A lot of people have been talking about Windows 7 lately. A lot of people have been downloading it and giving it a try, too. Many, though, may be wondering where they got it. I looked into it. It isn’t so mysterious.
Many have probably been getting Windows 7 through back channels such as BitTorrent. Ever since Microsoft made the developer preview available at the PDC conference, it has been making the rounds. But, you are not forced to go this route if you want to check out the new OS. Microsoft is making Windows 7 freely available as a beta.
The beta version is set to expire on August 1, 2009. Before that time, you’ll either need to begin using an earlier version or install a newer version of Windows 7.
When you get to the download page, select the 32-bit or 64-bit version and our language. You’ll then be directed to your Windows Live login. Yes, you need a Windows Live ID to get the download. Once you’ve entered your login, you will need to fill in an online form with some basic information, including your name, email, country, etc. You will then be given a Windows 7 product key. I suggest you print that page as you will obviously need the product key to install the program. After that, hit the big “Download Now” button to grab your copy.
As you can see, it is a 2.44 GB ISO file. You’ll need to burn the ISO to a DVD file and then install to a dedicated machine. I would recommend a dedicated machine to play around with Windows 7. As you can no doubt tell from the screenshot above, I am using a Mac. But, I will not be installing Windows 7 to my Mac. I will pull out one of my dedicated PCs and give it a try there.
And I’ll report back what I find. 
Like what you read?
If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:
I have a 1.5 TB drive and a 320GB drive in my machine. Is it possible to just dual boot? I know this might screw with the Master Boot File but that is repairable. I am tempted, but reluctant.
Yes, you can dual boot it. I had it with Vista on my laptop.
I did that with my box–the dual boot works perfectly without any issues whatsoever. You automatically get a startup menu that asks if you want Windows 7 or an earlier version.
I was worried about that too, but no issue!
I have been running Windows 7 since just after the public beta release, and I have to say that (as a Mac user) I have been very happy with it. Not only does it look nice, but it also seems to run with very little issue. I am not sure it would convince me to switch back over to Windows, but seems to be as close as Microsoft has come in a long time.
And for Jester, yes you can set it up as a dual-boot, I have Win7 booting with XP and also Ubuntu. Like you mentioned when you remove it, you will have to fix the boot file.
I have very slow Internet connection so is it possible to use someone else’s downloaded copy for installation using a CD-Key which I have?
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Windows 7. However, having just switched to Mac for my home computing, I’m not going to go out of my way to get my hands on it. I *might* wait until it’s officially released and see if I can get my hands on a copy.
I’m just so burned out with Windows/Microsoft at this point, though, that I just don’t really care.
You will only be able to download the beta until the February 10th and if you’re not completely done downloading by the 12th you’re out of luck.
If you want the BETA go download it now!
see : http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/01/23/general-availability-for-the-windows-7-beta-to-end.aspx
I’m thinking of downloading and running on my desktop which has xp on it now. Will the installation ask if you want to dual boot? If I do it how do you fix the boot file when it’s uninstalled?
I’m am thinking about downloading and running it on my desktop which has xp. Will the install ask if you want to install to dual boot? When it’s unstalled how do you fix your boot file>
I be looking forward to the review. I can’t stand beta software. I like official releases because it’s more stable and reliable. I installed it on a 250GB HDD and I just couldn’t get over the bugs.
Not having an extra testing machine has not stopped me from trying Windows 7. Just grab VirtualBox and give it a whirl…they’ve even updated the program to support windows 7!
Windows 7 is a joke. Service pack for Vista at best. And the fact that you have to log in to get updates – talk about built in spyware…