• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Windows 7 Beta and RC Expiration Dates

RebateMonger

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Hopefully everyone using Windows 7 Beta and RC versions knows that they have expiration dates. The expiration dates were announced when the software was made available for download on Microsoft's sites.

The expirations now take two forms:
First - The PC starts rebooting very two hours
Second - The PC takes other measures, including notification that it's not properly licensed.

Microsoft recently sent an email to all registered Windows 7 Beta users, reminding them of the expiration dates. Unfortunately, the email was wrong.

Here's Microsoft's revised email, giving the correct expiration dates of the Beta and RC software:

"Special Beta Edition -- Correction

Because you signed up to test the Windows 7 Beta, we recently sent you mail about the expiration dates for the Beta and Release Candidate. Unfortunately, we made a mistake.

We said the Beta would start shutting down every two hours on June 1, 2009. The correct date is July 1, 2009.

The rest of the dates in the mail were correct. Here?s a quick summary:
Version-------------------Starts shutting down every two hours-------Expires:
Beta ----------------------July 1, 2009---------------------------------August 1, 2009
Release Candidate-------March 1, 2010--------------------------------June 1, 2010

We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

Thanks again for helping us test Windows 7. "

Note: This post has been stickied to the top of the Operating Systems Forum until July 3, 2009.
 
There are versions of the Beta that do not expire until June 1, 2010. For example, I am using 7068 (I think, I am at work right now), and that one as well as ver. 7077 have the same expiration as the RC build(s) 7100+, in June 2010. I know that the original Beta ver. 7000 has the earlier expiration date of Aug 2009. I am not certain about builds between 7000 and 7068.
 
i have 7100xxx but heck its a whole freaking year.... A YEAR of free OS. i doubt i'll mind reinstalling at that point. however, shouldnt be no big deal for anyone to reinstall regardless of when it expires assuming their smart enough to always back up important data and configurations on seperate mediums regularly and especially before a re-format.
i can lose my OS install today and still have it all back in a couple hours
 
Originally posted by: Psynaut
There are versions of the Beta that do not expire until June 1, 2010. For example, I am using 7068 (I think, I am at work right now), and that one as well as ver. 7077 have the same expiration as the RC build(s) 7100+, in June 2010. I know that the original Beta ver. 7000 has the earlier expiration date of Aug 2009. I am not certain about builds between 7000 and 7068.
Click to expand...

Those aren't 'versions' of the beta. Beta was a specific build just like the RC is. These are weekly builds and had indeed had forward rolling expiration dates.
 
Originally posted by: bsobel
Originally posted by: Psynaut
There are versions of the Beta that do not expire until June 1, 2010. For example, I am using 7068 (I think, I am at work right now), and that one as well as ver. 7077 have the same expiration as the RC build(s) 7100+, in June 2010. I know that the original Beta ver. 7000 has the earlier expiration date of Aug 2009. I am not certain about builds between 7000 and 7068.
Click to expand...

Those aren't 'versions' of the beta. Beta was a specific build just like the RC is. These are weekly builds and had indeed had forward rolling expiration dates.
Click to expand...

Pic all the nits you want, I was providing useful and relevant information for users of the Beta OS. I have always heard the various pre-RC versions referred to as Beta version (or Build) 7068 or 7077 in print all of the internet, and I think most people would understand the difference between various versions of the Beta, (with their changing exp. dates), and the RC build.

My information was useful. I am not sure what the intent of your post is.

 
Originally posted by: Psynaut
Originally posted by: bsobel
Originally posted by: Psynaut
There are versions of the Beta that do not expire until June 1, 2010. For example, I am using 7068 (I think, I am at work right now), and that one as well as ver. 7077 have the same expiration as the RC build(s) 7100+, in June 2010. I know that the original Beta ver. 7000 has the earlier expiration date of Aug 2009. I am not certain about builds between 7000 and 7068.
Click to expand...

