You might have read our article about the Windows 7 Tech Guarantee Program back in November which basically stated that Windows Vista users might receive a free Windows 7 upgrade depending on the time of their purchase. Some new information came to light that have not been confirmed yet by Microsoft.
Techarp, a technology website, has listed the requirements for receiving a free Windows 7 upgrade. They do mention that the program is optional meaning that not all OEMs might participate.
A new PC has to be purchased between July 1, 2009 and a date that has not been announced yet. A pre-installed version of either Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate has to be supplied with the PC that must have a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached.
The upgrade paths are straightforward:
1. Windows Vista® Home Premium -> Windows® 7 Home Premium
2. Windows Vista® Business -> Windows® 7 Professional
3. Windows Vista® Ultimate -> Windows® 7 Ultimate
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Windows 7 64-bit Leaked
The first 64-bit version of Windows 7 has been apparently leaked as signs of it begin to appear on various torrent websites. The full file name is said to be 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULXFRE_EN_DVD.ISO with a file size of 3.15 Gigabytes.The CES 2009 keynote by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is just around the corner and it does not really make much sense to download the leaked release as the official public beta version will also be released in the coming days.
First Windows 7 Beta Patch Fixes MP3 Bug
Reports early this week suggested a bug in the Windows 7 Beta that cut of parts of the beginning of mp3 files under certain circumstances. The bug was later confirmed by Microsoft officials who reassured the public that the issue would not be a problem in the public beta release of Windows 7. Microsoft has released a patch for the mp3 bug that only Technet or MSDN subscribers can download currently from official sources. Many websites (Redmondpie) have posted the patch on their website from where it can be downloaded and applied on 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7.
Microsoft confirmed that the patch will be supplied via automatic updates and that a public Knowledgebase article is in the making. It is probably safe to say that automatic updates will list the page before January 9 to ensure that all beta downloaders get the patch before they start working with mp3 files on Windows 7.a beta product key though.
Microsoft confirmed that the patch will be supplied via automatic updates and that a public Knowledgebase article is in the making. It is probably safe to say that automatic updates will list the page before January 9 to ensure that all beta downloaders get the patch before they start working with mp3 files on Windows 7.a beta product key though.
Windows 7 Beta Includes DirectX 11
We have already mentioned about two months ago that DirectX 11 will ship with the final release of Windows 7. Several users in the Windows 7 Forum have now reported that DirectX 11 is already included in the Windows 7 Beta build that is being released publicly today.
Windows 7 Beta Download Up
While the official English Windows 7 site is still not showing signs of the Windows 7 Beta the Chinese (English translation)Microsoft Technet website is already offering Windows 7 Beta as a 32-bit and 64-bit download for all beta languages. Users need a Windows Live login before they can download the beta version and the site seems to have some troubles at the moment spilling out errors when trying to download it. Some users are already downloading the official beta release from the Technet site.
Update:
The download link on the English page is up.
Update 2:
Due to very heavy traffic we’re seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta. We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and I’ll be posting here again soon once the beta goes live. Stay tuned! We are excited that you are excited!
Update 3:
Direct Download link has been posted. Click on the following download links to download the 32-bit or 64-bit English ISO directly. You still need to get a beta product key though.
Update:
The download link on the English page is up.
Update 2:
Due to very heavy traffic we’re seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta. We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and I’ll be posting here again soon once the beta goes live. Stay tuned! We are excited that you are excited!
Update 3:
Direct Download link has been posted. Click on the following download links to download the 32-bit or 64-bit English ISO directly. You still need to get a beta product key though.
Windows 7 Beta Release Postponed
Yesterday was a very busy day for Microsoft. The first official download links for Windows 7 Beta releases started to appear on the Chinese Technet website. Some users, like Riso from the Windows 7 forum, managed to get their holds on the beta. They did receive the beta key and the ISO download. Others who got there minutes afterwards noticed that the site was serving pages slowly and that errors started to occur regularly. Many were able to fill out the form on the first page but got an error message when the download link and product key of Windows 7 were supposed to appear.
Other Microsoft websites began to include the link to the beta download of Windows 7 on their websites but it soon became obvious that all Microsoft servers were crumbling under the heavy load. Later that day the direct download links became known and users started to download the official releases but they still did not receive the keys.
Other Microsoft websites began to include the link to the beta download of Windows 7 on their websites but it soon became obvious that all Microsoft servers were crumbling under the heavy load. Later that day the direct download links became known and users started to download the official releases but they still did not receive the keys.
