Download Windows 7 RC

[NICK ADSL UK]

Download Windows 7 RC
Partners: If you have a subscription to MSDN or TechNet, you can download Windows 7 RC now. Otherwise, you can download Windows 7 RC starting May 5, 2009

https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40084742

[EASTER]

You probably read enough of my platform (XP Pro ) as much as Herbalist (Win 98 ) so i must ask it's important before even trying anything Windows 7 to at least be Vista equipped, right?

Thanks and Heres to Windows 7, the O/S hopefully that will finally raise satisfaction to acceptable levels for all.

EASTER

[lodore]

Btw Easter have you tryed vista?
since sp1 it has worked well for me.
im looking forward to windows 7 release. the beta build 7000 works great and i will try the RC as soon as it goes public and i have free time.

[AKAJohnDoe]

I am still waiting to hear if there is going to be any price break at all for those of us who have been on Vista for awhile.

[Kerodo]

-{ Quote: "I am still waiting to hear if there is going to be any price break at all for those of us who have been on Vista for awhile." }-
Same here.... there really ought to be. If there isn't, and it's $100+ for 7 upgrade, then I think I might pass on principle. Or at least hold off for a while.

[EASTER]

Yes i have tried Vista SP1 and takes a diehard XP loyal to get a little used to but no real complaints except i certainly expect for the cost that Windows 7 does prove a marked improvement over Vista, like it really needs a lot. What bugs me is the transitioning security vendors may have to encounter but hopefully Microsoft will be open to their issues and resolve any concerns promptly.

EASTER

[nimd4]

-{ Quote: "7000" }-

There is Windows 7 Build 7077 - if not (even) newer already!..:)

http://yfrog.com/e74192009122316amp

http://yfrog.com/e74192009122335amp

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "There is Windows 7 Build 7077 - if not (even) newer already!..:)

http://yfrog.com/e74192009122316amp

http://yfrog.com/e74192009122335amp" }-
Ye I know.
I have read the changes and thought I would wait until the RC comes out which isnt long away now.

[Fontaine]

-{ Quote: "Same here.... there really ought to be. If there isn't, and it's $100+ for 7 upgrade, then I think I might pass on principle. Or at least hold off for a while." }-

+1 for the upgrade. With three Vista licenses, $100 or more and I'll pass on it. I already dumped too much money into Vista. At least with SP1, it's starting to get better (less buggier).

[Defcon]

Why would you expect a price break? Apple charges for every OS release, even minor point releases, whereas MS ships gives us major features (like in XP SP2) for free.

They already have the upgrade program in place, just like Vista, so if you buy a pc after a certain date with Vista you get a free Win7 license, as well as a free XP downgrade if you want.

[Kerodo]

-{ Quote: "Why would you expect a price break? ." }-
For me it's just wishful thinking I guess.... I will be hard pressed to cough up more than $100 for 7 after using Vista x64 here. Not that I don't have the money, but I guess I just don't see any great need to upgrade. I have no problems with Vista x64 at all.

Right now I am on Ubuntu anyway, and if things continue well like they have been, I just may finally convert over for good, and leave MS behind.

[Fontaine]

-{ Quote: "Why would you expect a price break? Apple charges for every OS release, even minor point releases" }-

Umm, because in my opinion MS charges too much for their software. Their products have become increasingly bloated with less flexibility. Removing features like Remote Desktop (on the host/receiving side) from the Home series is ridiculous. Apple charging a premium for every computer product they have is precisely the reason I refuse to purchase their computing products. They seem to price for trend. But just because Apple is more expensive doesn't leave me inclined to accept the MS pricing model either.

[yashau]

Is 7077 the build number for the RC? Is the x64 version available? :D

I'm asking because I don't have a MSDN account.

[Defcon]

I agree, it'd be nice if MS would give a discount to Vista users for Win7. But that would be a loss of millions of $ for them, not a smart business move. Win 7 already has generated a lot of goodwill and hype, and a move like this will be seen as an admission of guilt and their competitors (Apple) will certainly ridicule them for it. Not a good decision whichever way you look at it.

-{ Quote: "Is 7077 the build number for the RC? Is the x64 version available?" }-

Wait till May 5 :)

[Fly]

RC is not the same as RTM ? (what about final release candiate, I'm really not on top of such terms)

I suspect that I'll eventually have to move to Windows 7.

What's really the difference between the current version and the RTM version ? Is the current version stable (and secure) enough for non-critical use ?
I'm not a beta-tester. :D

Am I correct in presuming that the current version cannot be used when the final release candidate/RTM version is released ?

[Fontaine]

-{ Quote: "I agree, it'd be nice if MS would give a discount to Vista users for Win7. But that would be a loss of millions of $ for them, not a smart business move. Win 7 already has generated a lot of goodwill and hype, and a move like this will be seen as an admission of guilt and their competitors (Apple) will certainly ridicule them for it. Not a good decision whichever way you look at it." }-

I think that they could come out and do it to smack Apple across the face. Steve Ballmer recently criticized Apple, saying that consumers pay an extra $500 just for the name. Why not back that up and lower prices to show that quality (?) microsoft software really can be affordable.
Either way, we're probably getting off topic now. :)

Can't wait to give Windows 7 a turn.

