This is a reminder post for all the Windows users who still want to try out Windows 7 for free. The Release Candidate (build 7100) that was released to the public in May 2009 will no longer be available for download from TechNet after August 20, 2009. This means that you only have a week left to download the Windows 7 RC. Of course, you’ll still be able to install the RC build after that day, and Microsoft says it will still be giving out product keys for those who don’t have one yet.
Bi-hourly shutdowns of this build will begin on March 1, 2010; users will be told to install a released version of Windows and their PCs will shut down automatically every two hours.
On June 1, 2010, if you are still on the Windows 7 RC, your license will expire and the non-genuine experience will be triggered. Your wallpaper will be removed and “This copy of Windows is not genuine” will be displayed in the lower right corner above the taskbar.
Considering Windows 7 will be generally available on October 22, 2009, this will give users plenty of time to move over to the RTM code. Microsoft has already started handing out Windows 7 RTM to various groups.
