Microsoft: Windows 7 Beta Shutdown Starting July 1, not June 1

A weekend e-mail from Microsoft incorrectly stated the start date for bi-hourly Windows 7 beta shutdowns, the company said in a Tuesday blog post.

The e-mail warned users that the beta version of Windows 7 would expire on August 1 and suggested that users upgrade to "non-expired" copies, like Windows 7 RC or Windows Vista. Bi-hourly shutdowns of the beta version, however, will begin on July 1, not June 1.

"The Windows 7 Beta does expire on August 1, 2009; unfortunately the date for when bi-hourly shutdowns will begin for the Windows 7 Beta was incorrect," wrote Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc. "Bi-hourly shutdowns for the Windows 7 Beta will begin July 1, 2009."

"We apologize for the confusion and inconvenience this may have caused," he said.

What are your views on Windows 7?

The curtain has been raised (slightly) on the next installment of Microsoft's Windows operating system - Windows 7.

Microsoft hope it will bring the internet, mobile phone and PC closer together.

What are your views on Windows 7? Share your beta experience.


Review ByGeek God:

Code-named Windows Vienna and most popularly known as Windows 7 , this OS has definitely managed to get attention of everyone. At the first look , it may seem to be just the eye candy changed from Vista and a few settings tweaked , but look carefully and you will find the difference.


Well everyone of us knows that Windows Vista has been a partial disaster. Keeping this in mind , Microsoft has launched a Public beta of this version available for the public and a different version of the Beta for the Developers.

With expectations running high on this OS , keep an eye out for it to be released somewhere in the late 2009 to the starting 2010 release .
I laid my hand on the latest Public Beta Build 7000

Here is what Windows 7 has to offer you


Starting with step by step , the installation is a cakewalk , with the screen asking for Update or a Custom Installation . The Custom Installation will be a Fresh Installation type whereas the Update will update your OS.

The rest of the steps are self explanatory and are very much user-oriented and very easy. In short Microsoft has made this Beta with the Basic User in mind .

The Taskbar has been widened to give a classy look. The Gadgets are movable and the sidebar has been removed . On the bottom right , the button u see is a SHOW DESKTOP button which will minimize all the windows and show the Desktop.

One of the Important feature is the Action Center , which provides you with the important messages and all the recent messages about your Computer's status and recent problems. This is an innovative feature of combining all the errors in one center , thereby minimizing the error messages. A look at the error messages , will show you how Microsoft is hell bent upon to take User Experience to a newer level
You can access the Action Center by clicking on the Flag-Icon on the Taskbar

The Windows Taskbar as I said earlier is re imagined with the size being broader. Hovering over the thumbnails brings the live preview of the Window and if you have three windows open , the windows vary in size. Also a thing to notice is , a stack like menu has been added to the Taskbar , so that it becomes easy for you to access recent files.

The Start Menu also has the Jump lists but these are only for recommended programs or for programs which can support the feature and this includes MS PAINT , MS WORD , INTERNET EXPLORER 8 Beta 2.

One of another eye-catching feature is when you drag a window toward the top of the screen , it maximizes itself.

A Cool feature of Windows 7 is the newly added Microsoft Paint. With the Ribbon bar interface applied , it no longer is the dull painting application anymore. With a clear and lucid interface , this is a thing to wait and watch for.


Now that the Explorer is an important part of any OS , extreme care has been taken with the Windows 7 Explorer. A nice and clean table on the left ensures that any location in the Computer is reached easily. The Stack menu option on the taskbar is also enabled for the Explorer. When you click on the Explorer button on the taskbar , a stack-up menu opens up showing your recent files

Now Updates and Notifications have always been considered as an annoying feature of Windows Operating systems , but the problem has been solved . The Action Center displays all the Updates , the problems and the issues with your Computer , as we said earlier and also patches it.

Now Controlling those notifications is very easy and you can turn this on or off , by clicking on the "Wrench" and choosing which notification , you want to see. Believe me , it cannot get more noobish than this.


