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Welcome to the Windows 7 Beta Customer Preview Program

Jan. 9, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Ladies, and Gentlemen, start your browsers...

Windows 7 is…
the next release of the Windows client operating system, built on the secure foundation of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Performance, reliability, security, and compatibility are core tenets of this release as we collect your feedback to meet our engineering goals of making Windows 7 the best-performing and most stable Windows operating system to date. New innovations in the product are designed to augment your ability as an IT professional to better provision and manage increasingly mobile PCs, protect data, and improve both end-user and personal productivity. 

See Windows 7 for yourself

We are inviting IT professionals around the world to work with the Windows 7 Beta in their lab environments and secondary PCs to help ensure smooth adoption when the final product is available and to gather feedback from real-world settings.

How can you get involved?

1. Take a look at some of the new features and functionality in Windows 7 as part of our Springboard Series guidance on the Windows Client TechCenter on TechNet. As a partner you can also see additional resources on the Microsoft Partner Program portal.

2. Download the Beta for a hands-on trial.  For a limited time, Microsoft is making this pre-release version of Windows 7 available to the first 2.5 million people who download. Ready to take a test drive? You can get one by trying the Windows 7 Beta.

As promised, 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available for download. Have fun!

Discuss this Article 227

JuryDuty
on Jan 9, 2009
Servers are being SLAMMED. I get through to the registration page, but it keeps timing out on the product key page: "The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day." Sigh.
JimJimBinks
on Jan 9, 2009
I think it's funny that it's 2009, and servers still collapse whenever a major new product is released as a free download. Even when it's Microsoft or Google releasing it. These are the technology problems we have to hurdle before we get hoverboards, flying cars, and Jaws 19 in 3D.
bdizzel
on Jan 9, 2009
where do you go to sign up im not seeing a link at www.windows7.com which is where most sites seem to link back saying there would be a sign up page
darkmax
on Jan 9, 2009
i got as far as selecting which version to download....
rkpatrick
on Jan 9, 2009
I've been trying to install the beta for a couple of days now. Drives me absolutely NUTS because it gets 32% into the last step (migration of settings) before it tells me there was an unexpected error that requires rollback. The worst part of it is that the installer doesn't tell me what the error is, so I just have to guess (guess 1, turn of antivirus; guess 2, free up some more hard disk space; guess 3, attempt to uninstall some apps the installer complains about) . Guess 3 is the worst, though, because the installers all fail to uninstall because not only will they not install on non-XP OSs, they won't even uninstall on them...very upgrade-unfriendly. If I ever find an MS feedback location for this thing, I'm going to town on the thing.
x3haloed
on Jan 9, 2009
@JuryDuty I'm running into the same. I'm not surprised.
kadarzsolt
on Jan 9, 2009
same here. the servers were not prepared for this... and here comes the punch line ( I hate to do this): and all this from a company that makes server software...
stimshady
on Jan 9, 2009
all i need is a key... these servers are being creamed...
jeremy1029
on Jan 9, 2009
This was cruel joke even for you Paul!! So close!!!
darkmax
on Jan 9, 2009
no issue with installation... I just need the damn product key
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
Me too...I want a key, but the server is getting slammed.
kadarzsolt
on Jan 9, 2009
me too. i installed it a log ago from torrent sources. seems like it is hard to get keys too.
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ GOOD BYE ZUNE !!!!!! >>Mr Ballmer seemed all but ready to throw in the towel on the Zune mobile device, which has failed to gain ground on Apple’s iPod.<< http://www.alleyinsider.com/2009/1/microsoft-may-finally-nuke-the-zune
mikefarinha3
on Jan 9, 2009
@rkpatrick Uninstall your anti-virus and any applications that might be locking system files.
kadarzsolt
on Jan 9, 2009
Paul! don't you have a few spare prodkeys to give out to your 20 loyal readers? we won't tell ms... ;-)
dan3308
on Jan 9, 2009
I hope I can get it before the 2.5 million limit is reached (I don't remember Paul saying anything about that on Windows Weekly, however I probably missed it). By the time the server congestion lets up I bet it'll be closed. :(
mikegalos@msn.com
on Jan 9, 2009
Just to put a more realistic face on it. MICROSOFT HASN'T ANNOUNCED THAT THE DOWNLOAD IS READY. Just because Paul leaked a URL doesn't mean they've turned the download servers on yet.
CompactDstrxion
on Jan 9, 2009
After a few tries I can get through to the initial form but then I never get through the next bit
rkpatrick
on Jan 9, 2009
@mikefarinha3: Did that in guess 2 (clearing out more disk space...got 22GB free, but I can't find any documentation saying how much free space is needed for an install!) Can't be any apps locking the files because that the migration stage of installation, setup has already restarted the machine and is already running in a Win7 environment. Please note, the big problem I have with this is not that something is preventing successful installation; it's that setup doesn't provide any information (not even in the event viewer/dump files...I checked all of them) to the user regarding what the error is. It's like MS decided to take the Apple-envy all the way back to MacOS 8 with its "System Bomb! Reboot - Yes or Yes?" where apparently they've decided there are no power users in the ecosystem. I had the same issue with Vista SP1 (manual installation would fail, but there wouldn't be an indication as to the cause).
