Windows 7 Beta Public release today (Now)

[MUff1N]

As of 12PM Pacific time today (as in right NOW) the download for Windows 7 Beta is available to the public!
(I'm downloading it right now) 2.5Gbs for the 32bit version & 3.2Gbs for the 64bit version.
So far the download is at full speed for me...that's because the servers are so jammed up with people trying to get to the download & not being able to not having the direct links like below!

Update: It appears that Microsoft.com is suffering badly with "server too busy" messages but we now have direct download links below.
Edit: I just checked & they STILL are too busy to get through to the downloads so these direct links are your best bet!

Download: Windows® 7 Beta x86 (32bit) and x64 (64 bit) Windows 7 Beta 1 Build 7000 DVD ISO Image

Update: Seems even after you download from the direct link that you will still have to go through
the process of acquiring a key for it & the "Official" download site has still not posted a link to the Beta...(Wish I knew this a few hours ago...as I've got 2/3 of it downloaded now)

This is what they have there instead...so maybe by 12 midnight? Who knows...I'll post back when I know more,
but so far there has been NO download experience much less a "Quality" one on the Official Download Site...
So they are yet to post a link to the beta download!!!
This is just Retarded considering the time they had to get ready for this...& yet is another example of MS stupidity...

"Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal—we're in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We're sorry for the delay and we'll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience."

[MUff1N]

Microsoft has delayed the public release of its Windows 7 beta download due to an overwhelming demand that its servers couldn't handle.

"Due to very heavy traffic we're seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta," the message explains.

The post does not give a definitive time for when the Windows 7 beta will be made available again.

"We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and I'll be posting here again soon once the beta goes live," it says.

Overwhelming Demand

Reports as early as Friday morning indicated that Microsoft's servers were being crushed by the demand for Windows 7, even before the files were initially posted. Microsoft had planned to allow only the first 2.5 million users to download the operating system. The company has indicated it would like to have the software fully tested and ready for its final release by the end of the year.

[MUff1N]

At this time 9:06PM there is still no download links to Windows 7 Beta or the Keys that go with it on either the Technet site or the Official Windows 7 site! Just their stupid messages...

TechNet & Windows 7 site: Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal -- we’re in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We’re sorry for the delay and we’ll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience.

Maybe by tomorrow they'll have it ready to go...
I'm just afraid that by the time I finally do get through all the keys will be gone.

I've already got Windows 7 downloaded & burned to a disk but I don't want a 30 day trial...I want the full length beta trial which is about 6 months!
But if worse comes to worse I can re-arm the trial 3 times for a total of 3 months use...

[robbie]

I wonder if we can host it here? Maybe we can break the 3D mark record!!!

[MUff1N]

This was posted early this morning by a MS Rep...Brandon LeBlanc

I think he's saying they are going to increase the amount of keys to be made available for Window 7 Beta to insure that everyone that wants a key to this beta will get one...but I'm not positive.
As I said, I've already got W7 Beta burned to a DVD & ready to install, just need a key for it.
You know, this is the first time I've ever been interested enough to do this on a beta release!
I never bothered before...just waited for the final release to go public...

Posted on: January 10, 2009 at 12:43AM
We continue to work to add servers to Microsoft.com to support the demand of the Windows 7 Beta. Part of adding servers is also network configurations to ensure everything works correctly. We'll update the blog once we're confident in everything

Posted on: January 10, 2009 at 3:26AM
Hey everyone, I wanted to give everyone a quick update.

Sorry I disappeared for a bit, I went to grab a bite to eat. Haven't had much to eat today.

I spent the last few hours in a conference room here in Redmond with a wonderful group of people dedicated to getting the Windows 7 Beta online for folks. We are continuing to add servers and tweak a few things on the network site to enable us to open access to the Beta. Some of the folks I've been spending time with in this conference room will be working overnight.

I know many of you are concerned about getting a product key for the Windows 7 Beta and concerned about missing your chance to get a product key. I can't say much on this just yet but I will say you this: don't worry. :-)

It's about 1:30am here in Redmond and I'm going to head off for a bit to catch some sleep. I'm getting up bright and early (SUPER early) tomorrow morning to head back into the office (yes, the same conference room I was in all evening too...).

