windows7upgradeoption.com to be launched on Friday,26th June

The new site Windows 7 Upgrade option has been revealed.Though still their is no information available.The page reads as 

Thank you for your interest. Please return to this site on June 26, 2009.

What will be provided on Friday is unknown but we may finally find out pricing options for Windows 7 upgrades or it could possibly show the paths you have to upgrade to Windows 7 but leaving out the pricing options.
Microsoft also plans to release final versions of its Windows 7 keyboard and mice drivers on June 26.
A quick background check on who owns the site reveals that "This site is hosted for Microsoft by arvato digital services.
© 2009 This site is maintained by or for one of the following Microsoft Corporation affiliates: Microsoft Licensing, GP, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, or Microsoft (China) Co. Limited, and the applicable entity is referred to as "Microsoft" throughout this site" and also the domain is owned by Microsoft so  this site is legitimate

Thanks to Neowin for the info

Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta is now available for download.Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC’s system, programs and devices to check if it’s able to run Windows 7. After a few minutes, the report will let you know if your PC meets the system requirements, if there are any known compatibility issues with your programs and devices, and will also provide guidance on your upgrade options to Windows 7.

You can download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor beta from here

Download Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5 for Windows 7

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) version 5.5 contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Windows 7, Windows Vista®, a Windows Update, or a new version of Windows® Internet Explorer® in your environment.

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.5 helps customers understand their application compatibility situation by identifying which applications are compatible with the Windows 7 RC and Windows Vista® operating system and which require further testing. ACT helps customers lower their costs for application compatibility testing, prioritize their applications, and deploy Windows more quickly.
You can use the ACT features to:

• Verify an application’s compatibility with a new version of the Windows operating system, or a Windows Update, including determining your risk assessment.
• Become involved in the ACT Community, including sharing your risk assessment with other ACT users.
• Test your Web applications and Web sites for compatibility with new releases and security updates to the Windows® Internet Explorer® Internet browser.

You can download the Microsoft ACT here

Windows 7 RC technet page is live

The Windows 7 RC page was live yesterday and the published date stated that it would be released in May 2009 contrary to the previous rumours regarding it’s release on April 10.

Here is what the page reads-

Windows 7 Release Candidate
Published: May 2009
Download instructions

Welcome to Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) testing. We’re on our way to Windows 7, and the RC is a great opportunity for IT professionals like you to take Windows 7 and begin testing it in your real environment. You get to see what’s coming, and we get to see if our changes and fixes from the Beta testing are working correctly. We want to encourage you to install and actively test the RC code. This will help us ensure Windows 7 is the best possible release, and help you get ready for Windows 7 deployment.

Here’s what you need to know:

• This is pre-release software, so please read the following to get an idea of the risks and key things you need to know before you try the RC.
• You don’t need to rush to get Windows 7 RC. The RC release will be available at least through June 2009 and we’re not limiting the number of product keys, so you have plenty of time.
• Watch the calendar. Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010. So if you install the RC release you’ll either need to upgrade to the final version of Windows 7 before that date, or install a prior version of Windows. (For more about installing Windows, see installation instructions.
• Protect your PC and data . Be sure to back up your data and please don’t test Windows 7 RC on your primary home or business PC.
• Technical details/updates: before installing the RC please read the Release Notes, and Things to Know for important information about the release.
• Keep up with the news. You can keep up with general technical information and news by following the Springboard Series blog or Windows team blog. Want technical guidance, tips, and tools? Visit the Springboard Series on TechNet.
• And, you can get non-technical news, tips, and offers on the Springboard Series on TechNet
• Keep your PC updated: Be sure turn on automatic updates in Windows Update in case we publish updates for the RC.
• Microsoft Partners: Learn more about Windows 7on the Microsoft Partner Portal.

Here’s what you need to have:

• Internet access (to download Windows 7 RC and get updates)
• A PC with these minimum recommended specifications:
  • 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor or higher
  • 1 GB of system memory or more
  • 16 GB of available disk space
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)
  • DVD-R/W Drive

Please note these specifications could change. And, some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware.

Get the download

The 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 RC are available in five languages: English, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish. (Note: The RC version will not be available in Hindi or Arabic.) Just choose the version that fits the system you’ll be using, pick your language, and click go to register for and download the RC.

Downloading the Windows 7 RC could take a few hours. The exact time will depend on your provider, bandwidth, and traffic. The good news is that once you start the download, you won’t have to answer any more questions - you can walk away while it finishes. If your download gets interrupted, it will restart where it left off. See this FAQ for details.

Existing TechNet Plus subscribers, download the Windows 7 RC software here. Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about TechNet Plus.

