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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

jjch84@gmail.com
on Jan 9, 2009
uh sorry, actually only 64 bit
robertsjoe
on Jan 9, 2009
Some actual Microsoft news to deflect the Reality Distortion Field of Supersite for Windows: - Windows hit by a worm (not surprising) that's attacking many machines all around the world. OS X and Linux users have nothing to worry about (as per usual). - MP3 corruption in Windows 7. http://www.sci-tech-today.com/news/Microsoft-Fights-Bugs-and-Overloads/s...
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
Got in! Stimshady was spot on. 32bit key just popped up. :D
hawkrives
on Jan 9, 2009
@jjch84 Don't know about yors, but I got a 64bit key and activated my 32bit edition.
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
Update: It just activated the Torrent version of 7000 build. So you don't need to re-download it if you've got it.
jjch84@gmail.com
on Jan 9, 2009
my mistake...assumed since the url had "64" in it it would only work on 64 bit
JuryDuty
on Jan 9, 2009
For those who haven't been able to get it to stop redirecting to the blog site, I figured out the solution. Log into your Passport account, but ALSO go to technet.com and log in there. Then it won't redirect anymore.
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
the page that pops up should look like this. http://tinyurl.com/8khgpq I did make it pass the registration form earlier in the afternoon before they took it down andI had to F5 the page for about 20mins before this page popped up. I think they're slowly coming back.
JuryDuty
on Jan 9, 2009
OH. MY. GOODNESS. I finally got it. I've been refreshing for several HOURS. Multiple tabs. Single tabs. IE8 in Win7, IE8 in Vista, FF in Vista. WHEW! For what it's worth, it came through in IE8 in Win7 on a single tab refresh after waiting... was on for about 30 seconds. Thanks all! I appreciate it!
kalewallace
on Jan 9, 2009
@JuryDuty Congrats. Sorry for the wait. Glad you finally got it.
LloydSparkes
on Jan 9, 2009
@JuryDuty had you registered earlier? i have followed all your tips, but i keep getting redirected
kanwaljit
on Jan 9, 2009
Got it! Finally!!!! Had about 20 tabs open in Firefox.. Finally 4-5 of them opened up and spewed out the key.. All of them were the same keys however.. One thing I noticed, the Download button does not seem to work.. Not that it matters, of course, but just for curiosity. Were any of you who got the key able to download from the microsoft page?
stimshady
on Jan 9, 2009
nice one juryduty :) right, i'm done, got my key and off to bed... ! good luck...
hamiltonstallings
on Jan 9, 2009
"Id say this is why no one can get it. Some people ruin it for everyone. " hamiltonstallings said: ..." Better me than you!!! But its true, I DoS'd the servers. Sorry guys... (extreme sarcasm)
DRWAM
on Jan 9, 2009
Dang, I've been busy saving lives all day, so I missed all the fun. There's a partition [on my $400 Vista] laptop waiting for the 64 bit install. I'll guess that I must wait. Bummer. Oh well, I told you all that this is gonna be huge! As my kids would say Told ya so! Told ya so!"
bdizzel
on Jan 9, 2009
yea i finally got mine as well, was trying in both firefox and IE they came up at the same time and for the record 32 bit & 64 keys work on either os so it doesnt matter which you get it will work
LloydSparkes
on Jan 9, 2009
Ok im calling it a night, i have work tommorow. I wonder if i can still get a key tommorow hmmmm BTW does anyone know if the beta is released on MSDNAA?
djRob
on Jan 9, 2009
Downloading 64 bit version at 480k from the link posted here. But page with keys redirects me to windows 7 home page :(
RaaJ
on Jan 9, 2009
Doc, Try the method described here. The links to download the 32-bit and 64-bit keys are: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-32/enus/defaul... and https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-64/enus/defaul... In IE 7. I set up 8 homepages, using four 32-bit links and four 64-bit key links. Then click the 'home' icon in IE and it opens 8 tabs with these key download links. Sign into your Windows Live account first, and then keep hitting the 'home' button in the browser, which refreshes all the eight tabs simultaneously. Try it for a couple of minutes, and you WILL hit the page that shows the product keys. Then, use the links to download the 32-bit or 64-bit version .ISO directly from Microsoft's servers using the following links: 32-bit version http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0F... 64-bit version http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0F... Now go make your $400 lappy happy! You know you've been wanting to do it for a long time. Good luck.
Delmont
on Jan 9, 2009
I'm not calling bs 100%. But I know of no one ALL day that has gotten in. I do not know how some of you are claiming that you're getting in, getting a d/l and getting a key. I know of NO ONE all day. Even now I get: Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal -- we’re in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We’re sorry for the delay and we’ll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience. So again, how are you getting in from this url: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx
CompactDstrxion
on Jan 9, 2009
I used the download links posted and am now posting from Windows 7. All I can say is that this is what Vista should have always been. I remember installing the Vista beta 2 and it being slow as anything, way slower than the final release. The performance in the 7 beta is exceptional. Startup times are quick, Aero is smoother than ever- I just keep smiling! I'm on the 64-bit version and I haven't hit any compatibility snags yet. I had to install Vista x64 video and touchpad drivers and have some weird unknown devices in device manager but everything's running smooth as butter.
bdizzel
on Jan 9, 2009
@delmont if you look above and read thru the comments i was the same way until i got my key if you follow the info that juryduty wrote it will work thats how well all got it she just wrote it up for everyone to follow it just takes time but everyone i know has gotten a key but doing it that way and if you notice people have posted screen shots of there key and just masked out the key so its legit
robertsjoe
on Jan 9, 2009
What a massive failure this beta release has been. You'd think MS would be able to get a download right.
