Windows 7 Beta automatic shutdowns begin today, RC users safe until March 1st

You're not still running Windows 7 Beta are you? Tsk tsk, better get your RC build before your system starts spontaneously shutting down every 2 hours. As Microsoft has warned repeatedly, Windows 7 Beta builds will begin bi-hourly shutdowns starting on July 1st in a bid to move you over to the latest release candidate. RC user will suffer the same treatment starting March 1st, 2010 on the way to a June 1st expiration -- well after the October 22nd launch date of Windows 7 to retail. This concludes this Engadget public service announcement, your regularly scheduled snarkiness will return in a moment.

[Thanks, Kyle]

[patriotsn1 @ Jul 1st 2009 3:57AM]

Seems to me that there is nothing in this article that would cause people to be upset at Microsoft or bring up any other computer companies for any reason... That being said, if such an event should happen, it can here forth be considered "trolling" as this disclaimer has been posted.

[John @ Jul 1st 2009 6:44AM]

Just look at the comments below - what a pitiful excuse for a flame war.

[neofolklore @ Jul 1st 2009 8:20AM]

Well said sir, but 2010? Thats long enough for a crack to come out.

[alo8a @ Jul 1st 2009 10:42AM]

I am running Win7 Beta and so far, it has not s

[benahad @ Jul 1st 2009 4:36PM]

@alo8a - dude, i just damn near fell in the floor. Best laugh i had all day. thx.

[CJ @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:32AM]

Yeah, Windows 7 Beta is the new candlejack

Or rather, it would be, if

[Zane @ Jul 1st 2009 3:58AM]

RC is so old.. build 7260 (RTM build) is the way to go.

[Beastage @ Jul 1st 2009 5:22AM]

Doesn't mean it better, full of debug code, processes and services that slow down operation.

[John @ Jul 1st 2009 5:48AM]

You mean build 7264 :P

[BloodyHell @ Jul 1st 2009 6:47AM]

running 7624 atm =p

[TREX6662k5 @ Jul 1st 2009 8:49AM]

Its not an RTM build. Its close

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 1st 2009 11:40AM]

No thanks, serial numbers don't work on 7264.

[yoyoyo @ Jul 1st 2009 3:11PM]

John: What does that symbol in your avatar mean?

[CJ @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:36AM]

Aphex Twin logo.

[chrisk1590 @ Jul 1st 2009 3:59AM]

I have build 7057, does that mean it'll happen to me, or just 7000?

[Beastage @ Jul 1st 2009 5:25AM]

I believe 7057 is RC branch so it will have similar procedure as 7100, but you should really upgrade anyway, 7100 is far superior to 7057.

[GarrettAtreides @ Jul 1st 2009 11:59AM]

Build 7077 is the first RC build, so your copy will start shutting down unless you upgrade to something 7077 or higher.

[ddub @ Jul 1st 2009 1:41PM]

I have 7057 too. This is seriously the first time I've heard about this.

[dtatgenho @ Jul 1st 2009 6:07PM]

@chrisk1590:

Run "winver" (no quotes) at a command prompt or from the run dialog box. The window that pops up will (among other things) show you when your evaluation period expires.

[chrisk1590 @ Jul 1st 2009 6:49PM]

Cool, it expires next year. Thanks a lot.

[mex @ Jul 1st 2009 4:01AM]

so I hope Microsoft work a very fast boot :)

[Jody @ Jul 1st 2009 4:02AM]

I'm actually in the process of transferring all of my files (100+GB's) to my external hard drive. I've got the RTM build on a DVD, and am ready to install it when these files FINALLY copy over to my external hard drive. I've got 18 minutes remaining. (I started over an hour ago...)

I'm actually running build 7000 right now. Anxious to see if there are any real nice improvements from 7000 to 7260.

Yes, I'm very last minute. Whoopsie!

[Haikibutsu @ Jul 1st 2009 4:33AM]

Same here, but only 16gb. And the only thing thats really important to me there is my /b/ folder, I have all the other important stuff on several flash drives.

[Beastage @ Jul 1st 2009 5:21AM]

You don't have the RTM build... the RTM will be signed at around July 13th , then it will be recompiled into build 7300 and shipped to partners.

BTW, are you trying to admit you pirated a retail copy of windows 7? cause you know... I don't engadget approves.

[Jody @ Jul 1st 2009 6:42AM]

@Beastage, no, that is not what I am trying to say at all..

I had mistaken my version of Win 7 for another one. I am actually now running Windows 7 Build 7100 as of ten minutes ago.

[neofolklore @ Jul 1st 2009 8:17AM]

I ACCIDENTALLY WINDOWS 7

[Major4Play @ Jul 1st 2009 8:28AM]

Ever heard of partitions ? It means your data stays put and you are free to reinstall your OS, helps with fragmentation too.

