The IT Nerd

So, you want to try the latest version of Windows? Now’s your chance. The release candidate popped up for the general public today and can be downloaded here. Some things to keep in mind:

1. This is a pre-release product, so you’re running it at your own risk.
2. There’s no support for this, so if you get into trouble you’re on your own.
3. You should install this on a separate computer.
4. Did I mention that this is a pre-release product, so you’re running it at your own risk?

Microsoft has posted a document with lots of details that you should read.

Enjoy!

You might recall that in this article about mainstream support for XP ending, I said the following:

“…..Plus if Windows 7 isn’t the home run that they think it is going to be, then they’ll have to scramble to keep the revenue stream going. That means XP.”

It seems that I might have called that one. A survey of more than 1100 IT professionals seems to paint a rather gloomy picture for the son of Vista Windows 7:

The survey, of more than 1,100 IT professionals, is one of the first extensive looks at Windows 7’s early sales prospects. It found that a whopping 83% of enterprises plan to skip the OS in its first year. While the business market typically tends toward caution when it comes to new products, the figure is nonetheless surprising given that almost no large companies migrated to Vista and as a result most have been using XP much longer than planned.

Ouch. You have to imagine that when Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer reads this, a chair or two will will be tossed in anger. This picture actually gets worse for Microsoft:

The news for Microsoft doesn’t get much better in Windows 7’s sophomore season. Less than half of the IT pros surveyed, 42%, said their organizations planned to deploy Windows 7 within 12 to 24 months of release. 24% said they would wait 24 to 36 months, and 17% said they would wait more than 36 months to migrate to Windows 7.

If those numbers are even half way accurate, I would expect to see XP rise from the grave to save the day… Again. The real question is why do these people feel this way? The answers won’t surprise you:

“The majority of participants do not plan to upgrade to Windows 7 in the next year. Economic factors are contributing to the delay in Windows 7 adoption for almost half of all participants. Software compatibility is the most frequently cited concern with Windows 7,” notes the study…

With Apple starting to gain marketshare as people ditch their Windows computers and head to the Temple Of Steve Jobs Apple Stores for a MacBook or iMac, not to mention gains from LINUX and other options in the open source community, I seriously doubt that the PC market can afford another stillborn OS from Microsoft.

The question is, is anybody in Redmond listening?

Microsoft has been telling the world that if hardware supports Windows Vista, it will support Windows 7. Computer Reseller News has put that to the test, and the results don’t seem to support what Microsoft has been saying:

But after a series of tests on older and newer hardware, a number of noteworthy issues emerged: Microsoft’s statement that if hardware works with Windows Vista it will work with Windows 7 appears to be, at best, misleading; hardware that is older, but not near the end of most business life cycles, could be impossible to upgrade; and the addition of an extra step in the upgrade process does add complexity and more time not needed in previous upgrade cycles.

That basically means that if you want Windows 7, you’re best path as it stands is to buy a new box with Windows 7 on it. The article does note that Windows 7 is still in beta and things can improve between now and the time it ships, but this is not a good sign. Why? Ignoring the fact that the upgrade path as it stands right now requires more time and effort than in the past which will be a drain on IT resoursces, there is the fact that companies who are likely suffering with this rather horrific economy are not going to go out and buy new boxes just to run Windows 7.

Microsoft needs to step up and deal with this now. Otherwise Windows 7 could end up being the “son of Vista.”

I guess that Microsoft really wants to keep computer sales rolling until Windows 7 arrives. I say that because according to TechArp (whom has a high reliablity record when it comes to getting info about Microsoft), Microsoft is planning to offer free upgrades to Windows 7 to users who buy a Vista computer:

The Windows 7 Upgrade Program is designed to assist Microsoft’s OEM partners in minimizing the number of end users who may postpone acquiring a new computer because of the impending release of the Windows 7 operating system. This program allows OEMs to offer an upgrade to Windows 7 to end users who qualify.

This is a consumer-oriented program targeted at individual consumers and small businesses that have purchased eligible PCs during the Program Eligibility Period.

I’m not surprised that they’re doing this. The goal of this program is to minimize the number of end users who may postpone purchasing a new computer because of the next version of Windows will be released soon. That keeps Microsoft’s sales decent and their partners happy.

Let’s see how this works for them.

According to an article on PCPro, Microsoft in its infinite wisdom has decided that the world needs six versions of Windows 7. You read that correctly, six different versions. The versions according to the article will be:

Starter Edition: A lightweight version for netbook computers, that will only be capable of running three applications concurrently. It will lack the vast majority of the advanced features, such as Media Center and touchscreen support, but will include the new Taskbar and Home Group feature.

