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Windows 7 Beta Public Preview
Windows XP and Windows Vista

Windows 7 Beta Public Preview is now available. That means that some of you will be anxious to try it. And, we understand that you're curious, it's human nature. It can be a catastrophe or a very valuable learning experience. We're hoping to make it the latter. We could tell you not to do it, but some of you are going to install this Beta anyway - so we're going to try to help.

Before you jump in and install Windows 7 on your primary computer there are some important things to know.

1. 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.

2. If you install Windows 7 Beta on your current computer, you will be "upgrading" your current Windows. If you do this, you will never be able to revert back to your previous version of Windows. You will have to reinstall your old version of Windows to go back to it. You be NOT be able to upgrade Windows 7 Beta to the final version of Windows 7. In other words, you stand a good chance of losing lots of stuff.

3. Our advice is - don't install Windows 7 Beta on your primary computer. If you have only one computer, a fair amount of computer skill, a few hours of time, and a large hard drive, you can safely install Windows 7 in a dual boot configuration.

Oh, you don't know how to install Windows 7 Beta in a dual-boot configuration? Don't worry, it's not that hard, but it will take a couple hours to do. If you're really curious about Windows 7, only have one computer, and don't want to risk your current operating system or take a chance of wiping out all your data and important files, then a dual-boot installation may be just the ticket for you.

If you think you'd like to try dual-booting Windows XP or Windows Vista and Windows 7, it can be a good learning experience for you - as well as give you a chance to get your hands on Windows 7 and see what it's like.

But first, some fundamentals you'll need to know:

The following is from the Windows 7 Beta Public Preview Web site:

"Microsoft isn’t providing technical support for the Beta and isn’t responsible for business-related downtime. Don’t install the Beta on your primary home or work computer. When the Beta expires on August 1, 2009, you’ll need to reinstall a released version of Windows to keep using your computer. (See Installation Instructions.)

These are the Microsoft minimum hardware recommendations for systems that will be running the Windows 7 Beta. These recommendations are specific to the beta release and are subject to change:

• Processor: 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
• Memory:  1 GB of system memory
• Hard drive: 16 GB of available disk space
• Video card:  Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
• Drive: DVD-R/W drive
• Internet connection (to download the Beta and get updates)

Note: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of “touch”, may require advanced or additional hardware. "

You're also going to need a really, really fast Internet connection. This Beta is 2.2 GB (That's Gigabytes - 2,200 MB).

If you have a fast connection and your computer meets all the requirements above - and you understand the risks involved - you're ready to go. We strongly recommend you use the dual-boot configuration if you're really wanting to test Windows 7. You won't lose any data, your current Windows will be untouched and you'll have a choice of booting into your current version of Windows or Windows 7 when you start your computer. You can set your current Windows as default so that if you start your computer and don't select Windows 7 your computer will automatically boot into your current version.

There are many good tutorials on the Web that will teach you step-by-step how to install Windows 7 in a dual-boot configuration with Windows XP or Windows Vista. The best one we've seen is this one. This tutorial is simple, easy-to-understand and it works well. But you can't skip steps or miss one. Follow the instructions, step-by-step and you'll be testing Windows 7 in no time - and without taking a chance with your current Windows or losing any important data.

Now where can you download Windows 7 Beta?  You can download it from this page. But first you'll have to enter your Hotmail or "Live" account. If you don't have one you can get one free. In any case, if you want the official beta, you'll need to either have one of these accounts or get one. Just so you know.

Please be sure you read the download instructions before you download the file. You'll need to burn the downloaded ISO file to DVD. Instructions are provided.

Honestly, if you can pull off a dual-boot, you'll learn a lot and you'll be so proud of yourself - really. It's a learning experience and very handy trick to learn. If you learn it you can triple-boot Linux and two different versions of Windows for example. You'll be the envy of those youngsters who though you were old and didn't know computers. You'll be a geek! Think of it!