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Windows 7 Release Candidate

Sorry, Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) downloads are no longer available.

Existing MSDN subscribers, download the Windows 7 software.
Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about MSDN subscriptions.

Windows 7 is now available. Get ready!

Windows 7 is the latest release of the Windows client operating system, built on the secure foundation of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Performance, reliability, security, and compatibility are core tenets of this release, making Windows 7 the best-performing and most stable Windows operating system to date.

  • Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. 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. (Learn more about installing Windows).
  • Keep your PC updated: Turn on automatic updates in Windows Update in case we publish updates for the RC.
  • Stay informed. Keep up with general technical information and news by following the engineering blog or Windows team blog. And, you can get more information at the Windows Developer Forum on MSDN.

Thank you for participating in the RC program and helping us build the best operating system for you and your end users.

Windows 7 Development


Learn more about developing for Windows 7: