Windows 7 Beta Tester.

Anyone know how to become a beta tester for Microsoft? thanks

 

Microsoft plans to release a beta early next year. They suggest checking http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ as well as the engineering Win 7 blog- http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/

One more thing, register on Microsoft Connect, a place where they let people join some beta tests. http://connect.microsoft.com/

Check back there often to see wheather something appears there.

 

This is great information! I didn't realize that about the beta testing, on Microsofts site!


Cin

 

Yeah thanx, good stuff. I am already a member of connect.

 

I don't think they've announced this yet, but if they have - will the beta be 32 or 64 bit, or both? IIRC the final product is going to be both.

 

Wouldn't it make more sense for it to be 32 bit as so that it's more compatible with a wider number of Beta Tester's computers(speaking generally)?

 

I dont think it would be an issue. I can find 64 bit drivers for just about anything. 64 bit is the era that we are in now and should be the focus. Look at OS X, it is 64 bit and that is it. I may be wrong but I would focus on 64 bit.

 

I think MS should do away with 32 bit, not only that but as with vista having multiple editions, I think 2 is good enough, business and home. no basic or ultimate editions.

 

This version will still have both, but by the succeeding OS I would think that other PCs sold then will have at least 4GB of RAM and therefore need 64 bit OSes. Win 7 Server will be 64 bit only, but that makes sense since professionals will be handling that. For the beta just sign-up with Microsoft Connect and it should launch early next year.

 

I think when I registered with MS connect they sent me a beta version of Vista. They might do it again? Who knows wouldn't hurt signing up I guess.

 

I thought I heard it was going to be x64 but who knows.

I do know a few of my older programs do not work in x64 and I am having a hella hard time finding good x64 codecs for WMC for my HTPC so I had to use x86 for it.

 

IMO... they should just make a 64x version...
Also, i think there should be a "Basic" version, for netbooks and other low power PCs... A "Premium" edition, for PCs like most of us have, and a "Business" version, for business...

3 versions, all 64x....

 

Here here, it's time to ditch 32-bit and move entirely to 64-bit OSes.

 

If you get your hands on a BETA DVD (img), you can install it using either your old BETA key from Vista if you have one of a key from a current version of Vista. Thought I'd mention that, its kinda neat.

I still have mine in my email account

 

I'd love to get in on the Windows 7 BETA.

 

Screw the Beta. If it works on Dells and HPs, it will work on my PC, no problems. I can't wait til it actually comes out.

 

Microsoft said that, Windows 7 will be available in both 32 and 64-bit edition. However, unlike Vista, the 64-bit disk will be offered in the retail package rather than the 32-bit edition. So now if you want the 32-bit, you have to order the disk from Microsoft or get the Ultimate edition (if they decide to follow Vista product version layout).

Vista should have been 64-bit when it was released. Already the standard now in computers is 4GB of RAM, and now people are surprised how they get a performance reduction and only see 3.2 to 3.5GB of RAM when they have 4GB inside, because they use Windows XP/Vista 32-bit. Soon 6 to 8GB of RAM will be standard and a 32-bit OS doesn't quiet cut it. As more and more applications stop optimizing as much as their previous version, and put more fancy UI's and features, more computer power and memory is needed.

 

Thank you for the information. I wanted to know this ever since they announced that they were working on the new OS.

 

It won't be since people have tested them on netbooks like the Wind and EEE 1000H, which use 32-bit only Atom processors.

 

Also, if the system requirements are even remotely close to what they have said they are, 7 will run on P4's. (they said PIII's, but it's probably painful)

I think that the right direction is to give manufacturers no choice but to go x64.

Greg

 

How to get in on the Beta (which is coming in December)

 

I'm willing to try the beta out as long as I can go back to Vista if it turns out to be too bothersome or unstable.

 

Don't post links to torrents, I had to delete a few posts.

 

Using it now, not buggy at all, Obtained Software through torrents, Key through friend at M$......

 

Lol yeah I know that there are out there but I'm a bit weird when it comes to technology. Sometimes I like to follow the proper channels/methods and then at other times I don't mind going the other route...

