Microsoft Windows 7 Beta – Available for Download
In a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the beta availability of the Windows 7 operating system as well as the availability of the latest version of Windows Live, a suite of personal communications services and applications.
The world’s largest software maker also disclosed deals to make its Live Search programs the default search engines on more personal computers and mobile phones. And it announced a new version of its Ford Sync in-car technology that folds in the voice-operated directory service TellMe, which Microsoft bought in 2007. Ballmer also announced that the nearly final ‘Beta’ version will be available for download for PC users who want to tinker with it.
The new operating system – which could be available for purchase on PCs within a year – uses much of the same underlying technology as its predecessor, the much-maligned Vista. But Windows 7 aims to resolve many problems PC users had with Vista.
It is available for download starting today, officially. You do not have go any Torrent sites for downloading it illegally. Refer to the Download link at the bottom of the post.
What can you expect from Windows 7?
- Microsoft pledges to make it easier to install peripheral devices and to have the software pump out fewer annoying warnings and notifications.
- Improved battery performance. Windows 7 will boot faster and drain laptop batteries more slowly.
- Improved Task bar. One can set the order in which the Icons appear.
- New multi touch technology in Windows 7 will enable people with touch-screen monitors to use multiple fingers to interact with their PC screens in a more intuitive way.
- The “Play-to” feature in Windows 7 allows easier streaming of music, video and photos to devices in a home network.
- Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta – which is faster, easier and safer than it’s predecessor IE 7. Like FireFox, it also comes with add-ons.
- The company added Flash support – required for watching YouTube videos – to its cell phone version of Internet Explorer.
- It created a link between Facebook and its own Windows Live social network, so when people update their status message or upload photos on Facebook, that information appears on the Microsoft site, too.
Partnerships
Microsoft is trying very hard to boost the Live Search engine, which ranks well behind Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. in popularity, through a deal with PC maker Dell Inc. Dell will put a special Live Search browser toolbar and Windows Live programs, including Microsoft’s e-mail and instant-messaging applications, on most of the consumer and small-business PCs that it sells worldwide. This deal replaces a relationship between Dell and Google.
It has also formed a five-year partnership with Verizon Wireless that calls for the Live Search tools to be added to all Verizon cell phones in the U.S. that can access the Internet.
Downloads
Windows 7 Beta – Available for Download starting 9th Jan’09.
Internet Explorer 8 Beta
Windows Live
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Live, Windows 7, IE, Operating System, Free Software
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Comments
Nice, this is the first i’ve heard of it, and about time too, Vista was tanking hard. I think the size might be in order to combat battery life drainage. It matters less and less each day, hard drives are getting bigger and cheaper by the hour.
Looks like MS have delayed slightly.
I really want to get my hands on a copy, hopping it’s better than Vista in the long run.
JAB_au´s last blog post..Windows 7 Beta
The link for Windows 7 does not work anymore. It seems as if the demand was too much and they have removed the download link. Apparently it will be back when they have a link available that can handle the demand. We will have to wait a bit longer it seems.
Lyndi´s last blog post..Displaying Code in Content
@Lax, I haven’t installed it yet. But, as per the reviews that I read, they say it’s much better than the Vista.
@Matthew, you are correct. You can find the download and installation instructions in my previous post.
@Jab_au, it’s sad that it’s postponed. To my knowledge, it’s definitely going to be better than Vista. Fingers crossed! lol!!
Arun, windows 7 will be good but, it will run fast only if we have pc/laptop with huge memory otherwise it will be very slow.
Nihar´s last blog post..How to get Windows 7 Beta Activation Keys
Got my admin to load the RTM copy we got on an older Dell D810 with only 2GB of memory and it’s lightning fast. We’ve got some testing to do but looks real good so far.
John@Music Downloads´s last blog ..Picking the Best Mp3 Music Download Site 
Win7 is very good.I saw it already in my company.
But seeems to be very huge amount of space you need to install that one.
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