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What happens when Windows 7 RC expires
Some people may have been a little surprised that Microsoft was willing to give away Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate – a final test version) but, like the proverbial free lunch, there is a catch. After August 1 2010, this version will expire.
But it’s unlikely anyone will want to use it after March because from March 1 2010 it will automatically reboot every two hours. It will also be marked as non genuine with warnings and a black background.
Best enjoy it while it lasts then.






Yep, that really suprised me how Microsoft can give away something like that for free. Now I see why, thanks for posting this.
posted-by Linda Gutierrez | May 7, 2009 2:50 PM
Linda, did you really not know that the evaluation copy was only useable for a limited time..??
Tim, as 7 RC is fully useable for about 9 months, that seems a pretty good free lunch for me. But there again perhaps journalists have longer lunches than I do..?? LOL!
posted-by David Elliott | May 7, 2009 8:07 PM
>perhaps journalists have longer lunches than I do..?? LOL!
It's been very quiet on that front recently - that's the credit crunch for you
posted-by Tim Smith | May 8, 2009 9:43 AM
Yes, it would be very interesting :) Thanks for sharing :)
posted-by Klik Bca | May 12, 2009 10:43 PM
I must confess that I was unaware of the time constraint too. Additionally, I am not real happy about it, but I suppose it is my own stupidity.
posted-by Douglas Diner | May 15, 2009 7:42 AM
Douglas Diner, Unhappy about free stuff? lol what
posted-by Bryan Carl | May 24, 2009 11:07 PM
You say Windows 7RC is a free download but it isn't. You have to subscribe £234 to tecnet to be able to get it??!!
posted-by Bob Veitch | May 30, 2009 11:42 AM
you fool bob. u can download it for free from ms website. Seems like technet is scamming u or u have gotten really confused. dont talk about stuff you don't know.
posted-by random | June 7, 2009 1:16 AM
I knew it would expire, but didnt know when. Thanks for the info.
posted-by David Insley | June 30, 2009 11:07 PM
Does anyone has a way to cheat this expirey period. Please help. I have one trick but its not permanent. im doing it every now and then.
posted-by Godfrey | July 1, 2009 6:52 PM
Well i have windows 7 RC for a while and for some reason it expires on july 1 instead of wait until 2010, but i dont know why it did that i used a windows 7 RC key and Installer
posted-by Jose | July 21, 2009 3:21 AM
Ha, I knew it would expire. My mom preordered it from microsoft so she'll get it right when it comes out. No worries for me.
posted-by Ryan | August 3, 2009 4:55 AM
when you check the 'slmgr' it says the license is permanent, but further says that the evaluation copy expires in June 2010.Does anyone know what to do to make it permanant without expiring?
posted-by Mwape Daka | November 6, 2009 9:42 AM
Wow, such ignorance...
It's called an evaluation copy, people. Windows does this every time they release a new OS -- not sure why this comes as such a surprise? The eval is good until MARCH 1, 2010, and yes, you can "make it permanent(?)" by purchasing a f***ing license! Such idiocy....
posted-by Concerned | November 9, 2009 3:36 PM
I wish I haven removed my XP
posted-by Concerned | February 16, 2010 10:07 AM
Yep Mwape Daka were not all as bright ( or foul mouthed luckly ) as you are i also messed up on the install lost my vista that was pretty crap as well. there is another operating system that i am told runs well and no where as glitchy as vist this is link to the site .http://www.linux.co.uk/
i really hope to avoid microsoft even if it means getting an apple on hp.
posted-by pete | February 21, 2010 6:23 PM
hey i have a question..after the expiration can we uninstall windows 7 (built 7201) and install XP or Vista?
or will there be any problems?
posted-by Ali | February 26, 2010 11:34 AM
hey Ali, i dont think there will be any problems. I actually did so even before it expired and i'm now using the cracked version(full) which will never expire and i have no probs....
posted-by Mwape Daka | May 17, 2010 12:37 PM
WOW Mwape Daka
Keep your hair on there mate. Its only a forum and if you can't say it politely then don't say it at all. Something tells me you're one of them people who doesn't get out enough. hahahahaha.
posted-by the ? mark | June 16, 2010 7:18 PM