Test Updates for Windows 7 Beta Users

Starting February 24, we will be releasing up to 5 test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) via Windows Update. These updates allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and manage the updating of Windows 7. We typically verify servicing scenarios during a beta.

Windows 7 Beta users will be notified that new updates are available beginning February 24 through Windows Update. Even if the user has Windows Update configured for automatic update – these test updates will not install automatically. Users will need to manually install the test updates through Windows Update.

These updates do not deliver new features or bug fixes. The test updates simply replace system files with the same version of the file currently on the system.

For more information, please visit the Microsoft Update blog.

Again, thank you for helping test Windows 7. Your feedback is extremely valuable!

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Comments

  1. newscientist2000
    Posted on: February 22, 2009 at 9:58AM  

    Thanks Brandon for the heads up, I will be sure to test out the updating process come Feb 24th.

  2. Bioran
    Posted on: February 22, 2009 at 9:21PM  

    @Photo1921a - I'm interested in knowing why you still want the Windows XP interface? For me, Windows XP is a 7 years old system, with a UI which is outdated and not as usable as Windows Vista's and Windows 7's.

    In case you're not aware, there are many ways to customize Windows Vista. All you need to do is go to a search engine, search for "Windows Vista Visual Styles" and voila! Hundreds of free visual styles for you to apply on for your Vista. You can also try out Stardock's Wincustomize service, which offers even more unique styles.

    Personally, I think Windows Vista and Windows 7 are two superb operating systems, and I congratulate Microsoft on them. It's a shame that the media has so brutally attacked Vista, and I hope Windows 7 will be as popular as Windows XP has been. Good work, MS and the Windows 7 team!

  3. newscientist2000
    Posted on: February 23, 2009 at 12:35AM  

    I can see where "Photo1921a" is comming from, there really is no excluse to limit customizability be it in the browser or the OS.

    To illustrate this I will tell you about my experience yesterday. Although I had no trouble shutting down a Vista computer first time I used it, my wife and her grandmother were perplexed at trying to turn off her new Vista machine because of the new menu interface to turn off the Vista machine.  Yeah they both probably just got too used to XP.

    The point is that little things like that matter, be it UAC, or difficulty shutting down a computer .. they make a difference, especially if they should be really simple functions, then it frustrates you.

    This doesnt make the new UI bad, what it does mean is you either have to allow people the option to go back to old faithfull for that feature or teach them to adapt.

    With the new OS you lack the knowledge to use it, like me and the supebar until I read up on it last week.  At first it drove me nuts because I missed the quicklaunch, now I can see that it works and its simply just the Taskbar and Quicklaunch combined!

    This is why Microsoft Mall Stores are a good idea, people can go into a friendly place see the cool things and learn how to use the new OS.  BestBuy just doesn't cut it, sorry BestBuy but all you want to sell is the hardware not the Windows experience!

    However Windows 7 is a step in the right direction, in many cases its more configurable than both Vista and XP.

    However even though I like Windows 7, some people will find it hard to adapt, so acknowledge that they exsist, and have a strategy to deal with that.

    If the XP Theme isn't in Windows 7 as default, I say make a Windows 7 PowerToy "Tweak Windows 7" and let people do what they want with their machine - Tweak it.

    Alternatively be prepared to teach your customers how to use their machines, be it UAC or the Superbar or System Restore/Recovery!

    For me I vote for customization, it doesn't hurt and if it helps you feel at home, thats a happy customer.

  4. Bioran
    Posted on: February 23, 2009 at 5:36AM  

    I think that another possible function is to include an easily-accessible, easy-to-understand tutorial of some sorts in Windows 7 (perhaps visible links in the "Getting Started" window? Or a recognizable shortcut to it on the Start Menu?), so that novice users can easily open up this tutorial and learn about the OS that way. It would certainly allow a faster understanding of the system, and as a result, a better experience and more positive comments.

    I agree with all the points you posted there, newscientist. Those ideas along with my tutorial idea could elevate the user experience more, especially for those who are just "used to the old stuff" and can't adapt smoothly to the new stuff without creating large amounts of false criticism - something which, unfortunately, plagued Vista quite severely.

    However, I still don't think including an XP theme in Windows 7 would be appropriate. Times have moved on, Windows have improved, and the consumers should learn to understand this new reality and the new things which comes from it. Perhaps like you said, it could be offered as some sort of downloadable PowerToy, but in my opinion, including it with the actual OS itself just doesn't seem like a good move.

  5. Robbie82sc
    Posted on: February 23, 2009 at 8:05AM  

    How can it be hard to shutdown a Pc when it says Shutdown on the main menu... lol... people need to learn to read .. and its basically in the same place as the older version.. Come on People we need better excuses of why this OS sucks more than Xp.. It doesn't thats why you cant come up with anything..

    All I can see is that this OS is going to kick ass because it already does. No crashes no conflicts all software runs on it... Even the CM10401 OLD ass webcam works on it... All the old drivers that Vista wouldnt support runs on it.. My uncle has a old nForce 2 board and the drivers work for it..not in Vista.