I would like to remind everyone that we need to keep things clean here in comments and to be respectful and constructive as well. When I come back online in a few hours, if I see certain people are way out of line here - they will be banned from leaving comments.

Thanks,

Brandon

[piccoLEW]

when i try to download, it manages to pull about 19mb or so then just freezes :| download manager (sea monkey) doesn't update the speed to 0 just holds there :< has been a while now

edit 17:45 gmt appearts to be running now from official website: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/e.../dd353205.aspx

[Daniel ~]

"Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal—we're in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We're sorry for the delay and we'll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience."

One wonders if People are interested in 7 or just desperate to leave Vista?

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

One wonders if People are interested in 7 or just desperate to leave Vista?

I for one Daniel was hoping this system was going to be a BIG performance change from Vista Ultimate & so far I'm not disappointed at all & an Very Impressed!!!
It boots up as fast as XP (without any tweaks yet) with a smaller memory foot print. So far I likey!!! (Donny likes it!) haha!

I guess I was lucky on this whole ordeal...that & I was persistent because I now have a fully working copy of Windows 7 Beta with a Valid Key!
As a matter of a fact I'm using it right now & the installation only took 20 minutes to install...
This is twice as fast a Vista so far & I'm really liking it compared to Vista!!!
I think this is going to be the system I finally do switch over to from XP as I'm very impressed with the performance thus far!
The only problems so far is program & driver compatibility issues & that's to be expected in a beta that's just released.
If you choose compatibility installation choose Vista & this seems to work well with software that doesn't install normally without it.
I'm sure after these issues are address it's going to be a very good OS! So Finally MS is putting out another good OS other than XP.
About time...
Did I mention this...Windows 7 boots up as fast as XP does!!! I likey this!!!

Anyways, it's seems they now have their download site for Windows 7 Beta up & running as of 11:00AM this morning!!!

So for those of you wanting to try this out its ready to go...
Make sure to get the Key for this NOW as those will be the first things to be used up as they are limited...

I used the Direct download link in the first post to get my copy of Windows 7 & had no problems with the download stopping or the speed being slow on the 32bit version, so you might want to give that a try for the downloads...
Direct Links are in the first post...

Official Windows 7 beta download site... Download the Windows 7 Beta

[robbie]

Downloading now.

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by MUff1N

I for one Daniel was hoping this system was going to be a BIG performance change from Vista Ultimate & so far I'm not disappointed at all & an Very Impressed!!!
It boots up as fast as XP (without any tweaks yet) with a smaller memory foot print. So far I likey!!! (Donny likes it!) haha!

I guess I was lucky on this whole ordeal...that & I was persistent because I now have a fully working copy of Windows 7 Beta with a Valid Key!
As a matter of a fact I'm using it right now & the installation only took 20 minutes to install...
This is twice as fast a Vista so far & I'm really liking it compared to Vista!!!
I think this is going to be the system I finally do switch over to from XP as I'm very impressed with the performance thus far!
The only problems so far is program & driver compatibility issues & that's to be expected in a beta that's just released.
If you choose compatibility installation choose Vista & this seems to work well with software that doesn't install normally without it.
I'm sure after these issues are address it's going to be a very good OS! So Finally MS is putting out another good OS other than XP.
About time...
Did I mention this...Windows 7 boots up as fast as XP does!!! I likey this!!!

Anyways, it's seems they now have their download site for Windows 7 Beta up & running as of 11:00AM this morning!!!

So for those of you wanting to try this out its ready to go...
Make sure to get the Key for this NOW as those will be the first things to be used up as they are limited...

I used the Direct download link in the first post to get my copy of Windows 7 & had no problems with the download stopping or the speed being slow on the 32bit version, so you might want to give that a try for the downloads...
Direct Links are in the first post...

Official Windows 7 beta download site... Download the Windows 7 Beta

Well...no one can doubt your enthusiasm....":O}

[MUff1N]

Yea, Windows 7 Ultimate puts Vista Ultimate to shame in performance & speed.
This is what Vista should have been to begin with.

Anyways on another note: Because this system is running DX11 none of my games will run on it!!!
Not even in compatible mode! It just tells me I'm either missing the dx9 or dx10 dlls.
Don't know how to fix this yet but I'm sure there will be work arounds for it in the near future once
more people start complaining about not being able to do it...
For this reason alone I'm going to have to go back to XP...I needs my games!!!

