Microsoft Extends Windows 7 Beta Availability (Again) To Feb 12

Despite having “more than enough beta testers and feedback,” the Windows 7 team is extending the availability of the free preview download through Feb. 12, with two firm deadlines. Here’s the breakdown:

Both the 2.4GB downloads and the activation keys are still available, but are limited now, as today is the last day of the no-limit downloading Microsoft enacted after the first day went a little bit haywire. If you grabbed a key but not the download, or the other way around, here’s the dates you should mark down:

• New ISO dowloads not available after Feb. 10: But those who “already started their Windows 7 Beta download and have not yet finished will still be able to finish their download and are encouraged to do so,” according to the Windows 7 team. We’re assuming that means those with registration keys can jump in and grab their file, but registration keys will stop being available after this day.
• All downloads stop after Feb. 12: Even if you’ve got a key handy, Microsoft will not be providing the ISOs for download. You’ll have to look to BitTorrent or other file-swapping locations; from what we’ve seen, registration keys work on non-official “M1″ betas.

Inspired by the deadlines to jump on the beta bandwagon? Don’t give up your working system, which might be all you have left after the Win7 beta expires on Aug. 1. Instead, check our guides to installing the beta as a dual-boot with XP or Vista, on a Mac with Boot Camp, or alongside Linux.