Get your Windows 7 Release Candidate while you can (that means today)
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 20th 2009 11:42AM
posted August 20th 2009 11:42AM
Been meaning to try out Windows 7 for free before taking the plunge on a final retail copy? Then you might want to get your act together, as today is the last day that you'll be able to download the Windows 7 Release Candidate direct from Microsoft itself. If you can spare a few minutes, however, we might suggest first checking out our Windows 7 install guide to get a taste of what you're in for, and, of course, our full Windows 7 review, which is quite possibly the next best thing to actually using it.
Update: We're already seeing a few issues with the download page, so anyone that's lucky enough to get a download link should probably jump on it while they can.
Update: We're already seeing a few issues with the download page, so anyone that's lucky enough to get a download link should probably jump on it while they can.
No thanks. Im already rocking the RTM. And LOVING IT.
I just built a new computer last week and was about to install the RC and thought.... F that.
Loving RTM as well!
Tried downloading it, got a message that it's not available. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx
Yeah, me too, and legally, too. It's nice to be in the computer industry.
RTM is tasty!
Yessir!
Cool
Not so cool when apps working under XP start crashing and my printer stops working!!!
Oct 22 is too long to wait for retail availability. I've been running Win 7 Beta then RC since Jan and been loving it. Although I never had any problems with Vista since its release.
Install it over the weekend on my Acer Aspire One netbook. Runs smooth on an Atom. I just need to get the official drivers for the touchpad but I for one am happy
You might be able to get Windows 7 Pro RTM for pretty cheap right now if you want.
I have a key from MSDNAA at school and then another key from the MSDNAA from joining IEEE for like $15.
Also there are some Microsoft events that will be giving it out before the 22nd, but if you're not a developer, I wouldn't bother going.
+1 who need RC, when you can get RTM :3
you do realize there is practically no difference in the latest RC and the RTM right?
appart from the face the RC will expire and the RTM will not. not bad if you get the RTM free now like myself, and it seems quite a few others have.
@snood
that is if you get a legitimate product key.....
If you got your copy off of msdn or technet, great. Now for most people who are getting the rtm off of torrents, well, I would rather not run my primary operating system off of a keygen...and you can only "rearm" to get a max of 120 days
ofcourse.. and the fact that I do have legitimate ultimate, pro, home premium, and enterprise keys makes using RC pointless.
I have 2 legit Professional keys, but I'm using a pirated Ultimate copy until my legit copy comes in the mail.
Just snagged the 32-bit and 64-bit versions last night. I'm good to go.
Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) download is no longer available
HMM.
No sense, just grab an RTM copy and re-arm a few times while evaluating...Perfectly legal.
I got the 32 bit but need the 64 bit does anyone know of another download site that is hosting the file?
Just search for a .Torrent
It'll be your best bet.
If you're a college student there's a good chance that your school has an MSDNAA account and you can use that probably.
Hmmm...XP to 7 is a pain, clean install recommended (required?) and after all is said and done no more Outlook Express available? What am I missing here?
Download the windows live program set. That has windows mail in it
If you really wanted to use Outlook Express (you must be the first person in the world) use Windows Live Mail, otherwise use Thunderbird. By the way, you probably should have used the Windows Easy Transfer software to copy your stuff from XP and then do a clean install, although I don't know whether you can get the Easy Transfer software without installing 7 somewhere. It works really nicely and even gives you a list of the programs you had installed before that you're missing now.
Whenever I actually move over to the Next Greatest MS OS, I'll do as you guys advise - appreciate the feedback.
W.r.t. Outlook Express - I've been using that probably since it was released. It literally has served me well (for decades?). W.r.t. Thunderbird - I believe that was one I tried out (for no particularly good reason other than some USENET posters said I should move away from Outlook Express!) and found it lacking - I think, for example, it didn't even =do= USENET. Since =I= don't do USENET anymore either, that is no longer a problem though it was at the time.
Backing up files before a "clean" install is a scary thought since the target PC is used for very important stuff. From win3 to win95 to win98 to xp (did I miss something there?) the upgrade process has NEVER gone smoothly - ALWAYS requiring manual intervention and uber-hours of driver/whatever trackdowns. Never a fun process.
Strangely, XP works just fine for me.
(with the exception of some missing applications like Quicken, Ubuntu works fine for me on a different machine, too).
Where the HE\\ are you guys getting the RTM?!?!
ive been thinking the same thing...
You two are kiddin, right?
I hope that these people aren't getting RTM from torrent websites, because such act is really wrong to do! All what happens is that you download the same version that will be released soon without paying any money! What is even much more annoying is the fact that such torrents are fully activated without applying any patches or CD keys! Bad hackers, bad hackers!
That is just not cool.
all i see is sites like these reaporting that the torrent has been leaked... but no actual torrent....
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=windows+7+build+7600+rtm+torrent&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
try that, scroll around, install the RTM, re-arm it till the oct 22nd then buy it
I have the RTM because I have a Microsoft MSDN Subscription. :)
Well, people who get it legally are probably involved in the software industry somehow. Eg, they have MSDN, Technet, or MSDNAA subscriptions. MSDNAA is for CS departments basically, so a lot of people who are studying CS can get Windows 7 Pro for free.
/s
I'm running the legal RTM with legal VLK thanks to my work, we're official MS-partners, I think one of my colleagues got it through something called MSDN; not sure though
It's just after noon EST and they're no longer offering the download.
How do you get an RTM copy and can I install my Eval copy on multiple PCs?
G O O G L E
G O O G L E
G O O G L E
You need MSDN to get the RTM version. I have RTM installed on a few PC's, so that's no problem.
No RJ, you don't neeed MSDN...
To get it LEGALLY, you need MSDN or Technet. To get it otherwise, you can find the torrent. You also need an activator. You can find it on mydigitallife.
RC website, still good as of 12:07 EST...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx
Link takes you to the product key page but it says download no longer available
When I go there it says "Sorry, the Windows 7 RC is no longer available for download" near the top. But it still lets you register for a product key.
sonofabitch. At 12:07 it was giving me a choice to d/l. Went to register for Live (I did NOT want it) and when I went back to this page.... Sorry.
!#$%^
Why would you run RC? Get some homies with MSDN or just get it from the scene. Either way, RTM is the way to go.
So if don't want to use torrents click here:
ex.ua/view/24100
1:1 iso's, one single direct link.
If you do not belive me, get a hashcalc and compare hashes after download.
https://technet.microsoft.com/pl-pl/subscriptions/securedownloads/default(en-us).aspx
(login with live id req.)
Refresh the Product Key page a couple times and a download link will appear. Wait a couple minutes though, I almost have mine done.