[Brynjaminjones]

Has anyone else here noticed that on the Microsoft website it says, and I quote here : " The Beta expires on August 1, 2009. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date." This alone is what's stopping me from installing it. I apologise if this has already been said.

[peach]

Pretty standard for all beta versions.. otherwise who would by the release?

[Curious]

Apparently there is a time bomb integrated into the beta. It is said there may not even be any warning that your computer won't boot the next day. Pluspatcher. I will be upgrading to Windows 7, and I save all my documents to an SDHC card and a USB key so that they won't become inaccessible.

[vansmack]

In my long history with Microsoft Beta's, there has never been a time when there was no Beta or Release Candidate that wasn't available right up until the commercial release of a new OS. You're never really forced to go back to an old version, unless, of course, you are not willing to purchase a final retail version when it comes out.

But as was pointed out - if you keep all of your personal files on the SD Card, it's not hard to jump between OS's which is what a lot of Beta testers do.

[mostlyharmless22]

You should have the original installation disks from Dell so reinstalling your OS shouldn't be a problem.

[holmes4]

At least they're saying that it will be possible to install a later version of Windows 7 over this beta. Sometimes betas cannot be "upgraded" to the final version and you have to reinstall from scratch.

[slatergs]

You could also just download a patch to get rid of it. I have seen a few of them out there already that supposedly are working. Similar to what many people did with the different alpha versions.

[jw8725]

There's lots of time till then. I say enjoy the freebie.

[jdizzle]

Maybe the fish will float belly up to the top of the screen.
[this is kinda in reply to someone who posted the beta/Betta reference earlier]

[Alpha0ero]

Originally Posted by holmes4

At least they're saying that it will be possible to install a later version of Windows 7 over this beta. Sometimes betas cannot be "upgraded" to the final version and you have to reinstall from scratch.

Is this what they are actually saying? I would expect you would need to wipe and reinstall the next beta or release candidate.

Of course, you could be 100% correct...I'm just sayin'.... 8-)