I'll just wait for the official beta release..

But thanks for the info. I'm glad to know that even the pre beta seems to be relatively good.

 

PLEASE don't do that. If you are quoting someone, please remove the images from the quote.
What you just did is just truly annoying. Respect the other forum users!

 

Yeah I agree lol

Great pictures though.

 

Those guys just love pumping out software & operating systems, don't they... I never heard about windows 7 up until 5 min ago, Vista isn't even 'finished' it's life cycle, and it cost too much.

 

Whatever. I wish I cared more about what you think.

 

Did you just expect them to quit making their product better?

 

Except you don't pay for the hardware when you buy windows.

 

True, cell phones definitely suck still though, ESPECIALLY Verizon. Their smart phone line up is mosstly like 2 years old!

 

Verizon is getting the hottest smartphone soon, the Blackberry Storm.

 

Sprint has a excellent lineup on there phones and probably the best high end line up I have ever seen. To bad they are going down hill. I hope they can pull out. I like sprint even though I have ATT.

 

Actually, it had been 10 years from when XP was released till vista was released, and the only reason vista was released is because the people wanted a new OS, so to keep the people happy, MS released Vista as sort of a pre runner to Windows 7.

 

My recall might not be the best, but I do seem to remember MS having a bit of a hand in feeding that "want" in ways that, in retrospect, were probably a bit unwise. Of course, as well all know, hindsight is 20/20.

 

I think they should make the 64-bit the main edition, and the 32-bit the optional version. That makes most people happy. I still use a 32-bit laptop, and plan to for the foreseeable future. I want Win 7 - seems like a good product. I admit though, I plan to put 64-bit Win 7 on my HTPC.

 

You're thinking backwards. MS wants to reach the general population with their OS. 64bit OS which isn't supported by most softwares would **** people off.

32bit should be standard, and for those who want the best or highest number of everything, those who like to get the most out of their system, or whatever the hell 64bit is good for, would have to get the 64bit.

Which seems pretty obvious. Plus when you buy a new computer or laptop, you have a choice of which system to get so I don't see why this is a problem.

--------------------------

Anyways, I left my latpop idle for a few minutes and notice the screen dimming by itself even though I'm connected to a power supply. I thought that was cool.

1 thing that is probably a defect is, if you "hide desktop icons" it hides everything. including the gadgets. And if you change the background, you won't notice it until you reboot. Which is ghey.

Also, defrag now has a % indicator which was missing in Vista.

All this worth over $100? haha. I don't think so. I have to agree, this should just be a sp2 update.

 

forget it, we should just move to 128 bit.

 

Microsoft said that Win7 will be sold on RETAIL as 64-bit as default. You can order the 32-bit if you want (same layout as Vista, but on reverse).

 

That's nice that they're forcing the change.

PS. I'm trying to run a pre-beta build in a VM but it keeps BSODing, anyone else have any luck getting it to run? (I don't want to install it in its own partition but rather sandbox it)

 

I have seen Internet picture showing it with Virtual PC 2007. Just set it 1-2GB of RAM and say you are about to install Vista. That is all I know.

 

I've tried with MSVPC and VMWare and they both cause BSODs (within the VM) when loading up the .iso, I guess it could be the iso, I'll have to DL another and check.

 

Meh, in the end MS is doing it to get away from Vista, so I guess it will benefit us in the long run. Though I agree 100%.

 

You really are the one that has it wrong. If apple did not force the change to 64 bit then they would be way behind. If MS does not force the change then they will get left in the dust. 7 will be released in another year and by then I am pretty sure that all software will be 64 bit compatible. I cant think of much of all that is not 64 bit compatible except for some really old games or older Photoshop versions. Anyhow it will be a really small number of people who will need to stay 32 bit so for the sake of progress I say let them deal with getting the 32 bit version.

And for the icon issue and other things that you dont find fit, THIS IS A BETA RELEASE and only has a sliver of the new things in it. Be patient little buddy it will get better.

 

It's worth over $100 for those that decided to skip Vista!

 

Its worth being free for those of us that are students and get it free!

 

Microsoft Academic Alliance FTW!