Gone is the Properties Option in the Context Menu , Welcome the Personalization feature of Windows 7. One click and the whole theme changes and can be made to suit your Desktop. Also on the Context Menu of the Desktop , you can notice the Resolution Tab which is used to set up the Resolution for the monitor

Having said all this , Here ends the part for the Visualization part of Windows 7 , but what exactly is new with Windows 7 except for the eye candy and few under the hood tweaks.As we said that there are very few differences from Windows Vista , but these are the differences which has made Windows 7 a hit almost everywhere , Lets take a look at Under the hood tweaks.

1) Enhanced support for Next Gen BluRay Discs and drives
2) Enhanced Bluetooth 2.1 Transfer support , which enables the faster ransfer of files on Bluetooth enabled Laptops and also through Bluetooth Dongle used through the PC.
3) Handwriting Support and recognition technology for Tablets
4) Less Hardware Requirements . Windows 7 can run on a PC with 512 Mb Ram with optimized settings.
5) No Need for creating new softwares for the OS , as Softwares made for Windows Vista and even for Windows Xp work on Windows 7 . Now Companies can heave a sigh of relief over not needing to buy a new software especially for Windows 7

Note : There is a small bug in Windows 7 that can cut out your 3 seconds of Mp3 file , hopefully it has been patched . If you have Installed Windows 7 , do update your Pc. By the time , you will be reading this , Microsoft has implemented 6 patches for Windows 7 , Do apply it and update your Windows 7

WindowsXP Vs Windows Vista Vs Windows 7

Windows 7 Beta Performance Test

Is Windows 7 faster than Windows XP and Windows Vista. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes over at ZDNet answers this question with 20 real world tests. In this series of tests Windows 7 wins by a big margin, which is very, very promising.

The tests

There are 23 tests in all, most of which are self explanatory:

1. Install OS - Time it takes to install the OS
2. Boot up - Average boot time to usable desktop
3. Shut down - Average shut down time
4. Move 100MB files - Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another
5. Move 2.5GB files - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another
6. Network transfer 100MB files - Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device
7. Network transfer 2.5GB files - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device
8. Move 100MB files under load - Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file
9. Move 2.5GB files under load - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file
10. Network transfer 100MB files under load - Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file
11. Network transfer 2.5GB files under load - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file
12. Compress 100MB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
13. Compress 1GB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
14. Extract 100MB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
15. Extract 1GB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
16. Install Office 2007 - Ultimate version, from DVD
17. Open 10 page Word doc - Text only
18. Open 100 page Word doc - Text and images only
19. Open simple Excel doc - Basic formatting
20. Open complex Excel doc - Including formula and charts
21. Burn DVD - Win 7 beta 1 .ISO to disc using CDBurnerXP
22. Open 10 page PDF - Text only, using latest Adobe Reader 8
23. Open 100 page PDF - Text and images, using latest Adobe Reader 8

These series of tests will pitch Windows 7 build 7000 32-bit against Windows Vista SP1 32-bit and Windows XP SP3 32-bit. The scoring for each of the tests is simple. The winning OS scores 1, the runner up 2 and the loser scores a 3. The scores are added up and the OS with the lowest score at the end wins.

The test systems

I’ve used two desktop systems as the test machines:

• An AMD Phenom 9700 2.4GHz system fitted with an ATI Radeon 3850 and 4GB of RAM
• An Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 2.2GHz fitted with an NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS and 1GB of RAM

The results

Here are the results of the tests for the two systems:

Conclusion

The bottom line is that the more I use Windows 7 the more I like it. Sure, we’re looking at a beta build here and not the final code, so things could change between now and release (although realistically final code ends up being faster than beta code). Also I still have some nagging issues relating to the interface, and some concerns that the UAC changes will break applications and other code, especially installers, but overall Windows 7 beta 1 is a robust, solid bit of code.