[Defcon]

-{ Quote: "RC is not the same as RTM ? (what about final release candiate, I'm really not on top of such terms)

I suspect that I'll eventually have to move to Windows 7.

What's really the difference between the current version and the RTM version ? Is the current version stable (and secure) enough for non-critical use ?
I'm not a beta-tester. :D

Am I correct in presuming that the current version cannot be used when the final release candidate/RTM version is released ?" }-

RC is a build that's considered good enough. Its then put through a number of tests (e.g. a public release). If no critical bugs are found, it becomes the RTM and is released. There can be more RC builds (RC1, RC2) also, but MS has declared there will be only 1 public Windows 7 RC.

You should generally not entrust your data to a non-final OS, but from all accounts, and millions of users, the current Win7 builds are at least as stable as Vista, and they are certainly better. Its your call.

The RC might very well end up being the final RTM. But in any case, I believe there is an upgrade path from the RC->final. Its only the beta->RC/final thats unsupported.

[Fly]

Does anyone know how this current Windows 7 compares to Windows XP and Vista regarding speed and resource requirements (RAM , CPU etc)

I just have a Windows XP Home Edition with 512 MB RAM and a 5 year old one-core 32 bit CPU. Good enough for about anything, except security software. ::)

[Hugger]

Can I upgrade to Windows 7 from XP Pro?
Or am I going to have to buy a retail disc?
Hugger

[dw426]

-{ Quote: "Does anyone know how this current Windows 7 compares to Windows XP and Vista regarding speed and resource requirements (RAM , CPU etc)

I just have a Windows XP Home Edition with 512 MB RAM and a 5 year old one-core 32 bit CPU. Good enough for about anything, except security software. ::)" }-

Fly, I don't have first hand experience myself to back it up, but 7 is supposed to require much less resource use than Vista (mainly because of trigger services I think). However, on the system you specified, I'm not so sure it would go all that well. If you find it does though, that great for me, I'm on a 1Gb ram setup with an old AMD 64 2.0Ghz 3200+.

[NICK ADSL UK]

-{ Quote: "Can I upgrade to Windows 7 from XP Pro?
Or am I going to have to buy a retail disc?
Hugger" }-
I'm afraid not at this time you will need to purchase a retail disc

[NICK ADSL UK]

-{ Quote: "Does anyone know how this current Windows 7 compares to Windows XP and Vista regarding speed and resource requirements (RAM , CPU etc)

I just have a Windows XP Home Edition with 512 MB RAM and a 5 year old one-core 32 bit CPU. Good enough for about anything, except security software. ::)" }-
it will be similar to the vista specification. however you will still need a satisfactory computer with regards the specification and don't forget any software that you'll be using with it and any games which will all add to the specification. For a satisfactory experience My own personal recommendation's are a Intel/amd processor at 2ghz or higher 3GB of ram a 512 MB video card which should suffice for the next few years

[Hugger]

Nick,
Thanks. Guess I'll wait for it to mature a bit.
Hugger

[Brian K]

-{ Quote: " but 7 is supposed to require much less resource use than Vista " }-
One of my computers is a Pentium 4 1.3 GHz with 384 MB of RAM and a 32 MB graphics card. Windows 7 runs OK. Acceptable but a little slow as one would expect, although it is faster than Vista on the same computer.

[Chubb]

-{ Quote: "Is 7077 the build number for the RC? Is the x64 version available? :D

I'm asking because I don't have a MSDN account." }-

7100 is the RC build:

http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/default.aspx

[lodore]

I will have the rc soon enough.
I got an email from MS yesterday.
about there security news letter. im guessing its because i signed up to some ms security stuff a while back.
entered the comp to win a copy of windows 7 plus i think it says they will send me the RC for me to test.
doesnt say which version but i would guess ultimate or pro.

I would of downloaded the RC anyway.

[NICK ADSL UK]

Windows 7 Release Candidate Update

-{ Quote: "There certainly has been a lot of discussion about Windows 7 in the last few weeks. A lot of folks want to know when they can get their hands on the official RC, when we are going to RTM, and what I had for breakfast.

I’m pleased to share that the RC is on track for April 30th for download by MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Broader, public availability will begin on May 5th.

On behalf of everyone here, I would to thank all of our beta testers for helping us get to this point. You guys have been busy. At the peak of the feedback cycle, we were receiving a “Send Feedback” report every 15 seconds for an entire week. Since then, the engineering team has been busy analyzing the feedback, fixing bugs, and working hard to improve the overall experience. Many of your suggestions helped us refine the new and improved taskbar, the behavior of Aero Peek, Touch, Windows Media Player, and much more. In case you have missed the previous E7 blog entry outlining some of these changes in detail, you can read about them here.
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/04/24/windows-7-release-candidate-update.aspx" }-