Last chance for Windows 7 RC downloads

Users have just one day left in which to get their hands on the Windows 7 RC for free.

The full version of Windows 7 will be released on 22 October this year, with Microsoft claiming it contains lots of refinements based on user feedback.

“Just a reminder that you have until this Thursday, August 20th 2009 to download the Windows 7 Release Candidate,” Stephen L Rose wrote on the Windows Team blog.

“After that date, you will still be able to register your product and get registration keys but, the media will no longer be available for download. If you have not downloaded the Release Candidate, please do so here.”

Once users have downloaded the free software, it won’t last forever. It will expire next June, with an enforced shutdown every two hours kicking in from March.

"Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start," Microsoft warns on its download site. "To avoid interruption, you’ll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You’ll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use."

Click here to see our review of the features included in Windows 7 RTM.

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