Windows 7 now 'available to all'

Windows 7 now 'available to all'

Overwhelming interest forced Microsoft to rethink its release plans
The latest Windows release will be available to everyone after a surge in demand crashed the Microsoft website on 9 January, the original release date.

In response, the company has lifted a planned limit on the number of copies of the Windows 7 Beta available for download.

Microsoft delayed the launch by one day to add "more infrastructure and servers" to cope with demand.

The unlimited download will last for two weeks, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft had initially planned to restrict downloads of the software to 2.5m copies, but now says that unlimited copies will be available until 24 January.

After that, the limit will be reinstated, though it looks likely to be surpassed by then.

Laurence Painell, product manager at Microsoft, said that it had removed the download limit so that Windows 7 would be available to "a much wider audience".

Shocking demand

"We would expect a beta to only be of interest to tech-enthused and those that have a vested business interest, to look at an operating system for testing purposes," Mr Painell explained.

"We didn't quite anticipate the demand that we saw."

Windows devotees flooded the Windows 7 blog with comments while waiting with bated breath for the delayed download.

A commenter on the blog called Adinelus posted from Romania on 9 January: "Thank God it's Saturday tomorrow, otherwise I would have missed this.

"Hope you guys have some spare servers…because millions wait for you!"

Mr Painell stressed that consumers should be aware that they are getting a preliminary version of Windows 7 which is meant for testing.

As a result, the software is likely to have problems that haven't been ironed out, and Microsoft does not provide technical support for it.

"It's not ideal for every consumer to install and use it on a daily basis," he explained.

Microsoft encouraged people with MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) or TechNet accounts to download the software through their subscriptions, to avoid the congestion on its public sites.

Windows 7 Link

The many versions of Windows Vista was the brunt of much criticism from confused users, but Microsoft has simplified things in Windows 7.

Windows 7 has trimmed down to only 3 different versions for everyone in developed countries: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise. Windows 7 Home Basic and Starter editions are actually available in emerging markets, but they "will not legally be available for sale in the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and other developed countries."

More good news: Upgrading from one version to another is a "takes 5-10 minutes" and doesn't require a reinstall like Vista did.

Windows 7 full version is to be released on 5th May..

Hmmm....... call me cynical (your cynical!) but will it be any better in real terms and at what cost?

Hi Cynical please to meet you, my name's Karma....

What is it when it's out and about?????

The newest version of the Windows Operating System (OS) to replace Vista, that replaced XP, and so on.

ah but, ah but, ah but....I've only had Vista since Christmas - does that measn it's going to be dedundant?????

Sorry Karma. It means that on 5th May you will have to buy a new computer.

Oh dear.........I'll say fare thee well now then :(

Personally, I will be more than happy to continue using XP.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it / replace it etc.........................





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Oh dear looks like the new windows 7 is no better than Vista..



Seems like Microsoft the new 7 will just be as slow to load as Vista

Not Good News...

my vista loads up fairrly quickly

try a mac

they boot up in about 20 sec max.

" once you've tried mac, theres no going back "

At the moment, I am more than happy to stay with my XP! It was sorted out when they updated it with Service Pack 3 IMO........................







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Microsoft confirmed on today that it is planning for Windows 7 to hit retail shelves and start showing up on new PCs on Oct. 22. — In order to reach that milestone, Microsoft plans to wrap up development of the operating system by the middle of next month …

And the first update will be what... 1 or 2 days later?????







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First service pack is an update,available if you manage to install 7?It then says it does'n't recognise your grapics card,your modem or your knickers!