Microsoft offers Windows 7 beta for download

By Ina Fried on 12 January 2009, 9:00am

Microsoft has made the code available for the Windows 7 beta.

There was no posting on the Windows 7 blog, but, when we went to the Windows 7 page on Saturday morning, we found the following message and were directed to a beta-download site.

"The Windows 7 beta is now available for download," Microsoft said on its Web site. "Thanks for your interest and help with the beta."

The software was supposed to be made available on Friday, but the company delayed the release after a day plagued by Web site problems.

Microsoft offered up some recommended specs for the beta, but cautioned that those could change for the final release. Microsoft called for a 1GHz processor (either 32-bit or 64-bit), 1GB of system memory, 16GB of disk space, and support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128MB memory, as well as a DVD burner and Internet access.

The software maker also warned that users should have some technical skills, such as the ability to "burn an ISO file to make an install DVD". Microsoft also said users should know how to install Windows and set up a network.

Furthermore, the company cautioned that the beta is not at the quality level that would be expected from a final release: "It can be glitchy -- so don't use a PC you need every day."