Microsoft bets big: Windows 7 RC for a year | The Coffeehouse

Cybermagellan
Live for nothing, or die for everything

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/may/01/windows7-rc-free

FTA:

Microsoft has announced that the Release Candidate version of Windows 7 will be available to the public as a free download on May 5. And since the RC version seems to be pretty much finished (I have not tried it), then it's essentially giving it away for more than a year: as mentioned earlier, it won't expire until 1 June next year.

Hmmm, learn from Vista they have (or so it seems)

Dodo
I'm your creativity creator™ :)

It also locks your computer (or starts the screensaver) while watching video. I'd buy it just to get rid of that. Smiley

figuerres
???

well the terms of all past pre-relase packages from MSFT say that you must update to the RTM version when that becomes availible. I would not expect this to change.

they give the pre-relase a large window "just in case" there is a delay.

but in a few months when the RTM goes live you will have a legal requirement to stop using the rc bits.

I am sure some folks will hack it etc... but that's another story.

magicalclick

I think Win7's developement is a lot smoother than Vista. We may see RTM earlier. I can't wait. I love Win7 Beta.

elmer
I'm on my very last life.

In reply to magicalclick

#May 1st @ 1:59 PM

We may see RTM earlier

Acer's UK MD has already boldly announced the RTM date: 23rd October

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/23846/acer-confirms-windows-7-23-october.phtml

I don't know where/how he got that info on the RTM at this point, but he seems confident.