[cake @ Jul 1st 2009 11:04AM]

@Haikibutsu
By /b/ folder I bet you mean furry porn.

[ZaneTwin @ Jul 1st 2009 4:04AM]

@Zane
7260 is so old.. build 7264 (RTM branch) is the way to go.

[David Katz @ Jul 1st 2009 4:11AM]

Well this sucks. So June 1st that was promised is now March 1st. 3 Months with Bi-Hourly shutdowns is a joke.

I wonder what will happen to other builds, like 7260 or 7264.

[Tes @ Jul 1st 2009 4:14AM]

What on Earth are you complaining about? I think you need to calm down and re-read the article SLOWLY so you actually get it.

[WindowsFTW @ Jul 1st 2009 4:20AM]

No, that was never what was promised.
You either read wrong or simply never read their statement.

MS was very clear (since the announcement was officially made about the RC versions intricacies) that March 1st would be the start of the bi-hourly shutdowns, whereas June 1st is when the RC will expire altogether.

Besides, I don't see what the problem is.
W7 will officially hit the shelves half a year before the bi-hourly shutdowns anyways, so anyone who wants to purchase the retail copy can do so with plenty of time to spare.

This is simply put a NON-ISSUE.
Oh, and for what it's worth, those of us who are using the RC are using the ultimate version of their OS for FREE, for ~ a year.
So what's the problem again?

[MEAT! @ Jul 1st 2009 4:14AM]

"...before your system starts spontaneously shutting down every 2 hours."
Wow, Windows 7 really is an upgrade!

[Mitchell @ Jul 1st 2009 4:16AM]

That would be funny, besides for the fact that it is a totally free beta version of an operating system that will be sold worldwide, for money.

[iFargle @ Jul 1st 2009 4:17AM]

I lol'd.

[WindowsFTW @ Jul 1st 2009 4:26AM]

What a bunch of ingrates some of you are.

You get to use the Ultimate version of their OS for FREE, for an entire year before it expires (and roughly 9 months before the bi-hourly shutdowns), and yet you still complain.

Instead of being a bunch of ungrateful whiners, go out and buy a retail copy when it hits the shelves in October, nearly half a year before March comes rolling around.

[GodCentMe @ Jul 1st 2009 5:39AM]

People like you are a complete waist of my time! Dude complaining about this is extremely unnecessary and I'm a Mac fanboy!

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 1st 2009 8:21AM]

I see a sense of humor is not required to use Windows.

[Skyride @ Jul 1st 2009 12:08PM]

@Andir3.0

What the hell does your time have to do with your waist?

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 1st 2009 12:45PM]

Say what?

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 1st 2009 12:53PM]

Ah, I see you are pointing to the wrong person.

[Bernhard @ Jul 1st 2009 4:19AM]

I think I will just stick with Vista and patch it up with the Windows 7 appearance since Microsoft is treating Europe and Vista Ultimate users like crap.

[Dking @ Jul 1st 2009 4:24AM]

actually it is not totally microsoft fault, EU keeps blocking them.. and I think it was mentioned in one of articles about price in EU...
EU is kind of bias to microsoft, cuz they never say anything to other companies (HOW STUPID IS IT TO NOT LET MICROSOFT BUNDLE THEIR IE(IT IS THEIR PRODUCT!!!))

[WindowsFTW @ Jul 1st 2009 4:32AM]

Blame it on your government(s), not on MS.

One would think Nazi's still reign supreme over the EU what with the rather capricious and draconian approaches your government(s) take when it comes to MS.

[fanman @ Jul 1st 2009 4:36AM]

Am I hearing this correctly? The EU makes one misguided move against MS so it's OK for MS to jack up the prices and talk BS about how they have to do it to comply?

I think I'll blame MS for screwing me and then lying about it thanks. The buety of the free market is that they just lost a sale to TPB.

[patriotsn1 @ Jul 1st 2009 4:49AM]

When did they jack up the prices? I just got a brand new operating system for $49.99... seems pretty good to me.

[fanman @ Jul 1st 2009 5:20AM]

In the UK its £49.99, or $82.

[Beastage @ Jul 1st 2009 5:28AM]

@ fanman , that's the same with everything really, everything in the UK costs more, iphone costs 199 and 299 pounds with contract, games cost like in the US but only with Pound replacing the USD.

[Hirudin @ Jul 1st 2009 6:47AM]

@ fanman
OMG $83! Lets all commit suicide over the insane price.

[IceKXG @ Jul 1st 2009 11:25AM]

@fanman
"The buety of the free market is that they just lost a sale to TPB."

Are you referring to ThePirateBay??? Last I heard, yesterday I think is was, it's a sunken ship...