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Microsoft Rolls Out Windows 7 Release Candidate
Techtree News Staff, May 05, 2009 1423 hrs ISTDownloadable till July, expires in June 2010
Microsoft has unveiled the Windows 7's first release candidate (RC) after Windows 7 Beta was made available publicly in January. As anticipated earlier, Microsoft has kept its word. However, it did not specify the timing and notes that the download links would be available till July this year. Microsoft has put up the Windows 7 RC ISO files in 32-bit and 64-bit versions in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish languages.
In February, Microsoft's senior program manager, Chaitanya Sareen, mentioned details about the set of 36 changes that would be incorporated in the Windows 7 RC. After that, another list of changes in Windows 7 RC was disclosed by Microsoft.
We advise you to get a Windows Live account ID and then head directly to the Microsoft's Download Center page. Also, if you have a TechNet account that you got for Windows 7 Beta, head to the TechNet Evaluation Center to download respective 32-bit or 64-bit versions from there.
The system requirements for comfortable Windows 7 RC installation are:
- Minimum 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor or higher
- Minimum 1 GB RAM or more
- 16 GB of available disk space
- DirectX 9 graphics support with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)
- DVD-R/W Drive
Before installing Windows 7 RC, we urge you to take backups of your existing data. Click here for the installation instructions.
Installing a new OS means inviting video card and other hardware compatibility issues, lack of driver support and more. So, in order to avoid that, one can install the new Windows 7 RC in a virtualized environment using Virtual PC or VirtualBox.
Recently, we noted that Windows 7 RC will have XP Mode that will allow installing and running old productivity applications in the virtualized environment in Windows 7 RC.
It should be noted that the RC will expire on June 1, 2010 and from March 1, 2010, the PC will begin shutting down every two hours.
In February, Microsoft's senior program manager, Chaitanya Sareen, mentioned details about the set of 36 changes that would be incorporated in the Windows 7 RC. After that, another list of changes in Windows 7 RC was disclosed by Microsoft.
We advise you to get a Windows Live account ID and then head directly to the Microsoft's Download Center page. Also, if you have a TechNet account that you got for Windows 7 Beta, head to the TechNet Evaluation Center to download respective 32-bit or 64-bit versions from there.
The system requirements for comfortable Windows 7 RC installation are:
- Minimum 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor or higher
- Minimum 1 GB RAM or more
- 16 GB of available disk space
- DirectX 9 graphics support with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)
- DVD-R/W Drive
Before installing Windows 7 RC, we urge you to take backups of your existing data. Click here for the installation instructions.
Installing a new OS means inviting video card and other hardware compatibility issues, lack of driver support and more. So, in order to avoid that, one can install the new Windows 7 RC in a virtualized environment using Virtual PC or VirtualBox.
Recently, we noted that Windows 7 RC will have XP Mode that will allow installing and running old productivity applications in the virtualized environment in Windows 7 RC.
It should be noted that the RC will expire on June 1, 2010 and from March 1, 2010, the PC will begin shutting down every two hours.
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H.Vos
,Zwolle, on May 05, 2009 02:41 PM
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