Sure, Windows 7 is not XP, and never will be (thankfully). And if you’re put off by things such as activation and DRM, then Windows isn’t the OS for you (good news is there are others to choose from). But if you’re looking for a solid OS then Windows 7 seems ready to deliver just that - a fast, reliable, relatively easy to use platform for your hardware and software.

Test & Images Courtesy: ZDNet

How to boot/install Windows 7/Vista from USB Flash/Hard Drive

The Windows 7 beta has been released for quite a while now. If you want to follow the crowd and test it in your system, but do not want to burn into a DVD, here is how you can create a bootable USB drive to install Windows 7 on your system.

Step 1: Download Windows 7 Beta

To Download Windows 7 Beta Click HERE

Save the file on your Desktop.

Step Two: Format a 4GB USB thumb drive




My computer-->Removable disk(F)-->Right click and choose Format using the NTFS file system

Step Three: Extract the Windows 7 ISO file



First Install WinRAR 3.80

Right click on ISO file and choose “Extract to ” as shown in the above picture.


Step Four: Copy BootSect.exe


Open the extracted folder and open the “boot” folder, inside which we’ll find a file called “bootsect.exe” that we’ll need to use.Copy the file (CTRL-C) and then open up “Computer” or “My Computer” and double-click your C: drive.We’re going to paste (CTRL-V) that “bootsect.exe” file right into C: so we can easily access it in a moment.


Step Five: Make the Drive Bootable

Programs > Accessories and then right-click on Command Prompt and choose “Run as administrator.”



Inside cmd, type and enter the followings:

1. cd\
2. bootsect /nt60 f:

We’re assuming the drive letter of your USB thumb drive is F:, so replace “f:” in the above phrase with whichever letter is assigned to your particular thumb drive. Hit enter and you should see:

The thumb drive auto-load when you boot up your computer.

Step Six:Copy the Windows 7 files to the thumb drive

Now, copy all the files from the Windows 7 folder to the USB drive.

change the first boot device to your USB drive in the BIOS.

Reboot the computer.You should be able to install Windows 7 from your USB flash drive now.

Burning Windows 7 to a DVD

1. Download the Windows 7 Beta 1 .ISO file.
2. Download ImgBurn
3. Install ImgBurn on your PC

   

4. Open ImgBurn and click Write image file to a disc

   

5. Click the Browse for file icon

   

6. Locate the Windows 7 image and click Open

   

7. Click Write

   

8. ImgBurn will now create your DVD
   

   

9. If you get the following error and are using a laptop, don’t worry: this is normal.

   

10. ImgBurn will notify you when the disc is successfully burned and verified

    

11. Verify your DVD works before booting from it to install Windows 7. Do this by going to Computer, double clicking on your optical drive’s icon, and double clicking on setup.exe. The Windows 7 install tool should load.

What if you haven’t got a DVD burner or just don’t want to hand over an entire machine to Windows 7 beta testing? Are you stuck? Nope! You have two options:

Option #1 - Dual boot

Lifehacker has a good post on how to do this.

Option #2 - Go virtual!

Why give over an entire PC to a single OS when most are powerful enough to run two OSes side-by-side. To do this download and install Microsoft’s free Virtual PC 2007. Once you’ve installed it run the application and it will guide you through creating a new virtual machine.

Most of the default settings will work for you but when asked for the operating system, pick Windows Vista, and when asked about virtual hard disk options, create a new virtual hard disk. Then, from the Virtual PC Console select the virtual machine you created and click on Start. As soon as the virtual machine fires up, click on CD from the menu and choose Capture ISO Image … and select the Windows 7 .ISO and click Open. Now click on Action and then Reset to kick off the Windows 7 install process.

Installation instructions

Installing the Windows 7 Beta

What you need to know before installing the Beta

To help make sure you have a great experience, please read this section before you install the software—even if you've previously been a beta tester.

