Microsoft Corp will let users use Windows 7 Release Candidate for free. Next week you could download Windows 7 and use it till 2010. This is significantly longer than the timeframe it had set for Windows Vista’s candidate releases that remained fully functional for some eight months only.
The general public can download Windows 7 starting May 5, 2009 that will not expire until June 1, 2010. MSDN and TechNet subscribers however were slated for the download on April 30. Apparently, Microsoft’s download sites for both services were overloaded.
Free Windows 7 for over a year? But why?
We don’t know yet. Microsoft hasn’t explained why. Well may be it is a marketing strategy or a genuine attempt to get users feedback.
I am quite exited about the release. Let’s just wait and watch!
(Source: Windows blog)
4 Comments
I would tell you the reason.
“All users of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (including Windows Vista users who have upgraded to the Release Candidate) must do a clean installation of Windows 7 RTM. Please keep this is mind as you consider downloading the Release Candidate as opposed to waiting for the general availability release.”
M$ is clever & cunning!
@Gaurish Sharma,
Clever & cunning eh? I hear what you’re saying. 🙂
I downloaded Windows 7 Beta in January from Microsoft’s Website & is using it since then. My free license is valid till somewhere is July.
@ Jatin Sapra,
Not bad. Maybe you could go for the 1 year free subscription this time.