Star-Lord Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Microsoft is offering a free 90-day trial version of Windows 7 Enterprise, the Windows Vista successor due Oct. 22. But there's a catch. Once the 90-day trial ends, users who want to continue using the OS will have to purchase a copy and perform a clean install, including drivers and applications. And, the trial is really intended for IT Pros who, for some reason, don't already have access to the new OS. Microsoft says testers can continue to use the trial after program ends, but warned that the OS will shutdown once-an-hour after the expiration date. How's that for nagware? Also, Win7 Enterprise will not be sold at retail, so the release version will be fairly easy for corporate customers to acquire, but more difficult for smaller businesses and individuals. Of course, they also won't need many of the enterprise features. The number of trial downloads--available here--will be limited, Microsoft said. Potential trial users, should also be aware that members of the following MS programs already have access to the new OS: Partner Program, MSDN Subscribers (developers). TechNet Plus subcribers, and Volume License/Software Assurance customers. If you work for a large company, ask around before downloading. "We do not recommend that you install this if you are a not an IT Professional or not professionally managing corporate networks," Microsoft warned. The hardware requirements and other limitations are described on the download page. My advice: Don't download the trial to any machine you are planning to use in production and don't be upset when you end up having to wipe the hard drive at the end of the trial. If you can live with those limitations, the trial may provide a way for almost anyone to get some Win7 experience ahead of the Oct. 22 release. Just don’t tell Microsoft that we sent you, OK? (If you haven't seen it, here our Win7 upgrade FAQ ). Microsoft Download Microsoft on Tuesday announced the availability of a Windows 7 enterprise trial for IT professionals without access to the release to manufacturing (RTM) version of the OS. The trial, available for download online now, will last 90 days and provides IT professionals with the opportunity "to test their applications, hardware and deployment strategies with final Windows 7 bits," Microsoft's Stephen Rose wrote in a blog post. It is intended for workers responsible for desktop administration, Microsoft said. It is aimed at those who are currently working with the release candidate (RC) version of Windows 7 because they do not have access to the RTM via a software assurance license agreement or via MSDN or TechNet. The enterprise trial is the RTM version of Windows 7, and is feature-complete. The offer is limited and will be available while supplies last, Rose said. It is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Users must activate the trial within 10 days of downloading or the product will shut down every hour. After the 90-day trial ends, the computer where the Windows 7 Enterprise trial is installed will shut down every hour. IT professionals will then have to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications, to continue using the OS. SOURCE Just encase anyone here was interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girish Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Meh, that's too much trouble. My connection sucks as it is; that's why I didn't bother with the RC version either. I'll just get the full, proper version when it comes out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slamman Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 You already know about this Dell Precision 9150 I have, well, it lacks a hard drive, which I am trying to come upon and then an OS, of which I have the various Dell Restores, but not Vista, not Win7, so I would like to see how it works, from a first time perspective. I hope my ATI X300 graphics card is up to snuff...it's all I have for PCIe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star-Lord Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 Wow, This thread amazingly blows! A whopping two replies Dayem, I completely suck at making interesting threads @girishb, True, I downloaded just for the hell of it, just to see what new features i can find that are not in the beta releases. I haven't installed it yet! Too lazy right now, maybe after the weekend besides it's FRIDAY! and you all know what that means? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargr Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 So, any new features? I doubt I'll download though. But the info would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star-Lord Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 So, any new features? I doubt I'll download though. But the info would be nice. Honestly, I can sincerely tell you that is much, much faster they have really done well this time. Windows 7 Loading times are amazing. I also did noticed they have shutdown many processes that were on by default on the last beta release. Besides that I can't really notice a difference in the GUI other than the navigation system has change a little. Seems like they concentrate more on speed and performance this time around. I'll keep you inform as I'm still testing I'm trying to compare between previous beta, to see if they pulled anything out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGuyFromThere Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 If I was to get actual windows 7 which I'm considering doing and installing it over my vista on my laptop (Toshiba A200-1BW); Would I still keep all my files as they are? Is it possible to erase vista and use W7 instead? Thanks. inactive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pico Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 If I was to get actual windows 7 which I'm considering doing and installing it over my vista on my laptop (Toshiba A200-1BW); Would I still keep all my files as they are? Is it possible to erase vista and use W7 instead? Thanks. You can do an "in place upgrade." What this does is keep all personal files and usually every program you have installed. Incompatible ones may not work at well, or you might need to change settings to get it to work. Some will be removed if they're completely incompatible. I did that on my Vista install and it took a while, but it worked just fine. The thing is, I tried to do an in place upgrade from one W7 build to a new W7 build and I had a driver error which completely f*cked my computer and I had to reinstall the OS. It made the drive unreadable, even in other computers for some damn reason. It's good now though, after I reformatted the drive. It was my fault on the f*ck up though, when W7 installation suggested I check some drivers compatibility I didn't, and it dealt with the HDD. Anyone know when the Windows 7 7260 (probably the same as the 7200 build) is supposed