• The Windows 7 Beta is a pre-release version of Windows. While we consider this a stable and high-quality beta, it's not the finished product. It could crash your computer or cause you to lose important files or information.

• The Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date. You won't be able to upgrade from the Beta to the final retail version of Windows 7.

• Important Note to Internet Explorer 8 Beta testers: If you're already testing Internet Explorer 8, please be aware that the version in the Windows 7 Beta is at a different stage of release. If you're beta-testing Windows 7, you need to use the version of Internet Explorer 8 that comes with it.

Please do...

• Do install the Beta only on a dedicated test computer.

• Do make frequent backups while testing the Beta. You can back up files to an external hard disk, a DVD or CD, or a network folder.

• Do prepare a recovery disc. A recovery disc restores your computer to its out-of-the-box state. Most computers come with one. If yours didn't, contact your PC maker.

• Do update your antivirus program, run it, and then disable it before installing the Beta. After you install the Beta, remember to re-enable the antivirus program.

• Do connect to the Internet after you install the Beta. Being connected helps make sure you get useful security and hardware updates. (If you don't have an Internet connection, you can still install the Beta.)

• Do download the Release Notes. Release Notes provide important information that you should know before installing and using Windows 7. You should familiarize yourself with all of the known issues in this document prior to installing the software. For example, the Release Notes describe a bug in which MP3 files may become corrupted and provide information on mitigating risk.

Please don't...

• Don't install the Beta if you're uncomfortable troubleshooting your own PC problems. Microsoft does not provide technical support for the Windows 7 Beta.

• Don't install the Beta on your primary home or work computer. Microsoft is not responsible for downtime stemming from the Windows 7 Beta.

Getting ready to install the Beta

What you'll need

• A blank DVD

• A PC with a DVD burner

• A test PC for the Windows 7 Beta that meets these minimum hardware recommendations (specific to the Beta and subject to change in the final version of Windows 7). Please do not use a PC you rely on for your work or daily use:

  • 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor

  • 1 GB of system memory

  • 16 GB of available disk space

  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)

  • DVD-R/W Drive

  • Internet access (to download the Beta and get updates)

Please note: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigate through the use of "touch," might require advanced or additional hardware.

Important recommendation

As you know, the point of beta testing is to find things we need to fix. As you help us uncover issues, we'll post fixes on Windows Update. So we recommend you keep your PC set to automatically check for updates through Windows Update. Please also stay current with the Release Notes, which are regularly updated with new notices and information.

To kick-off this process, before installing the Beta, please read the Release Notes. In particular, review the MP3 files and Windows Media Center notes and install the related updates before using the Beta.

So, to keep your PC running the Windows 7 Beta up-to-date, please:

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet and select the option to "Go online to get the latest updates for installation" when you install the Windows 7 Beta.

• Set Windows Update to install updates automatically.

• Check the Release Notes before you install the Beta, and regularly from then on. In particular, please review the MP3 files and Media Center notes and install the related updates before using the Beta.

How to install the Windows 7 Beta

Step 1: Download the Windows 7 Beta

Click On Download Button on Top Right To get the DIRECT DOWNLOAD link.

Step 2: Create an installation DVD

The Windows 7 Beta download is an ISO file, which you'll need to burn onto a blank disc before you can install it. To do that, you'll need to use software designed for burning ISO files.

In addition to commercial ISO burning software, there are free programs such as ISOBuster and Active ISO Burner. To find one, go to a site such as Download.com or Tucows and search for "ISO," "DVD," and "burn".

Follow the instructions that came with your program to create a Windows 7 Beta installation disc.

Step 3: Install the Windows 7 Beta

Determine whether to do a custom (clean) installation or an upgrade installation

Now you must make an important decision: whether to perform a custom (clean) installation or an upgrade installation.

Custom (clean) installation:

• Your computer has no operating system installed, or it's running a version of Windows prior to Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (including Windows XP).

