Windows 7 Beta 1 - Download Instructions

Microsoft released it's public beta of the newest operating system in it's lineup, Windows 7 Beta 1. But before you go ahead downloading it you might want to check a few things first. The Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date. You won’t be able to upgrade from the Beta to the final retail version of Windows 7.

Like its older brother Vista, Windows 7 requires a recent set of hardware to properly run the way its meant to. Check and make sure your system meets the recommended requirements as follows:

Hardware requirements


1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit CPU with a minimum of 1 GB of system memory. You will need 16 GB of available disk space to install Windows 7. A DirectX 9 or 10 graphics card with 128 MB memory (to enable Aero) and a DVD-R/W Drive. dont forget you will need to have internet access afterwards to download the latest updates for it.

Once you have verified you are capable of running it, go here to download the beta which is available in 2 flavours the 32 or 64 bit . If you have 4GB of RAM or higher it is recommended to use the 64 bit version so you can utilize the memory to the fullest. After submitting a Live ID and answers to informational questions from Microsoft, you’ll be taken to a download page with a product key.

Direct download links to the ISO 32-bit image file or 64-bit image file.

If you are new to installing a beta , it is recommended that you have your drive partitioned first if you are going to dual boot with a previous OS like windows XP on the same PC and make windows 7 your secondary OS. If your only installing Windows 7 stand alone then it will be your primary OS and you dont really need to partition your drive. A free utility I have used in Ubuntu Linux which works with Windows OS's also is the GParted Live CD, which you burn to a CD, restart, boot from it and partition your drive preparing it before you install windows 7.

Quick overview on the installation
  1. The easiest way to install Windows 7 on your system is to download the image file make a disc by burning the image to a DVD. The Windows 7 Beta download is an ISO file, which you’ll need to burn onto a blank disc before you can install it. To do that, you’ll need to use software designed for burning ISO files. In addition to commercial ISO burning software, there are free programs such as ISOBuster. I use Nero Burning software.
  2. Boot from the DVD you made of Windows 7 and follow the setup wizard. You can also upgrade from Vista SP1 to Windows 7 Beta 1 if you dont mind the change. I prefer doing a clean install always of an OS and if you dont want to lose your existing OS then add a separate partition and install the new OS on a separate area of your hard drive.
  3. Once the installation is completed, review the state of the Windows 7 installation by testing your hardware and getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and protect your computer against security threats.
Good luck and enjoy!