Windows 7 Release Candidate is Here! The RC signifies that engineering and testing have made significant progress, and that the code is entering the final phases of testing. Some of the enhancements between Beta and RC, including the following:

  • Easier, more intuitive navigation through JumpLists, desktop enhancements and improved search relevance
  • Improved Windows taskbar scaling
  • Improved driver support and management, as well as Device Stage to help manage devices
  • Windows Touch updates and Touch Zoom
  • More Aero® themes
  • Improved security and enhancements to User Access Control (UAC)
  • Reducing the Windows 7 partition drive size (required for BitLockerTM and Windows Recovery Environment) from 200 megabytes to 100 megabytes

 

Windows 7 RC Availability

MSDN and TechNet subscribers can download Windows 7 RC as of April 30th. On May 5th, Windows 7 RC will be available to the general public through the Customer Preview Program. Anyone can download the RC build through this program. There will be no limits on the number of keys provided or the number of Windows 7 downloads supported. RC downloads will be available at least through June 2009.

Download Windows 7 RC from the site that best describes you in the table below. Each of these sites contains customized content to support the needs of a particular audience.

If you are a …

Download Windows 7 RC at …
  • IT Professional

Tech Net
  • Enterprise or Business User

Windows.com
  • Consumer or Home User

Windows.com
  • Microsoft Partner

MSPP
  • Developer

MSDN

For everyone running a Beta version of Windows 7, it is important to migrate to Windows 7 RC to avoid the timebomb that is built into Windows 7 Beta. That timebomb will activate on 7/1/2009. When the timebomb activates, users will experience frequent notifications and forced reboots. (Windows 7 RC also has a built-in timebomb, but this will not activate until 3/1/2010.)