Edit: Seems this isn't the case with ALL my games...oops.
HalfLife 2 is running on it.
One other point, all my games are on a separate partition so I'm just sending the shortcut to the desktop...
This worked in both XP & Vista without re-installing the games on the OS's...but this seems to be a problem with W7.
So I can now play HL if I want!

[kellamne]

Got mine sorted - just have to dig out a dvd-r tomo, then either install here - or dig out a HDD. (Acronis back-up should look after me if all fails)

[raphael2040]

Let's be honest.

Was anyone else here hoping for a more Mac-like taskbar? Because I certainly was.

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by raphael2040

Let's be honest.

Was anyone else here hoping for a more Mac-like taskbar? Because I certainly was.

I don't know as I've NEVER used a Mac...

But from what others say, the bottom taskbar area is basically a copy of the Mac's OS & I do like it! Cool features.

So far with the exception of just a few programs & drivers I couldn't get to install it's running great! Really fast...& really, really fast compared to Vista Ultimate! LOL
The bootup times on this is 20 seconds for my system.
I also like the "Sleep" function as it keeps everything ready to go in memory for a fast launch, yet turns off all the fans & such.
Perdy darn good if you ask me! Yea, I'm really liking this new OS even though it's still in beta it's kickin!
Believe me, I'm pretty critical when it comes to Windows & how it works especially when it comes to speed & performance & I'm very glad this wasn't just a fixed Vista but a good OS that actually works they way they are supposed to like XP PRO does.

[piccoLEW]

im currently using it on my old main system. The problem im having currently is the sound card drivers, not surprisingly its a creative sound card :|

Vista drivers are 'supposed' to work, they install okay just dont work. once i got this teething problem sorted i can start testing for games/other media

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by piccoLEW

im currently using it on my old main system. The problem im having currently is the sound card drivers, not surprisingly its a creative sound card :|

Vista drivers are 'supposed' to work, they install okay just dont work. once i got this teething problem sorted i can start testing for games/other media

Did you rightclick on the driver installation package, click Properties & choose Compatibility for Vista? If not try that & see if it works.
I had to do this with a good number of programs & drivers installation packages to get them to install correctly.

[piccoLEW]

installing it is not the problem i can get it to do that several times, just after its installed and rebooted.. no sound, if i was lucky i got a helpful volume control telling me either the audio service wasnt started, or after looking around and tinkering with that it just complained that there was no audio output device installed. :|

have tried using the windows update catalogue/ the latest offering from creatives website, even an older version. Some people seem to have some luck with: SBXF_PCDRVBETA_US_2_18_0006.exe which i couldn't find directly on creatives website but found a link to it (which links to the creative file download) and will give it a whirl once defraggler has finished doing its stuff.

If that fails i can do a fresh install and make sure its the 1st driver i put on to the machine this time.

edit: although i have managed to get a proper user logon going, ctrl-alt-del and having to put a username and a password in, would like to have just the classic login though.

hate the start menu :< takes up about a 3rd of the screen, i prefer the win9x/2k ish start menus (classic on xp )

[Abdul]

Im enjoying this.. too. I like it!

I did notice that i cant access my Vista harddrive from within w7? Some kinda security feature or just me?

[IceRaptor]

all this talk has convinced me to try it. Just got my Key.
I don't want to loose the ability to play games on my main rig and therefore I'm thinking of installing it on my netbook. Specs are:-

1Gb Ram
Intel Atom 1.6Ghz
120gb HD

from wiki:-
"Windows 7 editions will include one for netbooks and sub-notebook computers, at least one for consumers, and at least one for enterprises"

Hopefully it should work. the only thing i'm afraid of is that drivers only exist for XP atm. I'll let you guys know how i got along.

[piccoLEW]

good luck.
I managed to sort out my sound, although im not using the sound blaster X-fi extreme audio card i have in there, just the onboard sound. It wouldnt install either so i reinstalled windows, and tried the SB again, kept blue-screening then rebooting a second later, but windows update was kind enough to pull an update down and installed it automatically ^^ only took about 21-22 hours =|