Upgrading from Windows 7 Beta to Windows 7 RC
Already their has been lot of rumors about the Windows 7 RC . Today the Engineering Windows 7 blog has posted the long article explaining how to upgrade from Windows 7 beta to Windows 7 RC. Here are some of the main points from the long post
Here’s what you can do to bypass the check for pre-release upgrade IF YOU REALLY REALLY NEED TO:
- Download the ISO as you did previously and burn the ISO to a DVD.
- Copy the whole image to a storage location you wish to run the upgrade from (a bootable flash drive or a directory on any partition on the machine running the pre-release build).
- Browse to the sources directory.
- Open the file cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad.
- Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For example, change 7100 to 7000 (pictured below).
- Save the file in place with the same name.
- Run setup like you would normally from this modified copy of the image and the version check will be bypassed.
These same steps will be required as we transition from the RC milestone to the RTM milestone.
The New Internet Games in Windows 7
If you’re running the Windows 7 Beta you might have already noticed 3 new Windows Games for Windows 7.
Internet Backgammon: 
Internet Checkers: 
Internet Spades: 
These games were well liked in Windows XP. Due to the amount of requests we received, we are bringing them back!
The new versions of these games have been completely redesigned and improved over their old-school predecessors. With each game, you can:
- Play online against human opponents (up to 4 players at the same time with Internet Spades).
- Select from 3 skill levels to be matched with similarly skilled players from all around the world.
- If your opponent drops out, a computer opponent takes over to finish the game.
- Choose from cool different backgrounds and piece/card designs.
Source- Windows Team Blog
Windows 7 Beta Brings New Functionality to Games Explorer
In Windows Vista, we introduced the Games Explorer. This is the place where you can launch and manage your games, including built-in Windows games such as Solitaire and Chess Titans, and also PC games such as Games for Windows (and Games for Windows – LIVE) titles.
In Windows 7, we are introducing new functionality to Games Explorer that we think people will enjoy. These new features in Games Explorer can not only be appreciated by the casual gamer looking to play one of Windows 7’s many built-in games, but also the more advanced PC gamer too.
The new features I am going to talk about here are available for you to try out in the Windows 7 Beta today.
When you first fire up Games Explorer in Windows 7, you will notice that Games Explorer is divided up between Games and Game Providers. Game Providers are the companies that distribute the games you install on your PC.
Read the full article at Windows Team Blog
Change Windows 7 Media Center background
Hack7mc has posted a guide to change the Windows 7 Media Center Background.
Although not officially a part of the Media Center software, there is a way to do it. It’s not the easiest thing in the world as it involves applying a new registry file and editing permissions. But if those sorts of things are second nature to you, it’s definitely worth checking out the tutorial on this hack.
If you want to get even crazier, there’s also a guide available on making new, complete themes for Media Center using a software program called Restorator.
However, if all that sounds like way too much geeking out for you, then you can simply download and install this new Media Center theme called “Homeworld” from the Hacking Windows 7 Media Center blog. The download works on Windows 7 Beta1 Build 7000 – both x86 and x64 versions.
Source- Channel 10 Blog
Enabling Multi-Touch in the Windows 7 Beta
Windows 7 has been out for a while, I’d like to highlight how folks can try out Windows Touch, Windows 7’s new multi-touch capabilities.
In order to take advantage of it, you are going to need a PC that supports multiple touch points. Today – there are a few PCs on the market to choose from:
- HP TouchSmart All-in-One PCs (IQ500 series & IQ800 series)
- HP TouchSmart tx2 Tablet PC
- Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC
To enable multi-touch capabilities on these PCs running the Windows 7 Beta you will need to make sure you have the latest multi-touch beta drivers. The driver allows the digitizer screen to support multiple touch points. Remember these are beta drivers, they still need to pass through our rigorous Windows Logo process before they are final, we can’t guarantee that all pre-Windows 7 PCs will have logoed drivers.
- For HP TouchSmart All-in-One PCs: The driver is available from Windows Update. After you have installed the Window 7 Beta, open Windows Update from the Start menu. You might have to click the “Check for Updates” link on your left so it will find the driver, it is Optional right now so you’ll have to select it before it will install.
- For the Dell Latitude XT and HP TouchSmart tx2 Tablet PCs: the drivers are available now on N-Trig’s website. N-Trig is the company that makes the digitizer in these PCs (you should read the release notes, there are some limitations, like no pen support you should be aware of and how to switch between Windows Vista and Windows 7). Please also note these are beta drivers and are not supported by Dell or HP.
Source- Windows 7 team Blog
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 7 Beta General Availability to end soon…
Brandon LeBlanc, has posted a blog post, updating the dates and deadlines for the broad availability of Windows 7 Beta. Though if you are a TechNet or MSDN Subscriber this doesn’t apply to you and you would continue to enjoy the download till the beta ends!
The entire blog post can be read HERE.
Here are the main points from the site
The shutdown of general availability for the Windows 7 Beta will occur in 3 phases over the course of the next few weeks:
- Starting January 27th, the Windows 7 page will be updated with a warning that time is running out on downloading the Windows 7 Beta and that we will be limiting downloads shortly. People will be encouraged to register and start the download of the Windows 7 Beta sooner rather than later.
- February 10th, new downloads of the Windows 7 Beta will no longer be available. People who have already started their Windows 7 Beta download and have not yet finished will still be able to finish their download and are encouraged to do so.
- February 12th, people will no longer be able to complete their download of the Windows 7 Beta. Anyone who hasn’t finished downloading the Windows 7 Beta will be unable to do so.
Product keys for the Windows 7 Beta will continue to be available. So if you have the Windows 7 Beta but didn’t get a product key you will be able to do so even after February 12th.
Windows 7 beta available for download until February 10
According to the MSDN Up North blog the deadline to download Windows 7 beta from the Windows 7 official site has been extended to 10th Feb 2009 which was earlier 25th Jan.So all those who haven’t downloaded Windows 7 just go ahead and download it from here,you would definitely feel the difference between this version and the previous versions of Windows.
