Windows 7 Release Candidate: Download instructions

[Osiris]

Welcome to Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) testing. We're on our way to Windows 7, and if you like trying out pre-release software, now's your chance. You get to see what's coming, and we get to see if our changes and fixes from the Beta testing are working correctly.
How do you test the software? You put it on your PC, and then do what you'd normally do. Your PC will automatically and anonymously send our engineers the information they need to verify the fixes and changes they made based on the Windows 7 Beta tests.
Here's what you need to know:

This is pre-release software, so please read the following to get an idea of the risks and key things you need to know before you try the RC.

• You don't need to rush to get the RC. The RC will be available at least through July 2009 and we're not limiting the number of product keys, so you have plenty of time.
• Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use. (Learn more about installing Windows.)
• Protect your PC and data. Be sure to back up your data and please don't test the RC on your primary home or business PC.
• Tech details/updates: Before installing the RC, please read the Release Notes and Things to Know for important information about the release.
• Keep up with the news. You can keep up with general technical information and news by following the team blog. And, you can get non-technical news, tips, and offers by subscribing to the monthly Exploring Windows newsletter.
• Keep your PC updated: Be sure to turn on automatic updates in Windows Update in case we publish updates for the RC.
• Installation: You can install the Windows 7 RC on a PC running Windows Vista without backing up the PC—but we encourage you to make a backup for safe keeping. If you're running Windows XP or the Windows 7 Beta, you'll need to backup your data, then do a clean installation of the RC, then reinstall your applications and restore your data. If you need to do a backup, please see How to back up your PC for more details and a suggestion for how to backup a PC running Windows 7 Beta or Windows Vista.
• To install and use the RC, you'll need to know how to:
  • Troubleshoot problems. You're pretty much flying solo, so you'll need to handle your own tech support, and rely on other RC testers for their know-how
  • Burn an ISO file to make an installation DVD
  • Install Windows
  • Backup and restore your PC
  • Set up a network
  • Create and use a system recovery disk
• To learn more about the Windows 7 RC, see Frequently asked questions.

Here's what you need to have:

• Internet access (to download Windows 7 RC and get updates)
• A PC with these system requirements:
  • 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
  • 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
  • DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
  Please note these specifications could change. And, some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware.

Get the download

The 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 RC are available in five languages: English, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish. Just choose the version that fits the system you'll be using, pick your language, and click go to register for and download the RC.
Downloading the Windows 7 RC could take a few hours. The exact time will depend on your internet provider, bandwidth, and traffic. The good news is that once you start the download, you won't have to answer any more questions – you can walk away while it finishes. If it gets interrupted, it'll restart where it left off. See this FAQ for details.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

 

[Asylum]

Thanks for the post!!

 

[KSoD]

It was also already posted in the Sticky topic with links...

 

[Osiris]

My bad

Windows 7 RC Has Bi-Hourly Shutdowns Next Year

A handful of you guys sent me e-mail saying that the Windows 7 RC will begin bi-hourly shutdowns starting 3-01-2010 and you will have to replace the OS and reinstall all your programs. Yuck. I'd rather just have the trial period end instead of the whole "reduced functionality" mode stuff.

This is a very important question, Windows 7 RC has an expiration date. To avoid interruption, you'll need to rebuild your test machine using a valid version of Windows before the software expires. Windows will notify you that the expiration process is beginning and two weeks later your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. The RC will expire June 1, 2010, and the bi-hourly shutdowns will begin on March 1, 2010. You'll need to rebuild your test PC to replace the OS and reinstall all your programs and data.

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[forrestcupp]

Cool. An admin and super moderator fight!

 

[Yami]

Hey can I get a quick bit of help on installing this?
Currently I have my main 640GB drive as XP, and my 80GB is split into two 40GB partitions, one with Windows 7 build 7000, and the other with Ubuntu 9.04 beta; thing is, I believe if I just format the 80GB for the W7 RC, then the boot list thing on PC startup will be messed up, since it's run by Ubuntu, right? (since that was the latest installed). So, what do I need to do to get it working?

Thanks ^_^

 

[forrestcupp]

Hey can I get a quick bit of help on installing this?
Currently I have my main 640GB drive as XP, and my 80GB is split into two 40GB partitions, one with Windows 7 build 7000, and the other with Ubuntu 9.04 beta; thing is, I believe if I just format the 80GB for the W7 RC, then the boot list thing on PC startup will be messed up, since it's run by Ubuntu, right? (since that was the latest installed). So, what do I need to do to get it working?

Thanks ^_^

You need to go to Ubuntu Forums and do a search for how to restore grub. It's a Linux problem, and they are better suited to help you with that. There are plenty of threads there helping that specific problem.

 

[KSoD]

No. While the boot is controlled by GRUB right now, when you install Win7 RC it will be controlled by the BCD and you will lose the ability to boot into Ubuntu at that time. You will need to get EasyBCD and add a entry for Ubuntu to be able to boot back to it.

 

[forrestcupp]

No. While the boot is controlled by GRUB right now, when you install Win7 RC it will be controlled by the BCD and you will lose the ability to boot into Ubuntu at that time. You will need to get EasyBCD and add a entry for Ubuntu to be able to boot back to it.

Well, you could do it either way. GRUB comes up before the Windows bootloader. So you could either have a Windows entry in Grub or an Ubuntu entry in the BCD. I know it works by restoring Grub because I've done it that way.

 

[KSoD]

Yes you could also restore GRUB after you install Windows 7. Either way will work. One requires you to add a entry for Linux the other requires you to restore their boot loader and modify it for use with the new Windows OS.

It will work either way. Just depends on if you like GRUB or BCD better.