Windows 7 beta deadline extended into February

Posted by Al Warmington on Mon 26 Jan 2009

Has Microsoft failed to reach 2.5m download target?

Haven’t got your mitts on the Windows 7 beta yet? Don’t worry – despite the January 24^th deadline passing, Microsoft has extended the deadline to February 10^th to anyone who hasn’t yet had the chance to try it out.

Critics have already been impressed by Microsoft’s latest upcoming operating system and its attempts to rectify some of the mistakes in Windows Vista. Now Microsoft claims that “Because enthusiasm continues to be so high for the Windows 7 Beta and we don't want anyone to miss out, we will keep the beta downloads open."

But is the extension of the deadline really down to overwhelming demand, or something quite the opposite? TechRadar observes that had demand reached Microsoft’s original target, then there wouldn’t really have been any need to extend the download deadline further.

In related news, leaks claiming to be from a more recent Windows 7 beta build suggest that Microsoft may be gunning for multiple versions of its new OS – a strategy that wasn’t particularly welcome in Vista. A new screenshot appears to confirm that there will be Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate versions of the next operating system. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to find Microsoft repeating this strategy, but there’s an equally strong possibility that this is a hoax too, so season this rumour with your usual amount of scepticism salt.

Anyone who still wants to get a look at the Windows 7 beta now has until February 10^th to start downloading, and until February 12^th to finish it off.

Link: Microsoft (via TechRadar and Engadget)