Microsoft is making the public beta of its new operating system Windows 7 available today. Read on to find out how you can get it.
How big is the download?
Microsoft's not said, but since the beta's build designation of 7000.0.081212-1400 is identical to copies that have leaked to BitTorrent, it's a good bet that the official download will be the same as the pirated files.
On BitTorrent, the downloads are: 2.44GB for the 32-bit version, 3.15Gb for the 64-bit version.
What languages are supported?
Microsoft's limited the beta to English, German, Japanese, Arabic and Hindi, with the last available only in 32-bit.
When does the beta expire?
Microsoft stayed with the August. 1, 2009 expiration date, which it had used in earlier previews of the new OS, for the beta. On that date, the beta will stop working, according to the beta's end-user licensing agreement (EULA), which reads: "This software will stop running on August 1, 2009. You may not receive any other notice. You may not be able to access data used with the software when it stops running".
What's this I've heard about a bug in Windows 7?
You've heard right. Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows Media Player 12 - the version bundled with Windows 7 - that shaves two-to-three seconds from the beginning of MP3 audio files.
Here's the scoop from a Microsoft support forum: "When MP3 files are added (either manually or automatically) to either the Windows Media Player or the Windows Media Center library, or if the file metadata is edited with Windows Explorer, several seconds of audio data may be permanently removed from the start of the file. This issue occurs when files contain thumbnails or other metadata of significant size before importing or editing them".
Microsoft has produced a patch and posted that to TechNet and MSND, the two destinations where the beta is currently available. Expect that it will do the same for the public beta tomorrow; it's also possible that the patch will be offered via Windows Update once you've installed the beta.
A support document - designated as 'KB961367' - has been assigned to the bug, but it's not yet available on Microsoft's Website.
Microsoft also recommended that users back up all MP3 files before installing the beta, and set all of them to 'read-only' status by right-clicking each file in Windows Explorer, then clicking the General tab and selecting the 'Read-only' box.
Right. Like you have time for that.
Comments
Skidz said: You know what I seriously think microsoft should give Windows 7 to anyone who bought Vista 1 Because its nothing more than a big update2 As a loyalty thank you for actually buying Vista3 To build a bigger userbase and encourage the next OSOk so im dreaming but it makes sense
Alex S said: Ive installed both flavours not at the same time of x86 and x64 and I have to say the x64 version whilst runs ok and can utilise all of my 4GB memory theres just something not right about it and I much prefer using the 32-bit variant When are we finally going to make the move to x64 without the need for things like Internet Explorer 64-bit version - it just looks a mess as did XP 64 and Vista 64 and I cant see a full shift to x64 any time soon Anyway x86 runs just fine and Im enjoying it Another problem with x64 was that it would insist on making Drive E my 7 install drive show as Drive C and not show my proper drive C at all I dont get this problem with the x86 version Finally spot on yourpcmedic - Vista is fine but has suffered because of a people who dont know how to configure an OS and b people who have never used it Enough said really
Skidz said: Why What lol
tricky said: Why
Geoff said: direpcmedic sounds more likeThe poor sod has just shot himself in the rearHe did make the valid point that most pc repairs are XP based Exactly divYou must have realised that when Vista users screw up their machine with porn they have the simple Vista facility to reset the computers back to default status And in doing so you aint going to get that wee service call-out chumpAnyway as a pc consultant I can honestly tell you that many computer repair shops have or are closing down Thankfully some are moving into Remote servicingFinally Vista is crap and the whole world now believes it especially MS staff
Don said: I downloaded 7 on Saturday burnt an ISO file and booted up Its running fine at the moment Have added various freebees like AVG and Adobe reader and my ancient version of Office Found my wireless link OK No problems so far
UH ? said: RSebire not quite sure what youre saying XP is safe until 2011 now And as for a SP4 its only had SP3 in the last calendar year
RSebire said: 4 months left on so And no viableuseable replacement avaliable Why cant we have a service pack 4 - im sure that xp has more life left in it
Yourpcmedic said: First let me begin by saying that Vista is fine NO I do not work for microsoft If you think that there are serious problems with vista you either have not tried it just get off on being negative or are short a few chromosomes That being said get with the program or shut up and enjoy your linux Good luck running most apps and using most hardware though I have been running vista since beta and have had no serious issues i repair computers for a living and all my customers with serious virus problems are running xp i am sick and tired of ignorant trolls spreading misinformation about Microsoft products
silverous said: Would be very useful article if the MS server didnt say Server busy or some message to that effect Nice one microsoft