Evaluate Windows 7 RC (free download)

Whether you like it or not, Windows 7 is in the making, and you can fetch your free copy of the release candidate evaluation version RIGHT NOW. The license key you receive will be valid until the 1st of June next year. Micro$oft.com writes:

Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you’ll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You’ll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use.

To get your copy of the evaluation version just go right here!
It’s available in both 32 and 64-bit versions, and apparently works well on netbooks too.

THERE BE DRAGONS!
You may think this goes without saying, being Windooze and not a stable and open operating system, but there is extra need to use caution. For those of us in the *nix world, the word "release candidate" means there are bound to be pitfalls, bugs and glitches ahead, as opposite to what you’d expect in a quote unquote stable release. This is a testing version, and you contribute to the M$ empire by using it, because they need user input to make it better. An open source model adopted by the dark lords in these troubling financial times. And probably a smart move too. Please note that although this version is free (for a year) it isn’t free software. It is proprietary software, though with a nice price tag. For truly free software see the Free Software Foundation!

10 thoughts on “Evaluate Windows 7 RC (free download)

  1. And how is it working out so far? I don’t see much point in testing it at the moment. I’ll be getting Vista on my new stationary PC (because of 4GB memory), and I’m thinking on getting Win7 on that. But first I got to order the PC, lol.

  2. Or install a 64-bit Linux OS? Major distros with x86_64 (NOT AMD) support includes:
    Ubuntu
    OpenSUSE
    Fedora
    Debian
    Mandriva
    Linux Mint
    Slamd64 Linux (Slackware)
    CentOS

  3. I would if the support for Steam/Blizzard-games and Photoshop were decent enough. But it ain’t yet, so I’ll wait.

  4. Most blizzard games run smoothly in Wine, especially the more popular titles; and you should seriously go for the GIMP! You can even install a hacked version that looks like Photoshop.

  5. Or maybe I should invest in a Mac that got that dual-boot shit with Win? I’m able to cut the VAT, meaning dropping a few thousand kroners…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.