Microsoft shuts off Windows 7 beta downloads
InfoWorld | at | by Mike
Microsoft has shut off the Windows 7 beta spigot, but will allow users who have started the download process to wrap it up by Thursday.
People who began to download the massive disk image file -- 2.44GB for the 32-bit version, 3.15GB for the 64-bit -- before Tuesday have until noon Thursday to complete the process, and activation keys will be available indefinitely, LeBlanc reiterated Monday.
The deadlines do not apply to subscribers to the TechNet and Microsoft Developer Network services. Those users, typically IT professionals and developers, will continue to have access to the beta. Microsoft has not said when it will offer an updated build of Windows 7 to the public, although the head of Windows development has announced that the company will move directly from the beta to a "release candidate" milestone.