to expire? I need to keep an eye on that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star-Lord Posted September 12, 2009 Author Share Posted September 12, 2009 (edited) Pico, All RC and RTM Versions will expire at the same time regardless of built. As of 03/01/2010 you will get periodically shutdowns, I believe every hour until 06/01/2010 which is when the OS will completely shutdown for good! Or as I like to say, commit suicide Anyways! You still have plenty of time Edit: Misspelling. Edited September 12, 2009 by pcguytech_2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGuyFromThere Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 If I was to get actual windows 7 which I'm considering doing and installing it over my vista on my laptop (Toshiba A200-1BW); Would I still keep all my files as they are? Is it possible to erase vista and use W7 instead? Thanks. You can do an "in place upgrade." What this does is keep all personal files and usually every program you have installed. Incompatible ones may not work at well, or you might need to change settings to get it to work. Some will be removed if they're completely incompatible. I did that on my Vista install and it took a while, but it worked just fine. The thing is, I tried to do an in place upgrade from one W7 build to a new W7 build and I had a driver error which completely f*cked my computer and I had to reinstall the OS. It made the drive unreadable, even in other computers for some damn reason. It's good now though, after I reformatted the drive. It was my fault on the f*ck up though, when W7 installation suggested I check some drivers compatibility I didn't, and it dealt with the HDD. Anyone know when the Windows 7 7260 (probably the same as the 7200 build) is supposed to expire? I need to keep an eye on that... So presumably I could overwrite my laptops vista ultimate to W7 so it doesn't take a whole f*cking gig of ram to run the OS? Leaving free processing space for games or w/e.. inactive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pico Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Yep. And from what I know W7 is made to work with what RAM is available much better than Vista. Where as Vista sees 1GB available and uses 75% W7 will see you only have 1GB and use a little as possible. If that makes sense... basically it adjusts RAM usage to your specifications much better. I think mine idles at .9-1.2GB out of 2GB. Vista would be at 1.2GB almost constantly even during idle. With an program or 3 open it'd be at a good 1.4-1.5GB usage. @pcguytech, thanks for the info! Plenty of time before I need to worry. Hopefully by then I'll just purchase a key and pop it in or do another inplace upgrade over the existing one and do it that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGuyFromThere Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Yep. And from what I know W7 is made to work with what RAM is available much better than Vista. Where as Vista sees 1GB available and uses 75% W7 will see you only have 1GB and use a little as possible. If that makes sense... basically it adjusts RAM usage to your specifications much better. I think mine idles at .9-1.2GB out of 2GB. Vista would be at 1.2GB almost constantly even during idle. With an program or 3 open it'd be at a good 1.4-1.5GB usage. @pcguytech, thanks for the info! Plenty of time before I need to worry. Hopefully by then I'll just purchase a key and pop it in or do another inplace upgrade over the existing one and do it that way. I also have 2 gigs of ram and a dual core processor. Would it really be worth my while upgrading to W7... are the differences in speed really worth it? inactive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star-Lord Posted September 13, 2009 Author Share Posted September 13, 2009 @pcguytech, thanks for the info! Plenty of time before I need to worry. Hopefully by then I'll just purchase a key and pop it in or do another inplace upgrade over the existing one and do it that way. No! Problem. If you buy any Retail Version of Windows Vista now, when the Retail Version of Windows 7 becomes available. MS, will match it with the version you purchase and you will get it for only $9.99 (Shipping cost only) Essential details: When you buy Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate either as a packaged product or on a qualifying PC you can get a comparable upgrade version of Windows 7 after it’s generally available on October 22, 2009. Qualifying PCs, offer details, and product delivery methods will vary by manufacturer, so check their sites for specifics. If you buy a packaged copy of Windows Vista you can order your upgrade from Microsoft. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program runs from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010. However, individual PC manufacturers may choose to offer the option for a shorter period. Main Page Validation Page-After Purchase Not a bad deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slamman Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Ok, I took notice of the versions offered, but I passed on an extended download since SP3, what a fun ordeal of 300MBs to download. Anyway, with the seemingly terrible state of my Vista laptop, and a need to get it operational, I was asking around in the pawn shop they said to just scrap Vista because it's so problematic and the Windows 7 stomps all over it, a ground up rebuild, however, is it? The guy was smitten with Win7, and I broke the news here long ago. He says he's using a Evaluator copy he never had to pay for, which was the main concern for me, is the Evaluation copy the one offered still? I assumed initially it was evaluation for IT professionals and that they get versions of Windows whenever it's released for public input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star-Lord Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 You can still Download Win7 from MS site just look for the latest Beta built on Windows 7 main page. If you cannot find any because they've removed it? Then download the IT version and use it until it expires. If you have any problems PM me. I will send you direct link to MS, but only if you indeed have issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeliosNYC Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 What's the story here? What's the point of a new OS so soon after Vista? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slamman Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Dude, you live under a rock, dontcha?!? hahaha Vista is claimed the worst rollout OS since Windows ME. But fact is, the OEM of WinME works "tits", never had BSOD the same as I have had it on XP, and I love XP, I would rather have Media Center, but with Vista it makes the new notebook screens look their best, I know it's a weak one overall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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