I recently downloaded the x86 Windows 7 Beta via Microsoft Technet together with the Windows 7 Beta Release Notes and the Update for Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) presented in the MSU format (so it may need expanding to see what it contains).

An x64 version is also available together with appropriate Checked Build versions (versions containing extra code for debugging purposes). At just under 2.5GB for the main download it took a while to come through taking over 6 hours (it looks like site might be busy – I wonder why!?), but it will be interesting to see what Windows 7 has to offer before the media hype kicks in.

According to the Microsoft Press Release the public beta commences on 9th January 2008. Attached is the opening Keynote address from CES 2009.

Further Windows 7 Reading

• Windows 7 Snippets from PDC 2008
• Windows 7: Windows 7 Beta Available as Free Download on Friday
• Review: Windows 7 Beta 1 shows off new task bar, more UI goodies
• Information on Downloading and Installing Windows 7 Beta
• Ces 2009: Windows 7 Beta Now Available
• Windows 7: PC Buyers May Get Windows 7 Free after July
• Microsoft To Let Consumers Test Windows 7 On Friday
• Windows 7 News
• Ballmer touts Windows 7 beta, new deals
• Asus debuts S121 netbook with Windows 7 and 512GB SSD
• Windows 7 Beta: Should You Try It?
• Windows 7: Linux Killer, Or Windows Killer?
• Seven Things Windows 7 Needs To Accomplish