Microsoft picked a winning strategy when it decided to offer the Windows 7 Release Candidate free of charge, along with a one-year usage license. To date, millions of users have downloaded the free update, and some analysts estimate that it now accounts for about one percent of all installed operating systems.

Know What You’re Getting Before You Install Windows 7 RC

The freebie isn’t without some issues, however. If you want to install Windows 7 RC, you’ll need to give up the operating system you have. Installing the release candidate isn’t a matter of installing it on top of whatever you’re running. The required “fresh” installation of Windows 7 RC means that you’ll lose all of your applications and settings.

You’ll need to reinstall everything once you’ve got the new OS loaded.
Microsoft also says that there will be no “upgrade” from the release candidate to the actual release, meaning that you’ll have to do another install. Windows 7 RC has other potentially irritating “features” you’ll want to be aware of. The release candidate license expires on June 1, 2010, and when Microsoft says “expires” it means “expires.” Your system will no longer boot on the release candidate after that point, and you’ll need to upgrade or revert to a licensed version of the OS.

Beginning on March 1, 2010, installed versions of the Windows 7 release candidates will start to reboot every two hours. By itself, this will be a tremendous nuisance, but it should also assure you that Microsoft plans to have a fully operational version of Windows 7 on the market by that time. If you plan to purchase the actual licensed version of Windows 7, this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you were planning to use the freebie release for a long time, think again.

For the most part, you should be able to use Vista drivers with Windows 7 RC. Windows 7 is built on Vista, so there should be a high degree of compatibility between the release candidate and the final version. Don’t expect manufacturers to release much in the way of drivers prior to the actual release, but rest assured, they’re working on any updates that need to be made to enable their products to work on Windows 7.

If you’re concerned about the Windows 7-readiness of your computer, check out the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, preferably before you download the release candidate. The Upgrade Advisor will let you know exactly what you need to do to your computer to get it ready for the Windows 7 product. Microsoft hasn’t yet announced a firm release date, but many analysts believe that the fourth quarter of 2009 is a good bet, and Windows 7 on store shelves in time for the Christmas holiday almost a sure thing.

Photo Credit: Raul P.