abhinov.k.s
on Jan 9, 2009
the page is loading forever after i click download :(
puzder
on Jan 9, 2009
Of course the servers are slammed ... is MS supposed to build a system to handle 10Mil requests at one time to download 2.5 Mil files? c'mon be realistic
Waethorn
on Jan 9, 2009
Microsoft Connect works. Download speeds are about half of what my maximum is though - should be 7Mbit, but am getting about 350KB/sec download. If you've downloaded the Windows Driver Kit (WDK), you should've received a beta invite 3 days ago get access to Windows 7 beta. They have a Windows 7 Ultimate x86 & x64, Windows 7 Server x86 & x64, and Windows 7 Home Premium x86 & x64, all in multiple language versions. There is also a checked English version of each for debugging purposes. They have MUI language packs for Ultimate too (LIP's). As far as a product key is concerned, can't you just bypass that and use it for a 30-day trial as usual? Then just pop one in later when the servers aren't being hit as hard.
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
Mike: I can download it from...>ahem<. I just want a key.
pjc007
on Jan 9, 2009
@JuryDuty - yeah - after *many* attempts, I get past the selection page, past the windows live login, past the stupid questionairre, only to get that error on the product keys page - argh!
shark47
on Jan 9, 2009
"¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ GOOD BYE ZUNE !!!!!!" Oh, shut up, troll. Again, START YOUR OWN BLOG if you have so much anti-MS stuff to write about. I'm sure there are lot of people here who'd love to read what you have to say. Don't hijack Paul's blog.
allanmejia
on Jan 9, 2009
This is what i get: "Error The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day." GRRRRRR, I guess will just have to keep trying!!!!
BrightrevCarl
on Jan 9, 2009
It isn't surprising that the servers are having problems, as the thing is 2.5 GB. It's an absolutely enormous download, and even if you've only got 10,000 people downloading at the same time, you've got a problem. The TechNet download went incredibly well yesterday. I've got most of my usual software setup and have had no major problems so far. Windows 7 does seem to be snappier than Vista on the same machine and it definitely boots faster. I haven't run across any piece of software that doesn't work so far. NOD32 antivirus seems to work fine. The one bug I've found (and Paul mentioned this) is that Start menu search doesn't seem to learn the way Vista Start menu search did. In other words, when I search for a name in the Start menu and then click the contact record, Start menu search should start putting contact records at the top of the results. Same thing with what Paul mentioned - if you type "Note" and constantly choose Notepad, that should rise higher in the list. However, if this is the worst problem in a beta, well that's actually pretty great.
Lindy
on Jan 9, 2009
@rkpatrick IMHO, format the drive. Going to a new OS, should never be done over the top of an old one. This is true of Windows and OS X. No matter how good the process, some crap lingers. Leopard got slammed early on by some Tiger users. I read the posts at one site. In almost every case it was a install over the top of a modified version of Tiger or some application that was KNOWN to have a problem with Leopard before the ugrade was made.
EricBPhoto
on Jan 9, 2009
@ Shark47 Amen
mdsharpe
on Jan 9, 2009
the servers are toasted
CompactDstrxion
on Jan 9, 2009
Yeah I keep refreshing on this page https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-64/enus/defaul...
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
Thats news. Why do you think that that is anti-MS? I don't except an answer.
EricBPhoto
on Jan 9, 2009
Mike does have a good point. Makes sense to me.
Waethorn
on Jan 9, 2009
The Sony Vaio P might be a good system to run Windows 7 on. There's not much info on the video chipset in it though except that it's a "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator". No model though. They sell it with Windows Vista Home Premium, so it should be running Aero, but the Atom is only sold with the 945GC chipset, meaning it's not *really* Vista Premium WHQL certified, which is not someone OEM's are allowed to do. A lot of questions. I'd really like to see some netbooks with a dual-core Atom because the single-core ones are a drag (HD video is bad enough on the highest end 330, that I'd hate to see it on a single-core). There's just nothing available yet though.
mikefarinha3
on Jan 9, 2009
@rkpatrick All I can really say definitively is that I upgraded my wife's PC from XP to Vista... got all the way through the install to the point it was ready to configure the desktop and then got an ambiguous error message and rolled everything back to XP. I then uninstalled her anti-virus and the install when through without a hitch.
EricBPhoto
on Jan 9, 2009
@Ocean I would say it has to do with your history of posts. IMO
Waethorn
on Jan 9, 2009
"In almost every case it was a install over the top of a modified version of Tiger or some application that was KNOWN to have a problem with Leopard before the ugrade was made." Unsanity's Application Enhancer (APE) was a common culprit, and a popular app at the time.
subzerohitman721
on Jan 9, 2009