Home Basic: For emerging markets only. Microsoft has, bizarrely, appeared to swap the meaning of Starter and Home Basic. Intended to “access the internet and run basic productivity applications”.

Home Premium: The mainstay version that Microsoft will put the majority of its marketing weight behind. Will include Media Center, touchscreen support, full Aero glass graphics, improved media format support and streaming, and the option to easily share files across a home network with the new Libraries feature.

Professional: A business version for home workers and small businesses not operating on a volume licence. Will include features such as advanced network backup and Encrypting File System. However, BitLocker encryption is once again reserved for the Enterprise and Ultimate editions.

Enterprise: For volume licence customers. Will include all the Professional features, plus BitLocker protection – including the new option to encrypt USB flash drives and external hard disks. Will also include DirectAccess, which allows remote workers to securely access a company network without a VPN.

Ultimate: The all-encompassing version of Windows 7, although there’s no repeat of Vista’s much-maligned Ultimate Extras. Branded as the “no compromise SKU for tech enthusiasts” it will include every single feature available in Windows 7.

Oh, I’m not done yet. Accoding to a different PCPro article, each version will have a completely different subset of Windows 7 features.

Confused yet? Imagine how “Joe Average” will feel.

Keep in mind the last time they tried this with Vista, Apple got a lot of mileage out of it. Not to mention that it caused confusion in the marketplace.

I suspect that history is about to repeat itself.

UPDATE: The Globe And Mail is reporting that Microsoft will pimp heavily promote Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional. The software giant claims that this move will “make these choices as simple and clear as possible for customers and partners.” That may be the case Microsoft, but you’re still selling six different versions which means that someone will ask which version they need.

The beta for Windows 7 hasn’t been out that long and there’s news that a Windows 7 Release Candidate will be hitting the streets shortly:

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.”

That means that there will be no second beta and that Microsoft intends to get this out the door ASAP so that they can atone for the monumental screw up that is known as Windows Vista.

I’m voting for a summer release of Windows 7. Anybody agree with me?

For the 8 people who didn’t already grab this via BitTorrent, the Windows 7 beta is now available for download. It expires August 1st, but that’s okay because I figure that Windows 7 should actually be shipping by then. Of course, this is a beta so don’t use it for anything important.

Download away and leave a comment with your first impressions.

UPDATE: “Don” left a comment saying that the server was too busy. I looked into it and from a brief look at Twitter, others are having the same problem. Also, there seem to be issues getting a license key as well and the download link that I posted earlier says “Windows 7 Beta coming soon” when you surf to it.

If you really want to get your hands on the beta, try these links (confirmed working as of 4:00 PM EST):

Windows 7 x86 (32bit)

Windows 7 x64 (64 bit)

You’ll still need to get a product key (only 2.5 million of them are available so don’t delay) from Microsoft once the Windows 7 site updates. But you can at least get the ISO of your choice and burn it to DVD. Microsoft also mentions that the official path to download the beta starts here.

Thanks for the tip “Don!”

UPDATE #2: This story was posted 30 minutes ago. It looks like the web traffic brought the Microsoft server farm to its knees. As a result, they’re saying “No Windows 7 for you!” At least not for the balance of the day.

UPDATE #3: Microsoft has worked out their issues and you can now download the beta.

UPDATE #4: Remember the Microsoft imposed 2.5 million user limit? It’s been lifted for a couple of weeks.

Microsoft CEO and chair thrower Steve Ballmer took the stage at CES yesterday to announce that the beta version of Windows 7 is now available:

“I’m thrilled to announce the availability of the Windows 7 beta, which is on track to deliver simplicity and reliability,” Ballmer said. “Windows 7 and Windows Live are part of an incredible pipeline of consumer technology that is making it easier than ever for people to communicate, share and get more done.”

Does it fetch your slippers too Steve? It better if you expect to recover from the Vista disaster. I say that because that paragraph sounds really familiar. Like when he announced Vista perhaps?

In any case, the beta version of Windows 7 can be downloaded by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet customers immediately. Consumers who want to test-drive the beta will be able to download it beginning Jan. 9 at Microsoft’s Windows 7 Website. Of course, if you wanted to test it, you would likely have pinched it via BitTorrent already.

If you’ve got your mitts on the beta, please leave a comment and let us know what you think of it.