    The GUI is amazing and blazing fast.. the boot times are incredible... The Menus and sub systems are of the charts in performance and usability. File copying is faster. The new task bar is the ultimate tool that is finally where it needs to be. The customization and the abilities to add any folder, any program at the tip of my mouse pointer is all good on my end.

    Xp and Vista... Im seraching and searching ... etc... on finding stuff and programs. In 7 all i got to do is right click on icon on my task bar and BAM... instant access..  

    If you got a crap PC upgrade it.. Don't dog a OS cause you cant let go of your 1990's rig...

    Im running it on a E2180 2.0Ghz x2 800mhz, 2GB DDR2, XFX 8400GS 256Mb (soon to be 9800GT 512mb XFX), on a cheap PCChips P17G motherboard Score of 3.4 ... and I can't believe how much it doesnt lag.. I have to say I feel as if my PC was going to the Crappers... but then I loaded this DVD in and installed 7 from Vista HP... and I was amazed that my PC still had the speed and response its suppose to have..

    Plus... Better memory management, Better support, Better OS... So screw the slow old Xp and the Bloated Vista.. I love this OS and im glad MS did it right and let us test it to show that they actually got it right this time and that the days of VISTA are over... Even though I never really had any problems with Vista other than the to many open windows and the ram suck up.. Lucky in 7 it uses the same amount for each windows open and doesn't make things slow down..

    Then again I don't like stuff like this on my pc and im glad its not mandatory to install..

    Thanks MS...

    Also.. Why dont forms ever stay on topic... lol...

  6. SoundForSound
    Posted on: February 23, 2009 at 2:29PM  

    I agree with the other posters.  I do not like the fact that Pictures and Videos are grouped together!  Seems like a choice an engineer made and that's how it has been ever since...  Get some Apple design in Media Center and keep it simple...

  7. WACWAC
    Posted on: February 23, 2009 at 6:47PM  

    I HAVE 4 COMPUTERS RUNNING W7,2 64 BIT, 2 32. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MESS THIS OS, AND HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER OR EXPERIENCED A MORE STABLE PLATFORM. WHEN MY WIFE OR GRANDKIDS CAN JUMP ON A SYSTEM, CONNECT TO A HOMEGROUP AND SHARE FILES THE WAY W7 ALLOWS, I CAN FINALLY SAY MSFT HAS DONE IT RIGHT! IT IS INTUITIVE, FUN, AND EASY.

  8. TomTiddler
    Posted on: February 23, 2009 at 10:43PM  

    Not sure where to add this comment, so I chose the main Win 7 blog. I'm actually one of those users that (so far) loves this new Windows. Of course, I also thought Vista was a good step forward. However (isn't there always a But, or However?), I have to take issue with the currently supllied version of Windows Media Player.

    I have taken great pains to define the library settings (which, confusingly are not only separate from Windows Explorers "libraries" even though they share names and structure) for WMP, specifically, I have set it up so that each of the libraries contains only 1 folder, and that folder has NO files. This is because I do not want WMP to be messing with, or even aware of, my rather large picture collection and music collection. No matter what I do though, when WMP starts up, it immediately consumes almost all of my Quad core CPU cycles scanning the My Pictures folder for the logged in user. WMP itself has Not Responding status during the several minutes (yes MINUTES!) this takes, and of course the rest of the machine is sluggish as well. This is totally unacceptable behavior. Can anyone give me assurances that this is actually a bug and not a design feature?

  9. Bioran
    Posted on: February 24, 2009 at 4:37AM  

    @TomTiddler - I'd say it's just a bug, as WMP 12 doesn't appear to be absolutely finalized yet. It's true for me also that certain actions in WMP 12 takes a relatively long period of time or just end up not being processed.

    It'd most likely be improved and fixed in later releases, though.

  10. chitbill
    Posted on: February 24, 2009 at 10:55AM  

    Installing updates can be risky anyhow, but This latest version of indows should be more forgiving. Backups and system restores cannot compete with a pale blue screen saying "this copy of windows is not genuine". This is my fourth reinstall, my naive little hand has been burned that many times. Painless sure, but think of all your corporate friends who also track how many times their software has been installed.

      Here's a thought, make the first reboot after an update tentative and subject to final aproval. Less of a Bitter pill to swallow (less feeling like a masochist for having to call India/Philippines to politely beg for one more reinstall of Application software.

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  1. Posted by: Update testing on 24th - Windows 7 Forums on February 19, 2009 at 10:55PM

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  31. Posted by: Syber News » Fake Windows 7 Updates Coming Next Week, But From Microsoft on February 21, 2009 at 1:57AM

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  39. Posted by: Microsoft to Test Windows 7 Update Tool | TechnoBlog on February 22, 2009 at 10:19AM

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  40. Posted by: WinGeek.com on February 22, 2009 at 4:12PM

    Brandon over at the Windows Team Blog has posted a notice about upcoming test updates that all Windows 7 Beta users...

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