Some people like to get their free Microsoft products by adopting the eye patch and a parrot approach via sites such as The Pirate Bay. Some of us, however, rather like the idea of getting Windows 7 totally free, totally legally, and direct from Microsoft for good measure.

Yes, I can confirm that simply by downloading the 2.47GB Windows 7 Release Code version direct from Microsoft from May 5th through July, you will be entitled to run it without charge until June 2010. That, to put it into some perspective, is more than 400 days worth of Windows 7 without breaking the law and without spending any money. It is also likely to mean that you will be able to enjoy a free Windows 7 experience for around six months or so after the product actually goes on sale later this year. It's not even that you are getting stuck with some wobbly early version of the OS either, word is that this is pretty much the most stable and solid Windows RC build ever.

What is more, there appears to be no limits to the numbers of downloads you can make so it will be possible to load up Windows 7 on your desktop, notebook and netbook (drivers allowing) all without charge until June 2010.

The minimum specs have been revealed as a 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM and 16GB of hard drive space, not forgetting the DirectX 9 supporting graphics. Oh, and throw in another 2GB RAM and 15GB drive space if you want to run in XP Mode. Of course, this does all rather assume that, unlike 84 percent of those asked, you actually want a copy of Windows 7.