Windows 7 RC trial period ending soon

Robert Hallock 2 Feb, 2010 at 1:02am ET Article published in Tech

Microsoft has warned users of the Windows 7 Release Candidate that beginning on February 15, the RC will display warnings alerting the user that the OS will perform bi-hourly shutdowns starting March 1 as the trial period draws to a close.

“On February 15th, people still running the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) will receive a notification reminding them that starting March 1st, 2010, their PC will begin experiencing bi-hourly shutdowns,” wrote Microsoft rep Brandon LeBlanc. “These shutdowns will continue through June 1st, 2010.

“On June 1st, 2010, a non-genuine experience is triggered where your wallpaper is removed and ‘This copy of Windows is not genuine’ will be displayed in the lower right corner above the taskbar. This means your PC will no longer be able to obtain optional updates or downloads that require genuine Windows validation.”

Microsoft is advising that users move to the final retail copy of Windows 7 in order to avoid data loss or any additional complications. Those users who decide to upgrade to the retail edition of Windows 7 may follow our upgrade guide, which will migrate an RC install to any final version without a reformat.

Comments

2 Feb 2010 ~ 2:51am Snarkasm Guess I need to replace my hard drive quickly, then. Bah.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 2:58am RWB Yeah I've been holding this off longer than I had expected heh.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 4:06am Tim I have my main PC set up to dual boot in XP and Windows 7 RC build 7000. It's been doing the bi-hourly shutdowns and giving me the message about not being valid for a while now. I only use it when I want to play Team Fortress 2.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 1:33pm chrisWhite Ur doing it wrong.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 1:36pm Thrax ^ This.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 1:54pm UPSLynx Need to start packing my bags for XP land again, and prep for a dual boot of Win 7 whenever I do buy it. Soon, hopefully.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 3:41pm Kwitko Pro tip: You can hack a downgrade to IE6 in Win7 build 7000 and it won't deactivate.
2 Feb 2010 ~ 6:12pm Snarkasm /me has a Vertex Turbo on the way.

I love the smell of a fresh install coming... I don't need to do anything special with the installer, yes? Just let it go to town?
2 Feb 2010 ~ 6:57pm chrisWhite I do love the fell of a brand new install. It's an open canvas before you start jacking it up
2 Feb 2010 ~ 11:18pm QCH Oh crap... I only have one copy. Hmmmmm.... time to scrounge for more copies.