Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) Build Information

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As we know Windows 7 RC has been released to Connect, TechNet and MSDN subscribers.

Following is some important information about this RC build, which you should know:

File Size:

x86 version - 2.47 GB

x64 version - 3.2 GB

Product Key:

Windows 7 Beta Product key will not work in RC build. So you'll need to obtain a new Product key which is available in your account page.

Expiry Date:

Windows 7 RC will expire on March 1, 2010. At this time the system will reboot every two hours. The license of windows 7 RC will expire June 1, 2010.

Installation:

You can either upgrade from a Windows Vista system, or do a custom (clean) installation of Windows 7 RC. Windows 7 Beta users will need to do a custom (clean) installation.

Windows XP users will also need to do a custom (clean) installation.

Bug Report:

Since its an RC build, the Launch UI for the Feedback Tool has been removed but its still there. If you really want to provide feedback, you can run the Feedback Tool by using following command:

rundll32.exe FeedbackTool.dll,ShowWizard

You can also create a shortcut on Desktop for it.

You should only use the Feedback Tool for reporting:

Issues that prevent installation or upgrade
Any issues that involve corruption or data loss
Security issues
Regressions from Beta (Things worked in beta but do not work now)
Any application or device issues that would prevent you from using Windows 7 as your primary OS.
Reproducible crashes or hangs (issues that you cannot reproduce will be captured by CEIP Telemetry)

Public Release:

Microsoft will release the same RC build to public on 5th May on Microsoft Download Center. There will be no download limit.

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7.

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informale

well, actually, beta keys do work with that what's claimed to be a leaked 7100 RC and is found on torrents.

do you mind posting md5 cheksums for the iso images?
Jared MacKenzie

My beta keys worked as well on the leaked RC
CO7DFiRE

Well the beta keys did worked for me too in the leak version...
VG can u post the MD5 hash... :)
VG

MD5 Hash: 8867C13330F56A93944BCD46DCD73590

PS: The information about Product key was given by Microsoft and I think its for the Public release of RC.
informale

The MD5 is correct for x86, so I guess the leaked x64 build is real as well.

In that case I wonder, what will be the other differences between technet and public 7100 RC...
Or Microsoft just forgot to block the beta keys or changed their mind or something.
Vasu

Tx Vishal for giving the original file MD5 Hash..it matches the one i have downloaded ..the leaked one is the Original
Mutz777

VG, can u post some keys so that people like me could use it.
informale

Mutz777,
what do you mean by "people like you"? Can't you register a Windwos Live or Hotmail account to get the keys like everybody else?
Mutz777

Sorry, didn't know that. i'm a newbie. thanks for the help dude!