Use Windows 7 RC for a year

When Microsoft makes the already-leaked release candidate for Windows 7 available for everyone next Tuesday, May 5th, they're giving the software away for a year. Its expiration date is June 1, 2010, so you can play with the shiny, smooth, all-fixed, wonderful operating system from Microsoft for almost 13 months before you have to pony up. The real, shipping version will be available toward the end of this year (it could ship as early as October 23), but that pre-shipping test "release candidate" works so well, why buy the final version?

The stickier question is, how will all of us feel about paying for Windows 7 after using it free for more than a year? Studies show that it feels great to have something given to you for free, but it hurts a whole lot more (and it's a whole lot more memorable), when something is taken away from you. But then, Microsoft is probably willing to risk this conundrum, desperately wanting to shed the negative PR juju it built up with Vista.

If you've been testing out some of the various beta builds up until now, Microsoft recommends that you start from scratch with this release candidate, also known as build a 7100. However, if you don't feel like redoing everything on your PC, there is a workaround, and it's as easy as changing one number in one file, and then you can upgrade to the release candidate.

Don’t forget you can start downloading it tomorrow.

[Dvice via PC Pro]

Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate Ready To Download

For anyone who is ready to check this out, Windows XP SP3 release candidate is now available for you to download. The file is almost as large as Windows Vista SP1 RC, and hopefully the install is more straight forward than Vista's was. Just remember that this is a release candidate and not the final, which is due out sometime during the first quarter of 2008.

[PC World via Engadget]

Still on XP? Try Release Candidate 3

Ok, I don't want to explain the obvious to geeks "in the know"; but some folks might not be aware of what a Release Candidate is. A release candidate is software that is done with Beta Testing. The release candidate may in fact be the final code to be released. it ususally availible to everyone; and occasionally they may put out a second release candidate if a situation arises. Bugs should be OUT of the code having been Beta tested by this time. Usually the only thing that might change between the first or second release candidates is a feature set.
Ok, now that that's out of the way; Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP is FINALLY out as a Release Candidate (RC). What does this mean? You can download SP3 and install it to your XP PC and it will not only have all the bug fixes and features added since SP2; but it will have new features as well. SP2 has been one of the most stable points in any Operating System's life. But it's long in the tooth now.
Many folks out there who have heard horror stories about Vista are not willing to jump to that new platform. These folk are the people targeted to use SP3 for Windows XP. It's from Microsoft, and it doesn't cost a dime. It is particularly useful for folks who want to install/reinstall their XP system. By downloading and installing SP3, you save all the time you would spend having to individually update every little bug fix, new feature put out over the last few years for XP. It's all rolled into SP3.
I will close by saying that this is not a word of caution. By the time a product is at RC1 level; it should be completely stable. If you choose to install SP3 (RC1); you will not lose any feature or program. Soon (January or February) the FINAL SP3 will be released and you can update you RC version to the FINAL version painlessly.

Typically RC's are installed by Geeks who want to taste the future before the masses. I happen to be one of those. (and PROUDLY!) ZDNet's Mary Joe Foley tells you all you need to know and gives you links to download and install SP3 (RC1) right here.

Have fun!!!