The Windows 7 Release Candidate program is to be pulled on 15th August 2009; according to Microsoft:

Although you’ll still be able to get activation keys for the RC after that date, you’ll no longer be able to download the software.

As I pointed out in a comment on another blog; from March 1st 2010, if you’re still running the Windows 7 RC on or after that date, it’ll shut down every 2 hours, regardless of what you’re working on. This is Microsoft’s way of saying “Buy the software, you freeloader.”

It’s probably best to buy an RTM copy of Windows 7 when it’s released on October 22nd 2009, as Microsoft will have made further developmental changes based on telemetry data harvested from many computers running the RC.

If you’re currently running any of the beta versions then my advice to you is to back up your important data and install the RC. – Otherwise you’ll be hit with 2-hourly restarts from July 1st 2009, after which the beta software will stop working altogether on August 1st 2009.

Rumour has it that Microsoft are soon to confirm UK pricing; if they haven’t done so already by the time that this article is published.

If you live in the UK and want to get in on the act and reserve a copy of Windows 7 E at a decent price; then I’ve just discovered; my thanks go to Chris, a reader who included this in a comment on a previous article, that between July 15th 2009 and 9th August 2009, you can get a copy from this location.

There’s no need to go here and buy a copy of Vista to get a “free” copy of Windows 7: It’s a con. Wait until July 15th and reserve your copy at a better price.

If you live in the USA then this program is already running at the time of writing, and you can reserve your copy of 7 here.

Everyone everywhere who knows what they’re talking about is saying that 7 is the best operating system from Microsoft yet. Personally I’m looking forwards to its launch with eager anticipation. – However there are bound to be bugs in the RTM, and it’ll no doubt require an SP1 to get it to run optimally: So don’t be too disheartened when your shiny new copy of Windows 7 doesn’t work flawlessly in every way imaginable. Remember, even XP required 2 service packs to make it almost perfect in its time. At the end of the day you have to remember that Microsoft are only human, despite having seemingly made a somewhat superhuman effort in this case. – No I’m not excusing shoddy workmanship; but it’s a rarity if not an impossibility to get it 101% right first time. It’s a great product; but don’t expect miracles.