Questions on what happens when Window 7 Beta expires

[marmasatt]

Hiya,

I know this has probably been asked before, but I am finding conflicting information, or none at all.

What is the official expiration date, I've heard both 7/1 and 8/1/09?

What exactly happens on that date? Your system blows up? Can you not even log in or do they shoot you warnings for a few days or something?

Is there like a Beta 2 that will come out around the same time and when does that expire? Is that like a SP type thing or an entirely different download and fresh install?

It was probably a little short sighted but I've been using this as my primary OS (and like it alot BTW) but I've got to plan ahead too.

 

[MadRat]

August 1 was on the MS website for the beta.

 

[nerp]

Entirely different install. I believe once it expires, it will go into reduced functionality mode which will let you back up important data but that's about it.

 

[Billb2]

There's an RC2 out now. Don't know when it expires though.

 

[MadRat]

Where did you hear there is an rc2? Absolutely no basis for an rc2 right now considering the pre-release of rc1 just started.

 

[marmasatt]

So even the beta goes into RFM? Or else I guess people wouldn't stop using it, eh?

And I can's see anything supporting that there is an RC2 out yet for W7. There isn't right? Anyone heard a tentative date?

 

[VinDSL]

Oh, what a tangled web we weave...

I've run several Vista betas, and every time I wanted to install a new version, I had to remove the old version - but hey - it's a beta, you know? I suspect W7 Final (for want of a better name) will be the same.

If you want to cover all the bases, dual-boot or triple-boot your drive. Personally, I'm running Vista, W7, and Linux on this machine. That way you can store your data (et al) in other partitions where it will be safe, even if W7 "blows up".

 

[13Gigatons]

Just upgrade it to the RC and it will extend the life.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

There is a tool out there that will disable the timer in Windows 7 beta so it will never expire.
I've never tried it, as if Windows 7 is this good in beta, and it is better in release, I actually wouldn't mind paying for it. Where as Vista I use my work MSDN sub for it.

 

[Modelworks]

Go to start, type in winver
It is July 1/2009 for everyone.

And no the RC is not out or even built yet , due in April hopefully.

 

[sportage]

I too seen somewhere there was a trick to "extend" the expire date by 90 days. And a trick to that to get another 12 extended months after the 90.Didnot note where that was. I think it was a W7 beta forum somewhere.

 

[thescreensavers]

An easy trick is to move Bios time back a few months, I hear this works

 

[Ol Bob]

Thescreensavers-lol- I used to watch that on tv every night.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Ol Bob
Thescreensavers-lol- I used to watch that on tv every night.

Most of the people from Techtv, Leo Laporte, John Dvorak, Patrick Norton, have a online radio show that is usually pretty good at :
http://twit.tv/twit

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: MadRat
Where did you hear there is an rc2? Absolutely no basis for an rc2 right now considering the pre-release of rc1 just started.

He's probably confused, there was recent news about SP2 for Vista and SP1 for Server 2008 going into RC2.