Windows 7 RC 1 is live.....

[Bones]

If you would like to try out Windows 7, RC 1 is live, and available for download.

It will expire in March of next year (which for Microsoft is unheard of), but after that you'll have to purchase the finished product.

You can get the "Official" release from Microsoft .com.

I downloaded it this afternoon, you can get your copy as well, complete with activation key. The key that I've been using since the initial Beta release did not work.

If you are using Vista, and if you're not happy with it, give this release a try.

I've been using pirated versions (leaks)for a while now. Today I've installed the finished product. Some of the older programs that did not work under Vista, work just fine in Win 7.

My download took about 35 minutes (only cable, not fiber), and be sure to burn your ISO at 2x. Anything faster, you may not be able to install.

Enjoy.:grin1:

[dk]

Alright, it's time for me to ditch this shitty ass operating system. Thank you, Bones. <3

[Bones]

Alright, it's time for me to ditch this shitty ass operating system. Thank you, Bones. <3

Keep in mind that you will still need to update the drivers for the peripherals that you are using.

If they work under Vista, they'll work under Win7.

But this release blew my socks off. If Microsoft had released this version instead of Vista, they would be a lot richer. The final release took 18 minutes to install on my old system, as compared to over an hour for Vista.

I can play Quake 4 again....:grin1:

Bones

[dk]

I don't really have many peripherals on this laptop. Just a mouse and a printer. Hope I don't irreversibly FUBAR it, but it's worth the risk I think...

[uriel]

so how is this to use compared to Vista? i'm downloading it right now, should take about 10 minutes (microsoft doesn't exactly support my downoad manager). would you say it's easier for, say the average computer using non-enthusiast to use? i just don't want to replace vista only to find out that my wife doesn't dig it.

[DoctorP]

I need to look up the specs...wonder if it will run ok on this system?

[Blues]

should oughtta work in VMware. +1

[TheLastDon]

I heard it will be out in October. Win 7 that is.

[Bones]

I need to look up the specs...wonder if it will run ok on this system?

It should run fine Doc. It took just under 20 minutes to install on my system. Also, be aware that Microsoft has taken a few things out of this build. Windows Mail, Movie Maker,etc... You can download the missing pieces from the MS website if you need them.

Also, you have the option of disabling Internet explorer, but if you do you may have some problems with Office, as well as other applications.

[Bones]

I heard it will be out in October. Win 7 that is.

I've read that as well. Asus is planning on rolling out a Win 7 computer about that time. But it's just a rumor at this time. The good news is that RC-1 will stop working March 10, 2010. So you get to play with it for almost a whole year before you have to install the final release.:thumbup:

[DoctorP]

So I can download and install over XP now without losing information right? I'd back it up anyway, but just asking.

[Bones]

So I can download and install over XP now without losing information right? I'd back it up anyway, but just asking.

Back up all of your "valuable" data. For example your business files, pictures, the all important (for some) music files, etc....

You can't upgrade from XP. You may be able to upgrade from Vista. With the RC-1 release, you're pretty much forced to do a clean install. Some popular computer oriented sites have workarounds posted for Vista users.

I keep all of my important files backed up on floppies and DVD's, and whenever I install a new O.S., I always do a clean install. The reasons are obvious. You get rid of all of the excess baggage that has accumulated over the years, that has slowed your system down.

I have a few programs that did not run under Vista, but which are running fine under Win 7. There is a feature called XP-Mode, available only with the "Professional" edition or above, which lets you run some applications in a virtual environment. I can't testify that this is a good feature, since my processor does not support "hardware virtualization", nor do I have a touch screen monitor. But everything else seems to work just fine.

Bones