How To Get A Windows 7 Beta Key Right Now
The official sites are not displaying links to download the Windows 7 Beta anymore. They tell the users that the beta release has been postponed because of the high demand. The interesting thing though is that the servers that are distributing the keys are still online and that keys are still handed out. The problem is that those servers are not used to the amount of traffic that they are currently receiving and that an error message will be shown most of the time before a valid Windows 7 Beta product key will be displayed. Here is what you need to do:
Download and Install the Firefox add-on Check For Change. The add-on can be used to refresh a website in a specified interval. It will stop that if the selected display on the website changes.
Sign In on the Microsoft Technet Website. If you do not sign in you will be redirected if you try to open one of the following two urls: (copy and paste the links, do not click on them)
32-bit: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033
64-bit: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033
You will most likely see Error: The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day.
Select the text, right-click and chose Check4Change, Check every 15 seconds.
The Firefox add-on willl automatically refresh the website every 15 seconds. It will stop doing so once the display on the website changes. You could do this manually but some users mentioned that they refreshed the website for hours before receiving a product key.
Download and Install the Firefox add-on Check For Change. The add-on can be used to refresh a website in a specified interval. It will stop that if the selected display on the website changes.
Sign In on the Microsoft Technet Website. If you do not sign in you will be redirected if you try to open one of the following two urls: (copy and paste the links, do not click on them)
32-bit: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033
64-bit: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033
You will most likely see Error: The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day.
Select the text, right-click and chose Check4Change, Check every 15 seconds.
The Firefox add-on willl automatically refresh the website every 15 seconds. It will stop doing so once the display on the website changes. You could do this manually but some users mentioned that they refreshed the website for hours before receiving a product key.
Microsoft Lifts Windows 7 Beta Download Limit
Microsoft has decided to lift the 2.5 million user limit they initially planned as a response to the release chaos on January 9. The announcement was posted yesterday on the The Windows Blog:
I know many of you have had issues with the Windows 7 Beta site over the last 24 hours. As you may have noticed the download site has been up and running smoothly since this morning. That said, we apologize for the inconvenience that it caused some of you.
Due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience. We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit.
Thank you for your enthusiasm, interest and willingness to beta test. It has been great to see the positive early reviews and feedback. As you know, this is a beta product. We are working hard to get Windows 7 ready and right. Your input is a critical part of that process. Thank you!
I know many of you have had issues with the Windows 7 Beta site over the last 24 hours. As you may have noticed the download site has been up and running smoothly since this morning. That said, we apologize for the inconvenience that it caused some of you.
Due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience. We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit.
Thank you for your enthusiasm, interest and willingness to beta test. It has been great to see the positive early reviews and feedback. As you know, this is a beta product. We are working hard to get Windows 7 ready and right. Your input is a critical part of that process. Thank you!
Windows 7 Beta Signs Appearing On Technet China website
The Technet China website was update today. It is the first site that is showing information about the Windows 7 Beta in the Technet Evaluation Center. Windows 7 is mentioned twice on the page. The first is a short paragraph about the Windows 7 Beta. A link will be added at a later time that will lead to download links.
Windows 7 Beta
Windows 7 to explore ways to help IT organizations to better manage and protect client infrastructure, and learn more about IT professionals can increase productivity of important new features. Exploration in the organization to test, as well as the deployment of Windows 7 necessary tools and resources.
Windows 7 Beta
Windows 7 to explore ways to help IT organizations to better manage and protect client infrastructure, and learn more about IT professionals can increase productivity of important new features. Exploration in the organization to test, as well as the deployment of Windows 7 necessary tools and resources.
Technical Preview of Kaspersky Anti-Virus For Windows 7
developer Kaspersky has released a first technical preview version of the upcoming Kaspersky Anti-virus solution for Windows 7. The release can be downloaded directly from the Kaspersky ftp site. Its current version is 8.0.0.1015. Below is the full Kaspersky press release:
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management systems, announces the release of a technical prototype of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 7.
Windows 7 is the next release of the Microsoft Windows operating system which will replace Windows Vista and is a step forward in the development of Microsoft operating systems. The new OS will incorporate enhanced reliability, greater efficiency, an improved interface and extended working features both in global and local information networks.
The technical preview is a complex solution for securing computers running under Windows 7. The prototype includes not only an antivirus component but an effective and fully functional firewall and anti-spam filter.
