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December 2, 2008 10:10 PM PST

Windows 7 beta in January?

Posted by Ina Fried
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Windows enthusiasts were buzzing on Tuesday over a Microsoft blog posting that makes it seem as if a beta version of Windows 7 should be ready by next month.

In a blog posting on Microsoft's Technet site, Keith Combs suggests those wanting to get their hands on the beta version should register to attend one of a dozen or so upcoming MSDN developer conferences.

That blog, and another Microsoft blog, make it clear that attendees will get a DVD with Windows 7 beta 1 on it. Some of the events are in December and the bloggers make it clear that those attending the earliest events won't get their DVD at the conference. In the comments section of his blog, though, Combs said the DVDs should be ready by mid-January.

"My understanding is that the DVD will not be ready for the first few show dates but will be mailed to each attendee," Combs said. "We are targeting to have the DVDs in the materials from 1/13/2009 on."

Microsoft handed out a pre-beta version of Windows 7 to attendees at the Professional Developer Conference in late October and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in early November.

In a statement late Tuesday, Microsoft said only that it is still targeting early 2009 for the broader beta.

"As we said at the PDC, we expect to deliver beta 1 in early 2009 and we continue to be on track to deliver against that development milestone," Microsoft said.

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 9 comments
by MSSlayer December 2, 2008 10:53 PM PST
Yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Reply to this comment
by nk100680 December 3, 2008 1:40 AM PST
Why because its not another pointless article about a phone that looks great but lacks substance?
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by assman December 3, 2008 1:51 AM PST
Hm, seems a bit early for a beta release considering how many major changes are still being added between pre-beta builds. I currently have build 6801 installed on my machine and I'm liking what I'm seeing so far, but I expect it to gain many more major features.
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by mickeymjay December 3, 2008 7:17 AM PST
Based on what I have read about pre-beta builds of Windows 7, I am looking forward to seeing how the first public beta stands up. I have read comments by people who did not like Vista but they are enjoying the Pre-Beta version very much.

I guess the big test is coming.
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by Mr. Dee December 3, 2008 8:29 AM PST
I have been exclusively on the Pre-Beta build of Windows 7 since early November, been running well, just don't have Glass. Rumor going around is Microsoft might launch the beta at CES 2009. Steve Sinofsky did say that BETA 1 would be a public release, so I guess we just have to hold him to his word.
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by AppleSuxLeo December 3, 2008 9:40 AM PST
I want 7 now ! Note to MSFT: Kill off Win Mo and replace with own phone hardware
(using Tegra Nvidia chip) running on Win 7 ;)
Reply to this comment
by Spanwite December 3, 2008 4:22 PM PST
Everything repeating it self, hip for Vista, now hip for Vista SE aka Win7. With Vista they did shoot them self in the foot, other operating systems are better for netbooks. Vista does not work good with SSD's, does not work good with multicore CPUs, does not work on Netbooks. What's next. Everyone who just bought a super Laptop to handle Vista Premium, need to upgrade to handle 7, or install Windows7 Basic Home Edition, it's just funny :-)!
But, on the other hand, Consumers will spend money again.

PS: Running XP Pro just fine, on a Laptop that was for ME aka 98 SE SE know what I mean ;-)
Reply to this comment
by Gunady December 3, 2008 6:15 PM PST
Spanwite, I use Vista on multicore CPU with SSD. There's no problem at all. What problem do you have exactly? And I read so far, the specification for Windows 7 is almost the same as Windows Vista, as the core kernel is actually based on the Vista's kernel, so the laptop that is sufficient to run Vista Premium should be able to run Windows 7 Premium too.
Reply to this comment
by Spanwite December 6, 2008 11:21 AM PST
Gunady, Maybe I should have written, Vista does not get the maximum possible out of SSD's, and multicore's, and is a sumo ringer that does not fit in the small sized computers.

I do not have any Apply Toys, or Linux!

Let's say Win7 has a new feature when it comes out to the "main street" Jan2010, that most Computer lover will like.
Similar to the Desktop cleanup, just much more advanced, it is monitoring your Win7 use for a while, then it tells you, you did not use 85% (or more useless) of Win7 Program codes.
Then it ask you the user can it safely remove the unused Codes, streamlining your Windows7 for maximum performance. It work 2ways when you install something new it will add codes again.

Prrrr. I have to wake up it's just a dream.
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About Beyond Binary

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft.


Beyond Binary is a look at how technology is changing our lives and the people behind all that life-changing stuff, with an extra emphasis on that which emanates from Redmond, Wash.

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