• You do NOT want to preserve your data, programs, or system drivers.

• You want to delete your current operating system and replace it with Windows 7.

• You want to create a multiboot system by installing the Windows 7 Beta on a separate hard disk partition.
  

Once you've installed Windows 7, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to move data and settings from your other Windows computer to your new system.

Upgrade installation:

• Your computer is runningWindows Vista with Service Pack 1. (Not sure? Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties. Under Windows edition, look for "Service Pack 1" next to your Windows Vista edition name. If you don't have Service Pack 1 installed, or your computer is running an earlier version of Windows, you can't perform an upgrade installation. )

• You DO want to preserve your data, programs, or system drivers.

• You're upgrading from either a 32-bit version of Windows Vista to a 32-bit version of Windows 7, or a 64-bit version of Windows Vista to a 64-bit version of Windows 7.

• You're upgrading to the same Windows language. For example, from English to English.

Again, an upgrade installation allows you to keep intact the files, settings, and programs from your current version of Windows. But you can only perform an upgrade under these certain conditions, described above.

How to do a custom (clean) installation

1. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 Beta installation disc you created in step 2 into the computer's DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following:

   • If you want to replace your computer's existing operating system with the Windows 7 Beta, and you don't need to adjust your disk partitions, go to step 2.

   • If your computer doesn't have an operating system installed, or you want to install the Beta on another disk partition, restart your computer with the installation disc inserted in your CD or DVD drive. If you're asked to press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page appears, go to step 2.

     
     

     If the Install Windows page doesn't appear and you're not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer uses its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. After you select your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.

2. On the Install Windows page, follow the instructions, and then click Install now.

3. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and protect your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection to get updates.

4. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms. (You must accept to continue the installation.)

5. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

6. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:

   • If you don't want to specify a specific partition to install Windows on, or create partitions on your hard disk, click Next to begin the installation.

   • If you already have another existing partition with enough free space and want to install the Windows 7 Beta on that partition to create a multiboot configuration, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. (Be sure to install the Beta on a different partition from where your current version of Windows is installed.)

   • If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. (If the Drive options (advanced) option is disabled, you need to start your computer using the installation disc.)

7. Follow the instructions.

How to do an upgrade installation

1. Insert the Windows 7 Beta installation disc you created in step 2 into your computer's DVD or CD drive. Important: Make sure to insert your installation disc with your current version of Windows running.

2. On the Install Windows page, click Install now.

3. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and protect your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection to get installation updates.

4. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms. (You must accept to continue the installation.)

5. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade to begin the upgrade. You might see a compatibility report.

6. Follow the instructions.

Removing the Beta

The Windows 7 Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date. We recommend doing a custom (clean) installation.

To learn more, see Windows 7 Beta: Frequently Asked Questions.

Hardware requirements

Microsoft has published some recommended specifications for a system running the Windows 7 beta.

Windows 7 Beta recommended specifications

	Beta Recommended Specs
Processor Speed	1 GHz (Either 32-bit or 64-bit)
Memory (RAM)	1 GB
Graphics card	DirectX 9.0 capable
Graphics memory	128 MB (For Windows Aero)
HDDfree space	16 GB
Other drives	DVD-ROM
Audio	Audio Output

Windows 7

Windows 7 (formerly codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna) is the next release of Microsoft Windows, an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops,laptops,Tablet PCs,netbooks and media center PCs.

Microsoft stated in 2007 they were planning Windows 7 development for a three-year time frame starting after the release of its predecessor,Windows Vista. Microsoft has stated that the final release date would be determined by product quality.

Unlike its predecessor, Windows 7 is intended to be an incremental upgrade from Vista, with the goal of being fully compatible with device drivers, applications, and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible. Presentations given by the company in 2008 have focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a newteskbar , a home networking system called Home Group, and performance improvements. Some applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, most notably Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are no longer included with the operating system; they are instead offered separately (free of charge) as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite.