Windows 7 RC released

[Soong]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

I was thinking about starting a torrent to help with downloads but they've clearly got their tubes in order.

P.S. Once you're logged in this page gives you a new key every time you refresh it.

[oasked]

Sweet. Thanks for the heads up. Downloading ASAP.

[Fat Jez]

the 64 bit version cycles through the following keys on the website:

C43GM-DWWV8-V6MGY-G834Y-Y8QH3
BCGX7-P3XWP-PPPCV-Q2H7C-FCGFR
MT39G-9HYXX-J3V3Q-RPXJB-RQ6D7
KGMPT-GQ6XF-DM3VM-HW6PR-DX9G8
P72QK-2Y3B8-YDHDV-29DQB-QKWWM
MVYTY-QP8R7-6G6WG-87MGT-CRH2P
GPRG6-H3WBB-WJK6G-XX2C7-QGWQ9
9JBBV-7Q7P7-CTDB7-KYBKG-X8HHC
MM7DF-G8XWM-J2VRG-4M3C4-GR27X
KBHBX-GP9P3-KH4H4-HKJP4-9VYKQ
6F4BB-YCB3T-WK763-3P6YJ-BVH24
6JQ32-Y9CGY-3Y986-HDQKT-BPFPG
RGQ3V-MCMTC-6HP8R-98CDK-VP3FM
MVYTY-QP8R7-6G6WG-87MGT-CRH2P
Q3VMJ-TMJ3M-99RF9-CVPJ3-Q7VF3

*edit* the keys work for the 32-bit version too, which I guess makes sense (the non-OEM keys were the same with Vista)

[Gator]

Thanks! DLing now

[genci88]

I am downloading the 32 bit version.

[Tizen]

Gonna give it a try. Finally

[genci88]

Have the previous betas been safe (reliability wise)? Are there any problems with drivers?

I want to replace the Vista in my main rig with this thing.

[-=John=-]

Have the previous betas been safe (reliability wise)? Are there any problems with drivers?

I want to replace the Vista in my main rig with this thing.

Driver support is amazing for me in Win7. I'm on build 7000 and I haven't had to install any drivers from CDs or download any from websites. It's probably my favourite thing about the OS so far except maybe the new taskbar.

EDIT:

It's been 100% reliable as well. It only crashed once and that was Cryostatis fault

[Zero]

OS forum?

Dling now.

[SirBaron]

Been on the RC for a few days now.

64bit version, rock solid stable, really fast in terms of the OS.

I like it!

Pretty much everything running perfect atm.

[Shadowless]

downloading now. At least i'll have something to do this weekend .

[genci88]

Driver support is amazing for me in Win7. I'm on build 7000 and I haven't had to install any drivers from CDs or download any from websites. It's probably my favourite thing about the OS so far except maybe the new taskbar.

EDIT:

It's been 100% reliable as well. It only crashed once and that was Cryostatis fault

Thanks. Will install after my last final on Friday.

[DeathKnight]

I've been running build 7077 on my Asus 1000HE netbook for a few weeks. Runs great, no issues.

[A2597]

Downloaded and going to install later.

[moshpit]

Been running for almost a week now. Seems pretty solid. Nothing really too different from previous builds.

[Pepsin]

Been running the RC for a while. It's as good as final. I wiped my Vista partition and will keep using the RC unless I encounter some program or driver that doesn't work. Then I'll either dual boot or just go back to Vista (which also works fine).

The most obvious difference is the taskbar - it takes some getting used to. When running only a few applications it's worse than the old one (more clicks to do anything, no labels). But unlike the classic taskbar, which breaks down if you run more than a handful of apps at the same time, this one remains usable even when filled with icons.

It encourages multi tasking - with Vista, I often find myself closing an app rather than minimizing it, not because it uses too much RAM or CPU, but because the taskbar is getting crowded. With the new taskbar, minimized apps barely use any space (and none if they were pinned anyway).

Seems to use slightly less RAM than Vista, but it certainly isn't XP in that regard.

[HiThere]

Can this be installed as an update to less current builds, or does it demand a nuke and pave?

N/M, I found it on the download page.

[Fat Jez]

Can this be installed as an update to less current builds, or does it demand a nuke and pave?

N/M, I found it on the download page.

Officially, no. However, a modification of a suitable file (basically telling it the minimum version that needs to be installed for an update) will allow it. I forget which file, once it finishes downloading I'll have a look.

*edit* found a link

[Kombatant]

All I am changing is the Taskbar buttons to "combine when taskbar is full', i usually have more than one windows open of explorer, live messenger etc, so it's tiresome to first hover over the icon, then select the window you want to bring to foreground. Best of both worlds with that setting

[moshpit]

Officially, no. However, a modification of a suitable file (basically telling it the minimum version that needs to be installed for an update) will allow it. I forget which file, once it finishes downloading I'll have a look.

*edit* found a link

Something needs to be changed to do this successfully? I wish somebody told me that before I went and successfully upgraded without doing that, now I'm sweating that something may not be right even though it upgraded from 7077 to 7100 without a problem and seems to run fine.

[Fat Jez]

If it's running fine, then don't sweat it, although I'm surprised it let you do the update over the top!

[genci88]

I was looking through the new features of Windows 7, and it's about time they updated the Calculator.

I always install a copy of Microsoft Calculator Plus (especially for its conversion features), but it seems like I won't have to anymore.

In Windows 7, separate Programmer, Statistics, Unit Conversion, Date Calculation, Templates modes were added. Tooltips were removed.

In every mode (except Statistics) one can see the history of calculations.

The applet was redesigned to accommodate multitouch.

