Flash! The Windows 7 release candidate has leaked. You can find it where you usually find such things.
As it stands, this release candidate is rumored to be officially released on May 5, the same day as the second leg of the Manchester United – Arsenal Champions League semi-final.
Here’s a screenshot, care of Windows 7 News. Looks about the same to me.
And if you do grab the leak—doesn’t bother me if you do!—would you be so kind as to let us know how it turns out?
via Download Squad (Are they really a squad, or is that just their silly name? One wonders.)
wow!!!
Hi Nicholas. As informed by a reliable source and expected in the RC, only bugs are fixed since Build 7077 (RC Escrow)
If anything though, this build is very close to the finish product and is a huge step in performance improvement from build 7000. But I figure you’re on 7077 anyway and wouldn’t find this too interesting.
As an official Windows 7 nerd though, I’ve jumped the train and installed it – you should too :P
Would my beta keys work with this or is it cracked?
Your keys should work, yeah. Says the nfo:
“This is an untouched copy of the final Windows 7 Ultimate x86 RC build.
Your beta key should work fine with it.
As always, please buy the software when it is RTMed. A lot of work is involved to make this sweet OS.”
I have every intention of paying for this, its a vast improvement over XP in my opinion, and obviously obliterates Vista. Even the beta has been rock solid on my laptop, and the performance is excellent. I’m hoping there will be a cheaper upgrade option as my laptop shipped with the plague that is Vista :P
I’m still on build 7000, can I upgrade to RC1 or do I need to do a fresh install? Also want to know whether my beta key will work …
Why can’t people just wait 15 days for the official release from the source?
Technically pirating free beta software… Kind of sad if you think about it.
Its not about the pirating of the Beta, its more the “I have it first” mentality. Everyone wants to the cool kid on the block with the shinny new toy that no one else has.
You’re both wrong. Firstly, it’s hardly pirating if its free now is it? Secondly, some of us are enthusiastic about the new OS because it is such an improvement over its predecessors. It has nothing to do with about being the “cool kid”, and if it does, that is agreeably pretty sad. With each new release come new improvements, stability and features, and that’s why most of us want it ASAP.
Actually it is pirating. The copy being circulated with out a doubt comes with some type of legal NDA. Being as it is also in a restricted release and not intended for the masses means that yes it most certainly is pirated. IF Microsoft meant for everyone to have it then they would have put it up on their own servers. As you are downloading from a non-official source, it is pirating. May the put this version up for everyone certainly, it is their right as it is there intellectual property but until they do, you are stealing it, free or not.
By your definition, sure it is pirating. People do not generally agree to that definition, of course. That aside, the simple fact remains that you can’t actually steal something that is both:
1) Entirely digital (so by taking it you’re not preventing anyone else from having it)
2) Free to anyone who wants it (so you’re allowed to have it)
If either of those was not true, then sure it could be a form of stealing.
I’m not saying that this is the case, but often manufacturers purposely release betas ahead of time just to test out people’s reactions. This probably isn’t the case on this one, but often is.
Fresh Links no Password, download, burn and ur good to go, for the activation key use any key from vista beta program
http://rapidshare.com/users/F8WV79
a copy of any windows release is not classified as pirated regardless of how many people have the copy, as long as the product key is not used on more than 1 system. if you use the product key in more than 1 computer (different for corporate users) then its pirated especially product activation. I’m a certified engineer so don’t say im wrong. i tell you all that grabbing windows 7 as soon as its released will be the biggest mistake you make with your pc as bugs etc will emmerge and cannot be fixed until the product is more widely available in which case microsoft can then create updates and hot fixes. a few previous beta releases will not mean the system is totally perfect. i recommend at least 3 months before installing windows 7.