Jan 9th Update – These are the direct download links from download.microsoft.com ( courtesy neowin ) -

Download: Windows 7 x86 (32bit) and x64 (64 bit). These were working at 2:10 pm. Don’t know where to get the keys from. Microsoft was overwhelmed by traffic and delayed downloads. These links still work though.

Just jump to the end of this post if you just want to download Windows 7 Beta 1. I’m a little ticked off by two stupid decisions that Microsoft has made regarding Windows 7 Beta distribution -

1. Making normal users wait to get Windows 7 two days after TechNet + MSDN members and PDC attendees.
2. Making an arbitrary – sometime on the afternoon of the 9th, and only the first 2.5 million people who register will get activation keys nonsense.

Yeah – way to go to make it easy for people who want to beta test your product and provide you valuable feedback. First, put all these restrictions and limitations and then have everyone have to burn a DVD.

I actually bought a HP TouchSmart PC – just to try out Windows 7 Beta. And now you’re telling me I have to wait 2 days, and get in some sort of online lottery – this is nonsense.

So I’m listing all your options to get the Windows 7 Beta 1 -

1. Wait till tomorrow (the 9th) and get the official registration done and get an activation key. The windows 7 Beta download site.
2. If you miss the 2.5 million activation keys, then you can still download the ISO for Windows 7 and try out the trial for 120 days using this hack courtesy My Digital Life.
3. If you can’t wait, you can find the iso dvd on bittorrent. Be sure to check the MD5 SHA1 hash to ensure a valid copy. And My Digital Life has the information on where the torrents are. Details on that hash are -
   

   Windows 7 Beta (x64) – DVD (English)
   File Name: en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x64_x15-29074.iso
   Date Posted (UTC): 12/30/2008 4:26:48 PM
   SHA1: E09FDBC1CB3A92CF6CC872040FDAF65553AB62A5
   ISO/CRC: 8E2FAD39

   Windows 7 Beta (x86) – DVD (English)
   File Name: en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x86_x15-29073.iso
   Date Posted (UTC): 12/22/2008 2:41:15 PM
   SHA1: 6071184282B2156FF61CDC5260545C078CCA31EE
   ISO/CRC: AABA5A48

Technorati Tags: windows 7, windows 7 beta

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Filed under: Windows 7 Downloads