In Scientific mode, the base conversion functions were moved to Programmer mode, and Statistics functions were moved to Statistics mode.

On the right of the main Calculator panel one can add the panel with Date Calculations, Unit Conversion, and Templates.

In Templates mode, one calculate a result on a chosen field based on the values on other fields. Pre-defined templates include gas mileages, estimate leases, mortgages, an more. In pre-beta versions of Windows 7, Calculator also provided a Wages template.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculator_(Windows)

[oasked]

Mmmmm this is nice. Loving the new RC, last time I tried Windows 7 was the Beta 1 (build 7000).

I also love how Mr Scruff has one of his tracks included as one of the default music files ...

[Jaillum Malord]

The colourspace bug that had been the bain of my video viewing existance on VMR9 and recently EVR rendering for the last 11 years doesn't exist any more. Bloody hell they took their time. I don't need a hack to get the correct colour space anymore

I never want to go back to Vista now

[Fat Jez]

Looks like the download servers have ground to a halt here in the UK

[Hidavi]

I was on 7000 for like 2 months, spent another month and a half on 7048, and now I'm probably going to stay on 7100 till August.

Never going back to XP or Vista. Never.

I've never even had a crash in W7 in the 3 and a half months I've had it

Anyway, no huge changes from 7048 than I can tell. The startup desktop prompt bug is gone. Some new sounds and themes is all I see. But I'm sure there's a bunch-o-stuff that I might never appreciate, but will benefit from.

[Dyre Straits]

Something needs to be changed to do this successfully? I wish somebody told me that before I went and successfully upgraded without doing that, now I'm sweating that something may not be right even though it upgraded from 7077 to 7100 without a problem and seems to run fine.

IIRC, the minimum version needed was 7077 in order to do the upgrade instead of a full fresh install. So, since you were using 7077, that's likely why you were successful without changing the cversion.ini file. [I think that's the name of the file.]

[Pepsin]

Looks like the download servers have ground to a halt here in the UK

*cough* t*rr*nts *cough* Er, I mean, that's too bad

[Fat Jez]

*cough* t*rr*nts *cough* Er, I mean, that's too bad

LOL, I already *ahem* acquired the x64 7100 build last week, so I'm not overly bothered. Just after the x86 version to stick on my Netbook.

[xNaquada]

Logitech has no fkin drivers.


My G15 is useless in 7. Vista ddriver install corrupts ****.


Which immediately makes this a nogo.

[genci88]

Logitech has no fkin drivers.


My G15 is useless in 7. Vista ddriver install corrupts ****.


Which immediately makes this a nogo.

Does Setpoint work on Win7?

[EfrainMan]

Ah~ my Xonar audio center would crash every time I would try to set 5.1 on the 7 beta, leaving me with only two speakers. But that seems to be fixed now meaning I have full 5.1 and little reason remaining to stay with Vista...

[xNaquada]

Does Setpoint work on Win7?

No.

And logitech has no plans to release beta software.
Which sucks because i need my G15 drivers
And setpoint for my mouse.

[Pepsin]

My system sometimes hangs at the shutdown screen when restarting or shutting down the computer Neither XP, Vista or Win7 Beta did that...

[genci88]

No.

And logitech has no plans to release beta software.
Which sucks because i need my G15 drivers
And setpoint for my mouse.

Crap.

I really need my Setpoint and Logitech Gaming Software (Profiler)...

[moshpit]

Another reason to go Razer over Logitech. Logitech drug their feet with x64 compatible drivers through all of XP x64's life and part of Vista x64's life. I'll never go back to them again because of how bad their support for new OS's is. Razer's mouse software works great in Windows 7.

[moshpit]

the 64 bit version cycles through the following 10 keys on the website:

C43GM-DWWV8-V6MGY-G834Y-Y8QH3
BCGX7-P3XWP-PPPCV-Q2H7C-FCGFR
MT39G-9HYXX-J3V3Q-RPXJB-RQ6D7
KGMPT-GQ6XF-DM3VM-HW6PR-DX9G8
P72QK-2Y3B8-YDHDV-29DQB-QKWWM
MVYTY-QP8R7-6G6WG-87MGT-CRH2P
GPRG6-H3WBB-WJK6G-XX2C7-QGWQ9
9JBBV-7Q7P7-CTDB7-KYBKG-X8HHC
MM7DF-G8XWM-J2VRG-4M3C4-GR27X
KBHBX-GP9P3-KH4H4-HKJP4-9VYKQ

I got a different key for x64. Since it's not one of the 10 listed, I'd assume there's actually more then 10 and those are just the 10 most common, not the only 10. My number is (partially hidden to keep the number safe in case it's unique) "MVBxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxGBP" instead.

[BiO]

Crap.

I really need my Setpoint and Logitech Gaming Software (Profiler)...

Use Windows Vista compatibility mode on the executable. I installed my G25 racing wheel drivers like that.

[Danny Nissan]

I am downloading the RC atm. I have never tried any beta or previous versions of 7 before, only seen some screenshots but thats it.

But i thought since Vista SP2 is on the way, i might aswell try this RC and if everything with it fails i can reformat again and install vista sp2 freshly and use that until win7 final is released.

[xNaquada]

Another reason to go Razer over Logitech. Logitech drug their feet with x64 compatible drivers through all of XP x64's life and part of Vista x64's life. I'll never go back to them again because of how bad their support for new OS's is. Razer's mouse software works great in Windows 7.

I want to get a Razer Mamba. But im not paying 160$+tax+s/h for a mouse.

Thats the only mouse I want from razer. im not going back to a corded mouse. This isnt 2003.