Where to get official windows 7 beta until jan 24! Update!

[jaqiefox]

UPDATE: "Microsoft has changed its plan and removed the initial 2.5 million user limit. Instead, Windows 7 beta 1 is now available to everyone through January 24th." source

32 bit version: http://download.microsoft.com/download/ ... EN_DVD.iso
64 bit version (NOT for old pcs OR the S10!): http://download.microsoft.com/download/ ... EN_DVD.ISO

Steps:
Go to their official download site at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx
Look for the download link there. you will need a key from them to make your beta last more then 30 days, without the key it will only work for 30 days. If the download link is not there yet, come back later. Remember, they are only handing out 2.5 million keys - get yours as soon as the download link is posted there.

After getting the key (or before) download the OS. the links above work right now and are direct from microsoft's servers. If you want the beta for only 30 days, don't bother with getting keys, the ISO will run for 30 days without one.

Getting it is proving difficult if you do not have a download program that supports automatic resuming, as the download is failing on me many times during, and my download manager is auto-resuming the download many times, many others are complaining of the same problems. To get it, you should use a third party downloading utility such as GetRight (I actually bought the full version, it's insanely good) or flashget which is entirely freeware.

Once you have it, burn the ISO to a 4.7GB (single layer) DVDR disc. For XP/2000/9x/vista there is a free tool to burn discs, avaliable here: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download you will have to install that program to burn the image to a disc in a usable format. If you have your own tool make sure you don't burn the file to the disc as a data file, it must be burned as a disc image.

Once burned, just install the OS. Remember, installing an OS will wipe your hard drive and this is just a time limited beta. back up your data first. If you want to try it without wiping your os, you can install it into a virtual machine (google virtualbox for a free one) or install multiboot, but that is a complex and possibly data destroying error prone process if you do not already know how.

Once you have it installed, get and install this patch:

for 32 bit versions: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... b859a242b7
for 64 bit versions: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... c63d55626d

Enjoy the beta! I know I will!
Remember, it's a beta! EXPECT it to have problems including ones that could corrupt data!
This beta will expire (stop booting/working) on august the 1st, 2009.

Locked topic to keep it from turning into a monster thread, it appears this is all the information needed. if more is needed, make a new thread saying so, and I will be happy to add information to it!

[spidey81]

Is there any specific way to contact Microsoft about getting a license?

[jaqiefox]

Go to their official download site at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx
Look for the download link there. you will need a key from them to make your beta last more then 30 days, without the key it will only work for 30 days. If the download link is not there yet, come back later. Remember, they are only handing out 2.5 million keys - get yours as soon as the download link is posted there.

[spidey81]

sorry if I'm being a bit thickheaded here, but are you trying to tell me that I will be given a key when I use the official download link?

I've never really dealt with any type of beta releases with MS, so please bear with me, and thanks for any help/advice in advance.

[jaqiefox]

when they post it, yes, youll register, get a key, and be given a download link.

[irish]

here are the official product key pages to give you the activation key good till august!
you might have to keep hitting refresh. and you might have to be logged into your msn passport
but i just got both my keys just a few minutes ago! goodluck!

P.S. when you go to that page to get your KEY's there will be a button on bottom to the direct download page to download the OS or you can use the direct download links posted above.
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32 bit key
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperienc ... fault.aspx
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64 bit key
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperienc ... fault.aspx
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Be advised.

The Windows 7 Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009.

To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date. See Installing the Windows 7 Beta.

[MalibuJack]

I'm not sure if you guys experienced this yet, but activation on the beta seems to lock the installation to a single install. I noticed this yesterday when I did an install to a standalone hard disk partition through VMWare, tested it for awhile, then installed the hard disk in my S10 and discovered it needed to be reactivated, but when I attempted to reactivate it errored out and asked me to call the microsoft service with the automated code, which subsequently didn't work, and put me to an operator, which couldn't get it to work either. I basically just went back to my MSDN account and generated a new serial number instead. I'm sure this will change as it seems unreasonable to do this in anything other than a limited beta. Even production allows 10 activations per serial number (Thats enough for a lifetime of rebuilds, and is as easy as a phone call to start the counter over if you go beyond it)

[irish]

actually each key is only going to work for 3 computers and all beta OS's will SHUTDOWN on august 1 2009, prior to the final release.

[jaqiefox]

here are the official product key pages to give you the activation key good till august!

We are sorry, the page you requested cannot be found.

They took those down yesterday during the rush which crushed their servers.

[irish]

i just used the pages soon as i posted it here and actually got 5 keys for 32 and 64 bit./ you have to be logged in to your passport as well. my activation was successful here is a screenshot.
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