Windows 7 free ride over on August 20

Bangalore: August 20th is the last date to download the "release candidate" version of Windows 7, after which its free downloading will be discontinued. Microsoft, which has been providing free, unlimited downloads of the candidate version till now, plans to put Windows 7 on sale in about two months, reports CNET News.

This is a last chance for users who have failed to upgrade from Beta Build 7000 to the RC Build 7100 bits. Microsoft's announcement to halt the download of Windows 7 RC came during the second half of June 2008.

Windows Communications Manager, Brandon LeBlanc said in a blog posting this week, "After that date, you will still be able to register your product and get registration keys, but the media will no longer be available for download."

However the release candidate will only work through early next year. On June 1st, the software will entirely expire and, starting March 1st, it will begin shutting down every two hours to remind users that the end is near.
A move from the release candidate to the final version requires a clean installation of the operating system, meaning backing up one's data, reinstalling Windows 7, and then restoring the data and reinstalling any applications.