DRWAM
on Jan 9, 2009
Thanks RaaJ, I will keep trying. Worst case scenario, I buy the retail version on day one, and become even more happy with my $400 Vista/ Windows 7 laptop. I have a gift certificate from Staples, and they will definitely be selling it. Thanks again, Doc
Delmont
on Jan 9, 2009
Good, you can download it. But get a key? This site is not up yet; http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx So, how do you get the key?
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
@Delmont I'm sure you know A LOT of people but we aren't photoshopping these pictures or lying either. That link was alive for about an hour or so after 3pm EST and thats when most of us were able to register but got an "error" after the submission. Someone was aware and anal enough to copy down the URL for the error page and kept refreshing it and well the rest is history..... Checkout Neowin.com's WIn7 forum if you think it's just us over here reporting success.
DRWAM
on Jan 9, 2009
I'm gonna keep trying this weekend for a key. I need to lie on a heating pad now. Was real busy in the vascular lab, and lead ain't very light. Besides, I think that the Earth's gravitational field is getting stronger as I get older.
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
Guys who weren't able to register this afternoon. Try this. http://blog.hznet.nl/2009/01/10/how-to-receive-a-valid-windows-7-key/
mikegalos@msn.com
on Jan 9, 2009
DRWAM Hate to break it to you but P.A.M. Dirac (the physicist who postulated antimater and shared the Nobel with Schrodinger) also postulated that the force of gravity is actually weakening. You probably just need to spend more time in the vascular lab with that lead. :-)
JuryDuty
on Jan 9, 2009
@Lloyd--Yes, I had registered earlier. It took about 3 hours of refreshing once people started getting theirs for me to get mine. I wasn't as lucky as many here. I just kept getting that screen that said come back tomorrow. But I can verify the screens people are posting are legit--it just takes FOREVER to see it.
JuryDuty
on Jan 9, 2009
PS I got the 64-bit key and used it to activate a 32-bit installation without a problem.
Delmont
on Jan 9, 2009
OK...... I got the 64bit d/l complete. And just now I got a key from using your instructions. Though when I d/l the 32bit versoin, it stops at about 100meg and says complete. Weird.
darkmax
on Jan 9, 2009
Why has everyone got it and I haven't?! ARRGGHHH
Delmont
on Jan 9, 2009
Hey, Darkmax, It took me 13 hours to get it today! I'm still trying for the 32bit. Got the 64bit and key.
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
@ Delmont They keys interchangeable as far as x86/64. Or so I've heard.
darkmax
on Jan 9, 2009
i was on since yesterday afternoon... making this almost 19 hours now. I'm in Singapore....
darkmax
on Jan 9, 2009
@MontyM https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win... Try this one.
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
Monty...direct links... 32bit http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0F... 64bit http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0F...
tayme
on Jan 9, 2009
Wow, its obvious that MS is a failure...They'll have more people running a beta OS than run some other OSes within a couple of weeks!!! --tayme
robertsjoe
on Jan 9, 2009
@tayme: "Wow, its obvious that MS is a failure...They'll have more people running a beta OS than run some other OSes within a couple of weeks!!!" When will you learn? Volume means nothing. Microsoft is like McDonald's. They sell a lot of a mediocre products. Nothing more.
weedmonk
on Jan 9, 2009
"Wow, its obvious that MS is a failure...They'll have more people running a beta OS than run some other OSes within a couple of weeks!!!" Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown.....;)
Dipsh t Admin
on Jan 9, 2009
I was able to download the 64 bit iso from one of the direct links posted, and it actually went quite fast averaging about 1 MB/sec. Now I'm just trying to get the keys, but it looks like MS is totally aware of the problem, and are going to regroup in the near future. When? No one knows, so I think it's just best for us to wait for the official word from MS.
tayme
on Jan 9, 2009
@robertsjoe = Are you still here. Man, you are pathetic. You'd think that you'd give up...but thanks for continuing to entertain me! --tayme
Dipsh t Admin
on Jan 9, 2009
robertsjoe, isn't it past your bedtime? I know your mom lets you stay up late on Fridays, but if you want to get up to see Saturday morning cartoons, you better brush your teeth and get tucked in real soon. And maybe you can bug your dad for the extra money to buy those non-DRM tracks. I'm thinking I might pop a Blu-ray in to my PC and watch a movie.
tayme
on Jan 9, 2009
Got the 64 bit iso...on my Mac no less...Now doing the refresh thing for the key!!! --tayme
tayme
on Jan 9, 2009
I think that I'll try to install it in bootcamp and use the Vista bootcamp drivers...has anybody heard if that will work? --tayme
kanwaljit
on Jan 9, 2009
Hi Tayme, I installed Windows 7 (64 bit) on my Macbook pro and installed the existing vista boot camp drivers and it works perfectly.. After installation, Windows 7 will ask you to upgrade the graphics drivers via windows update.. After that, everything will work just fine.. One thing more, after boot camp driver installation, your sound may not work,.. I installed the sound drivers manually from this website -- h**p://driverscollection.com/?file_cid=403308457537b5589b53605d579 and sound worked perfectly after that.. (This link was posted by Paul somewhere on this website)..
tayme
on Jan 9, 2009
@Yawn! - I pm'd you the info about the IR Blaster... --tayme
tayme
on Jan 9, 2009
@kanwaljit - Thanks!!! I'll give it a go this weekend! --tayme
Victek
on Jan 9, 2009
Thanks for the direct links to the ISO's. Great throughput - average 1.2 meg/sec.

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