automaticly? Also they should give us testers a discount maybe nothing huge but a good 20 dollars or so.

[flirt_me_out]

I think perhaps its overheating? I'm not sure, but i used to work at a place where they suffered from faults like that a lot due to dust around the fan part of the computer

[Baggpuss]

Can someone here please tell me what the point of it shutting off every 2 hours? Will it even tell you a minute or 2 before so you can save your work or will it shutoff automaticly? Also they should give us testers a discount maybe nothing huge but a good 20 dollars or so.

To **** you off and to make sure that you get the new one before it stops working completly. Cant complain tbh seeing as you essentially get a free os for several months.