Windows 7 Release Candidate Available for Download

Microsoft has released the Windows 7 Release Candidate for download for MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers from the TechNet web site. It's available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, based on the version of Windows you are currently running and your machine’s hardware configuration. Both versions are available in English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Microsoft recommends the following as recommended minimum system requirements for running the RC:

• 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

The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. However, starting March 1, 2010, your PC will start shutting down every two hours. Windows will warn you two weeks before the shutdowns start. So, in actuality, you need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010 for non-interrupted use.

If you're interested in test driving Windows 7 before it's release, remember that this is pre-release software and you're bound to run into bugs and possible driver incompatibilities or issues.

Please make sure to back up all your data before starting!