Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 will be ready by holiday 2009

At Microsoft TechEd North America 2009, Microsoft today announced that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will both be available to customers in time for the holiday shopping season. Previously, Microsoft's official stance was that Windows 7 would be available no later than three years after the general availability of Windows Vista, meaning January 30, 2010. Based on the steady development of the OS though, many have predicted that Windows 7 would arrive earlier. Windows Server 2008 R2 was expected to arrive sometime after Windows 7, but now Microsoft has noted that the server OS will actually arrive in the same timeframe as its client counterpart. The Release Candidate builds for both operating systems went public last week.
Full Story: Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 will be ready by holiday 2009 - Ars Technica
 
IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT BETA EXPIRATION DATE

Thanks again for your help in testing the Windows 7 Beta.

We’re sending this mail to remind you that Windows 7 Release candidate is available and to make sure you plan ahead for when the Beta expires on August 1, 2009. On June 1, 2009, the PC you’re using to test the Beta will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will send you a notice a couple of weeks in advance, and that’d be the ideal time to rebuild your test PC with a non-expired version of Windows, such as the RC or Windows Vista. This will be a clean installation, so be ready to reinstall your programs and data. (Learn more about installing Windows.)

So, if you haven’t already done so, we highly recommend that you download and install the RC from one of the following sites today:

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IMPORTANT: If you are running Windows 7 Beta you’ll need to back up your data (preferably on an external device) and then do a clean install of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. After installing Windows 7, you will need to reinstall applications and restore your files. If you need help with the installation process, please see the Installation Instructions.

If you have questions or need help installing the RC, you can get help with your Windows 7 questions at http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

There’s another expiration date you need to keep in mind: Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010, and you’ll need to either upgrade to the final release of Windows 7 or a prior version of Windows before then. (We‘ll send you another reminder as this date approaches.)

Thanks again for your interest in Windows 7 and for your help in finishing this product!





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