Those aren't 'versions' of the beta. Beta was a specific build just like the RC is. These are weekly builds and had indeed had forward rolling expiration dates.
Click to expand...

Pic all the nits you want, I was providing useful and relevant information for users of the Beta OS. I have always heard the various pre-RC versions referred to as Beta version (or Build) 7068 or 7077 in print all of the internet, and I think most people would understand the difference between various versions of the Beta, (with their changing exp. dates), and the RC build.

My information was useful. I am not sure what the intent of your post is.
Click to expand...

My point was to simply clarify the naming, not to nitpick. Its was soley to avoid confusion. There is the beta, the rc, and weekly builds. The folks on weekly's know they aren't on the beta or rc but those on the beta may be confused since they didn't have access to the other builds you are discussing



 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
The expirations now take two forms:
First - The PC starts rebooting very two hours
Second - The PC takes other measures, including notification that it's not properly licensed.
Click to expand...
Thanks, RebateMonger!

I've been putting this off for too long - gonna go delete 7 right now... :thumbsup:
 
Will the RC continue receiving the same updates as Gold until June 1, 2010? Or will it be cut off when Gold is released?
 
I installed the Beta back in early 2009 when it became available. I can not remember what build it was. The last two days I've been getting a popup on my notification area telling me that it will expire July 1. Is there a way I can upgrade the beta to the RC build without having to reinstall the OS. Sort of like a windows update that will extend my license to 2010?

I've got it dual booting with an XP installation that I can revert back to but I'd rather continue to use Win 7 until I can buy a full retail copy. Doesn't make much sense for me to have to reinstall with the RC version and then reinstall it again in October when the retail versions comes out.
 
Originally posted by: coomarlin
I installed the Beta back in early 2009 when it became available. I can not remember what build it was. The last two days I've been getting a popup on my notification area telling me that it will expire July 1. Is there a way I can upgrade the beta to the RC build without having to reinstall the OS. Sort of like a windows update that will extend my license to 2010?

I've got it dual booting with an XP installation that I can revert back to but I'd rather continue to use Win 7 until I can buy a full retail copy. Doesn't make much sense for me to have to reinstall with the RC version and then reinstall it again in October when the retail versions comes out.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can upgrade from any Beta Built to RC.

Click here for info
 
Originally posted by: coomarlin
Cool. Thanks. If I do this will I have to reinstall my device drivers and reconfigure my settings?
Click to expand...

nope it saves absolutely everything. It was giving me some issues with some drivers that It wanted me to uninstall but I just continued. I ended up having to reinstall Audi and video drives, but those aren't too hard to get.
 
Okay I want to make sure I have this right.

I currently have a dual boot system with my C drive running Windows 7 Beta 7000. My D drive is running Windows XP.

So I should download the RC 7100 Iso. BUrn it to DVD and then copy all the folders over to my C drive. Then edit the appropiate .ini file and then run the installer right from the C drive?
 
Originally posted by: coomarlin
Okay I want to make sure I have this right.

I currently have a dual boot system with my C drive running Windows 7 Beta 7000. My D drive is running Windows XP.

So I should download the RC 7100 Iso. BUrn it to DVD and then copy all the folders over to my C drive. Then edit the appropiate .ini file and then run the installer right from the C drive?
Click to expand...

I simply just extracted the ISO to a folder fixed up the file and just clicked setup from with in Build 7000.
 
I went from 7000 to RC1 2 days ago and I no longer have anything in my start menu, anyone else had this happen?
 
"This pre-release version of Windows 7 Ultimate will expire in 7 hours".

That's the message that was greeting me on my beta1 machine when I sat down a few minutes ago.

Guess it's time to install the RC!
 
I followed your instructions yesterday and it worked perfectly. Took a pretty long time but I didn't have to do a single thing afterwards. No tweaking drivers, no entering user names or passwords. It was very painless. Thanks for the help.

In the meantime I got on Amazon and pre-orderd Windows 7. No reason not to at the preorder prices.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top