At the heart of the new technical prototype is Kaspersky Lab’s new antivirus engine which is even more effective at detecting malicious programs than its predecessor. The new engine dramatically increases system scanning speed thanks to improved processing of objects and optimized use of system resources, particularly on dual- and quad-core processor platforms. The unique product architecture ensures high productivity and one of the lowest uses of system resources in the industry.
The technical preview includes a highly effective heuristic analyzer. The heuristic analyzer detects and blocks as yet unknown malicious programs. If a program signature is not included in the antivirus databases, i.e., the malicious program is unknown, the heuristic analyzer will safely launch the program in an isolated virtual environment, analyze the program’s actions and conclude with a high degree of probability whether it is potentially harmful before it is launched in a live environment.
In addition, the technical prototype includes a new user interface developed to meet the needs of both inexperienced and advanced users.
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management systems, announces the release of a technical prototype of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 7.
Windows 7 is the next release of the Microsoft Windows operating system which will replace Windows Vista and is a step forward in the development of Microsoft operating systems. The new OS will incorporate enhanced reliability, greater efficiency, an improved interface and extended working features both in global and local information networks.
The technical preview is a complex solution for securing computers running under Windows 7. The prototype includes not only an antivirus component but an effective and fully functional firewall and anti-spam filter.
At the heart of the new technical prototype is Kaspersky Lab’s new antivirus engine which is even more effective at detecting malicious programs than its predecessor. The new engine dramatically increases system scanning speed thanks to improved processing of objects and optimized use of system resources, particularly on dual- and quad-core processor platforms. The unique product architecture ensures high productivity and one of the lowest uses of system resources in the industry.
The technical preview includes a highly effective heuristic analyzer. The heuristic analyzer detects and blocks as yet unknown malicious programs. If a program signature is not included in the antivirus databases, i.e., the malicious program is unknown, the heuristic analyzer will safely launch the program in an isolated virtual environment, analyze the program’s actions and conclude with a high degree of probability whether it is potentially harmful before it is launched in a live environment.
In addition, the technical prototype includes a new user interface developed to meet the needs of both inexperienced and advanced users.
Windows 7 Beta Damages Some MP3
It is probably fair to say that the Windows 7 builds that have been floating around on the Internet are very stable and that only a handful of minor errors have been reported yet. According to Neowin the latest two builds of Windows 7 that leaked to the Internet may damage mp3 files under certain circumstances.
The problem was first recognized by users who noticed that the first few seconds of their mp3 files had been cut off. Some thought it was related to bad crossfading first but it soon turned out that the data was not there anymore. Many users thought it was caused by Windows Media Player 12 but it turned out to be a global problem.
It does however only happen under the following circumstances: The first few seconds of a mp3 file will be cut in Windows 7 if the header of the mp3 file is larger than 16 Kilobytes and if meta data is written to the file. Some media players are able to automatically add missing meta data which is the most likely cause.
The changes are irreversible and it is advised to backup the mp3 collection before using them in the current builds of Windows 7. A Microsoft employee has confirmed the bug in the forum. According to his statement Microsoft is working on a hotfix for the problem.
According to him the public beta which will be released in early January will not be affected by the problem.
The problem was first recognized by users who noticed that the first few seconds of their mp3 files had been cut off. Some thought it was related to bad crossfading first but it soon turned out that the data was not there anymore. Many users thought it was caused by Windows Media Player 12 but it turned out to be a global problem.
It does however only happen under the following circumstances: The first few seconds of a mp3 file will be cut in Windows 7 if the header of the mp3 file is larger than 16 Kilobytes and if meta data is written to the file. Some media players are able to automatically add missing meta data which is the most likely cause.
The changes are irreversible and it is advised to backup the mp3 collection before using them in the current builds of Windows 7. A Microsoft employee has confirmed the bug in the forum. According to his statement Microsoft is working on a hotfix for the problem.
According to him the public beta which will be released in early January will not be affected by the problem.
How Windows 7 Deals With Crashed Applications
Windows 7 offers an interesting new option when a software program becomes unresponsive. Windows 7 offers to try to cancel the non-responsive command of a process instead of just killing the process or offering to restart the application.The user can continue working with the application if the cancellation of the non-responsive command is successful. This essentially means that the chance of loosing data is slim to none one a successful cancellation.
The success rate of this new method is not known currently but it did work quite well during tests. This is definitely the better - and safer - option than to simply kill the application or restart it. Both methods that have been used in previous Windows versions usually meant that some data would be lost in the process.
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