To anyone concerned, I found this interesting link and tidbit at AeroXP.org. http://www.aeroxp.org/board/index.php?showtopic=12105 https://partner.microsoft.com/us/40084742 "Download Windows 7 Beta Partners with a MSDN or TechNet subscription can download Windows 7 Beta now. All other partners can download Windows 7 Beta starting January 9, 2009 at 12:00 P.M. Pacific Time." 12:00 PM PT, 1:00PM MT, 2:00CT, and 3:00ET. So I think Galos is right, and its not game time yet. :(
JuryDuty
on Jan 9, 2009
@subzerohitman721 -- Thank you, that makes sense. I'll stop hitting refresh every five minutes for now. :P
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
Subzero, aren't some downloading right now? Maybe they have technet subs.
Lindy
on Jan 9, 2009
"Unsanity's Application Enhancer (APE) was a common culprit, and a popular app at the time." Probably the # 1 app that caused a problem and on the software site was info about not being Leopard compatible. This was same thing with Vista, I knew people that went over the top and some apps broke. I would ask them "did you verify your current software/hardware was supported" a answer of no, was met with "then its not Microsoft's fault" These were IT people. I am huge fan of clean install even with a new computer. OS X has way less craplets that come with a new Mac being even then I blow it away right when I get a new Mac. There are a few trial apps and extra languages that you just dont need eating up disk space. Same thing with Vista, I would use the ugrade DVD to re-install the OS, use the key on the sticker and then have to make a phone call to MS. They never had a problem with what I told them I was doing. I got a clean machine, free of even some of the vendors software, like wireless management programs that are just a different gui that does nothing better than Vista does, yet preloads junk to slow down Vista. I feel for Joe User.
EricBPhoto
on Jan 9, 2009
@ JuryDuty But that is so hard. F5 F5 F5.
boyreinvented
on Jan 9, 2009
Great! But why should I bother when most of the new features already exist in OSX anyway!
subzerohitman721
on Jan 9, 2009
@ Lindy, For once, I agree with you 100%. If your going to do any kind of install, do it clean every time. Its part of my commandments of installation. @Ocean, Either through Partners, Technet, Connect(If you downloaded an WDK as Waeth said), or Torrents, people are gaining access to the beta. I am just trying to help everyone out, so that Supersite regulars can test the beta. Nobody I know has gotten through yet, so lets chill out till the 12:00PT or 2:00CT for me. Me thinks Mr. Thurrott, "Jumped the Shark" with a preliminary posting. [Sorry Paul, but the time would have been nice, BTW. And you left yourself open for it. ;) ]
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
More on the death of the zune hardware. Software is the new black for MS...and I think it's a good direction to go in: >>As phones get more capable, as battery life gets better, people's desire to have their music with them along with their phone is certainly going to go up. I don't think the portable media category goes away. I just think it's not going to be where most of the growth is. We have some great assets in the software we do for the Zune -- both on the PC and on the Zune device -- as well as the services we provide -- Zune Social, Zune Marketplace. We see opportunities for those beyond what we do on the device itself. On whether Microsoft would ever launch a phone of its own: No<< http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/395368_msftbach09.html
lvthunder
on Jan 9, 2009
I wonder at what point you get counted as one of the 2.5 million people?
EricBPhoto
on Jan 9, 2009
@Ocean Interesting but not sure what it has to do with Windows 7 beta being available. PS I love my Zune 30gb.
Ocean
on Jan 9, 2009
Paul, Ars and Lifehacker all jumped the...ummm...Shark. :) Anyone think 2PM CT (for me) will be any smoother?
AHackney
on Jan 9, 2009
No doubt the f5 key is getting a work out today. @boyreinvented - You shouldn't so those of us who want to try win7 can.
Waethorn
on Jan 9, 2009
"Probably the # 1 app that caused a problem and on the software site was info about not being Leopard compatible. This was same thing with Vista, I knew people that went over the top and some apps broke. I would ask them "did you verify your current software/hardware was supported" a answer of no, was met with "then its not Microsoft's fault"" I said the same thing about Windows Me. It ran great for me, and was a much better OS than 98SE, but you had to have hardware that worked on it. Software wasn't an issue though, cuz it was just another Win9x. I had a Coppermine P3 600EB with an 820 chipset board with 128MB of PC100 RAM. It was an Asus motherboard - it had special support for SDR SDRAM with an additional memory controller bridge chip, since the 820 natively only supported RAMBUS at the time, and the only other option was to go with a VIA chipset (icky poo!) or wait for the 815 chipset, which wasn't out for more than a year later. I was laughing because everything worked well. I had a 20GB 1394 hard drive back then too, and 98SE didn't have proper support of OHCI 1394 unless you got special drivers from a company called "Orange" with your 1394 card. That was back when Sony had their VAIO's with their proprietary "i.Link" protocols, and you had to have special software driver support for it to work. The cards wouldn't expose themself to Windows as typical 1394 stuff like you see today. Camera control was also not supported, unless your software specifically worked with your card (think of it like how you have to use software to program many Airport wireless routers - and you can only do that on Mac's - it's infuriatingly dumb). It was a disaster back then, but Windows Me changed OS support to make it more standards-based. The rest is history.

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