Microsoft Releases 90-Day Trial Of Windows 7 Enterprise RTM

am i banned?

unf0cused

Does anyone know when the RC version will expire? I hate to upgrade in lieu of a clean install, but I feel pretty lazy, and have a few games that I have not finished yet....how is the migration process from the release candidate to RTM?

unf0cused

@unruled: I did as well (Pro version from MSDN-AA). Just did not have the time to install yet. Hopefully this weekend...

nhcotrim

@UnMicD: Yeah, I think at the end of the day, the contents of your uni's MSDN-AA site depends on your university and it's contract with microsoft, but I would imagine most people will get it :)

unruled

Thank you Microsoft for giving a chance to everyone who didn't get a glimpse at the beta or the RC (me included) to take this baby for a spin. Downloaded, installed and currently trying it out. I've tried many different operating systems out (debian, ubuntu, openSUSE, fedora, freeBSD, xp, vista and whatnot) but like WIN7 the most...for now...

Is there any reason I'd want to move to this from the RC? I preordered during the promotion, so expiration date is of no concern.

XanderCrews

@SpudDude: No, just one, but it can only take one of the boats at a time, and to use the other you have to bring one ashore.

Does a "dual BOAT" take two trailers to haul to the lake?

SpudDude

is anyone else with the rc really annoyed with the little tag on bottom right hand corner of the desktop that says "windows 7 evaluation copy" and build number?

cinejoe

@bjcbjc: It kinda sounds like Windows ME. :-)

SpudDude

@DJShamrock: Huh?

SpudDude

My Windows 7 RTM was going to run out tomorrow. This is better thanUncle touchy's naked puzzle basement with free pinchy clamp giveaway night! This has to be karma!

@unruled: Cool. A few people were wondering when they'd get with MSDN-AA when the RTM rolled out to TechNet and MSDN subscribers.

Yes, Media Center is included
Enterprise = Ultimate
Ultimate is sold through retail and OEM.
Enterprise is sold via Microsoft Software Assurance corporate licensing.

You will have to do a clean install after this expires.

jeffk

@PsychoticLad: Vista was not windows ME 2, that will be in about 991 years.

@Philip Marquis:

Sure. Regardless of the numerous ways around it, though, it seems insane to be upset about the fact that an evaluation copy doesn't provide full, unlimited functionality.

"I downloaded this game demo, and it only let me play for twenty minutes! I'm outraged!"

"A lady at the supermarket was handing out free samples of microwave pretzels and she wouldn't give me a whole bag of them! This is an injustice!"

"I tried to test drive a car and the salesman wouldn't let me take it home and drive it for the next ten years! I'm calling the BBB!"

lanes

@tylerf: The typical consumer can't purchase Enterprise. Enterprise is for Volume Licensing and Software Assurance customers only.

This trial is only for those companies who don't yet have access to those two resources - when they get a volume license agreement, all they have to do is activate their MAK (multiple-access key) and the copy unlocks.

The OS will, after 90 days, shut down every hour.

After the 90-day Trial expires, if you wish to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise, please note that you will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications. Please keep this in mind; Windows 7 Enterprise is not available through retail channels.

dragon:ONE

@AliShaikh: ... no?

unruled

@SJRNWT:

March 1st, 2010.

lanes

This is actually very smart marketing for Windows 7 in my opinion. They kind of have to after the Vista (Windows ME 2 in my opinion) wars heating up. People need to understand though that this is a trial and not necessarily a replacement for their current desktop like some are thinking. I will prob throw money down and buy the blasted product due to my testing. Hey, maybe they will fix the updates issue vista had with some. *beep* do I hate that freaken 57E error.

Yes, And can't you rearm?
Isn't that allowed like 3 times? 270 days worth of windows 7 is alot more then i tend to go with any OS

fleebailey33

@orellius: read before you download?! who would do such a thing?

@orellius: Ah! I didn't think of that. In this case, it'll have to wait till later.
I'm running Ubuntu right now.

Thanks!

Amarus

@tylerf: It clearly states what will happen after 90 days BEFORE you even download it. So someone that does this isnt very smart are they, so why should Microsoft even care? If you read before you download you won't run into that issue...

orellius

Clever Microsoft. People use Enterprise, realise they can't use it anymore after 90days, by then chances are you've built up quite a lot of files and applications which you wouldn't want to bother with the whole reinstalling, so you buy enterprise edition for more money and upgrade.

tylerf

@Amarus: try it in internet explorer, it wouldn't work for me in Firefox. Hooray for IE Tab! The download is fast too, capped my connection at almsot 15 Mb/s (1.8 MB/s).

orellius

K I have a question for you guys...

I'm using the Windows 7 version that was release after build 7000... I think it was out in May or June...

My question is, when will it expire? I've yet to receive any notification from the OS reminding me to upgrade or anything like that.

It's just that there's so many goddamn releases of the same thing with minor differences, and I don't feel like reinstalling the OS and having the customize everything again.

Ugh... I gotta unsubscribe from that MSDN bullshit

SJRNWT

does enterprise have media center?

this is for my htpc i am running teh RC right now.

if i install this can i just enter an activation code i buy or do i need to do a new install?

i dont want to have to resetup the tv channels if i run the rtm, as it is a PITA.

mike_311

@unruled: Anyone can get that for $20.

AliShaikh

@lanes: yu can just find a FREE PEN kms server and it will be able to be activated over and over agian

Philip Marquis

@planetarian: umm ent has unlimated installs till the end of time..
also you can activate via a FREE PEN kms server in Russia there are a few around the world
so you just need this and a free kms and you have windows 7 as long as you like

should be mentioned pro can be kms activated

Philip Marquis

@bjcbjc:

What would you rather it do, keep functioning just like the full version forever and ever?

Something tells me there wouldn't be a whole lot of money to be made that way.

lanes

@planetarian: The only reason im sticking with ultimate is because its only a 3-day old install and im still settling in.

Dilpickle1

Lets' give it a try I wonder if it will work on my 2G intel centrino laptop. If it does, I will consider installing it permanently.

@Sam Glover: Go for it. Cut out a partition for 7 and install 7 on the partition. I did this at work since they won't support anything above XP but I still wanted to test the software we use on Win7.

JerryA

"The 90-day Trial will shut down once every hour when you have reached the end of the 90-day evaluation period"

Sounds real useful.

bjcbjc

Nah, RC is working fine for me until I pick up a copy at the launch event. Later on I'll wait for the Family Pack or OEM boxes at newegg to buy it for the rest of my machines.

JerryA

I'm happy to say that I found Windows 7 Professional (retail) on my universities Academic Alliance page (MSDN-AA). Installed it the other day, been happy with it after 5 months of beta and RC.

unruled

@mrw123: yes the popular Catamaran Install.....

KhaiJB

@Dilpickle1: Smart move, considering Ultimate and Enterprise are the exact same thing.

I want to dual boat Windows 7 and XP.

Is it my connection or is the download page loading indefinitely for anyone else?

Amarus

Ill stick with RTM Ultimate

Dilpickle1

open free KMS here i come
also orbit30 is gunna be pleased as punch about this :D

Philip Marquis

@cinejoe: I agree; ugly. I've had RC7100 installed since release and am loving it (watermark-free). You can find an easy tweak for this with a Google search.

thepcguy

@bjcbjc: I think you have a skewed idea of what to expect from an evaluation copy. It's useful because most people in 90 days will figure out if they want it or not. If it didn't have restrictions you'd just use it indefinitely.

Josh K.