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Windows 7 free and legal until 2010

17 Years Ago newsguy 0 Tallied Votes 599 Views Share

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.

legal microsoft:windows-vista-7-8
About the Author
Member Avatar for newsguy
newsguy 30 The News Guy

I live and breathe technology news, it is what turns me on. Sad, but hey I am a news nerd, what can I say? I live and work in England, where I have been reporting IT news for far more years than I care to remember.

Dani AI

Generated 9 Months Ago

Short, practical clarification and next steps that pick up where the thread left off.

The Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) distributed in May 2009 was a legitimate, time‑limited preview — Microsoft warned that expiration notices would begin February 15, 2010, bi‑hourly shutdowns would start March 1, 2010, and the RC would fully expire on June 1, 2010 (desktop switched to a non‑genuine experience and some downloads/updates blocked). (blogs.windows.com)

The RC went public on May 5, 2009; Microsoft later closed the public RC download program in mid‑August 2009 and the retail/RTM release reached customers in October 2009. If you were looking for an RC download in late 2009 (as asked), that explains why was correct that it wasn’t available indefinitely. (blogs.windows.com)

Practical advice for anyone who actually ran the RC: don’t expect an in‑place upgrade to the final retail build — Microsoft did not support upgrading RC→RTM. Back up everything first (Windows Easy Transfer, a full disk image, or file backups), get your retail/OEM install media or license, then do a clean install of the RTM (or whatever supported OS you choose). Plan the move well before March 1, 2010 to avoid the two‑hour shutdowns. ’s warning about the March shutdowns is exactly the sort of thing to act on. (computerworld.com)

If you’re reading this years later: Windows 7 itself reached end of support on January 14, 2020, so it’s not a secure long‑term choice today — consider migrating to a supported Windows release or a maintained Linux distribution, or look into Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates only if you must keep legacy systems. ’s point about free alternatives remains relevant for hardware you can’t upgrade safely. (learn.microsoft.com)

Further reading: see Microsoft’s Windows team posts and the KB pages linked above for exact timelines and upgrade notes.

Member Avatar for windowsrefund
windowsrefund 0 Newbie Poster
17 Years Ago

and some of us prefer to avoid enslaving technology made by Microsoft, Adobe, Apple and others. Instead, we use Free Software like GNU/Linux that respects our freedoms.

Member Avatar for scru
scru 909 Posting Virtuoso Featured Poster
17 Years Ago

Not this insufferable RMS propaganda again.

Member Avatar for happygeek
happygeek 2,411 Most Valuable Poster Team Colleague Featured Poster
17 Years Ago

RMS?

Member Avatar for happygeek
happygeek 2,411 Most Valuable Poster Team Colleague Featured Poster
17 Years Ago

People should note that the Windows 7 free ride actually ends on March 1st 2010 when, according to Microsoft itself:

"Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010."

Member Avatar for dippydido
dippydido 0 Newbie Poster
16 Years Ago

so wher do i go to download windows7 for free until june 2010 im on windows xp

Member Avatar for caperjack
caperjack 875 I hate 20 Questions Team Colleague
16 Years Ago

win7 is offically realsed now so the win7 RC is no longer avabile for download .

Member Avatar for philetus
philetus 0 Newbie Poster
16 Years Ago

Windows 7 "Vista Fix" upgrade $119.00
Snow Leopard $29.95
Sometimes it's good to be a Mac fan

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