Select the Windows 7 RC version you want to download

Choose between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions, based on the version of Windows you are currently running and your machine’s hardware configuration. Each version is available in five languages: English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Download the 32-bit (x86) version: Select Your Language English French German Japanese Spanish

Download the 64-bit (x64) version: Select Your Language English French German Japanese Spanish

Information about Windows 7 is preliminary and subject to change. Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware. The features and functionality you find in the pre-release product may not appear in the final version of Windows 7. If we change the software before it’s released, we’ll change this information accordingly. We’re not making express or implied warranties with this information.

The 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 RC would be available in five languages: English, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish.The RC version of Windows 7 would expire on 1st June 2010,and the specifications remains the same as the beta version of Windows 7

Windows 7 Build 7022 leaked!!

We know that Microsoft is currently going ahead with internal beta releases of Windows 7 and is preparing for the Windows 7 RC release,which is scheduled in April 2009.

The build 7022 is now available on various torrents site and on rapidshare too and is confirmed to be real.The Build is Build 7022.winmain.090115-1850 which clearly states that the build was created on 15th of January about 7 days after the release of the first public beta build 7000.According to the sources, build 7034 has also been released to the Microsoft employees. The Build is Build 7034.winmain.090202-1920 which states that it was created on 2nd Feb,pretty new indeed

Windows 7 pricing leaked

After the official announcement about the various editions of Windows 7 by Microsoft two days back,their has been news about the pricing of the different versions of Windows 7. According to the German Website Windows Secrets the different versions of Windows 7 would cost between  $199.95 and $ 319.95,though Microsoft has not published any news about the same. 

The Starter Edition of Windows 7 is valued at $199,95 which would be available worldwide. The Starter Edition of Windows 7 wouldn’t be available in stores, but exclusively through OEM partners.

Users in the developed countries have to spent at least $259,95 to get a retail copy of Windows 7 Home Premium edition, which is the smallest package available for them. Windows 7 Professional would be available for $299,95.

If you want full functionality,then you probably need to spent $319.95 for the Ultimate version of Windows 7. No information is available on pricing for the Windows 7 Enterprise Edition.

Source- Win7.in

E7 Blog:Roadmap from Windows 7 beta to RTM

The Engineering Windows 7 Blog has posted about the path of Windows 7 from the current beta to the general availability of Windows 7.

Here are the main points from the blog post

The next milestone for the development of Windows 7 is the Release Candidate or “RC”. Historically the Release Candidate has signaled “we’re pretty close and we want people to start testing the release, especially because all the features are done.” As we have said before, with Windows 7 we chose a slightly different approach which we were clear up front about and are all now experiencing together and out in the open.

We will then provide the Release Candidate as a refresh for the Beta. We expect, based on our experience with the Beta, a broad set of folks to be pretty interested in trying it out.

With the RC, this process of feedback based on telemetry then repeats itself. However at this milestone we will be very selective about what changes we make between the Release Candidate and the final product, and very clear in communicating them. We will act on the most critical issues. The point of the Release Candidate is to make sure everyone is ready for the release and that there is time between the Release Candidate and our release to PC makers and manufacturing to validate all the work that has gone on since the pre-Beta.

We also continue to build out our compatibility lists, starting with logo products, so that our http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility site is a good resource for people starting with availability

Here is the summery of the Windows 7 release

Pre-Beta – This release at the PDC introduced the developer community to Windows 7 and represents the platform complete release and disclosure of the features.

Beta – This release provided a couple of million folks the opportunity to use feature complete Windows 7 while also providing the telemetry and feedback necessary for us to validate the quality, reliability, compatibility, and experience of Windows 7. As we said, we are working with our partners across the ecosystem to make sure that testing and validation and development of Windows 7-based products begins to enter final phases as we move through the Beta.

Release Candidate (RC) – This release will be Windows 7 as we intend to ship it. We will continue to listen to feedback and telemetry with the focus on addressing only the most critical issues that arise. We will be very clear in communicating any changes that have a visible impact on the product. This release allows the whole ecosystem to reach a known state together and make sure that we are all ready together for the Release to Manufacturing. Once we get to RC, the whole ecosystem is in “dress rehearsal” mode for the next steps.

Release to Manufacturing (RTM) – This release is the final Windows 7 as we intend to make available to PC makers and for retail and volume license products.

General Availability (GA) – This is a business milestone and represents when you can buy Windows 7 pre-installed on PCs or as full packaged product.

Windows Sysinternals Updates: Autoruns v9.37, AccessChk v4.23

Autoruns v9.37: This update adds support for viewing the Local System account’s profile and adds a new option, Hide Microsoft and Windows Entries.

AccessChk v4.23: Changes the behavior of object manager name parsing to make enumerating the objects in an object manager directory more straight forward.

Source- Sysinternals blog