Windows 7 Release Candidate
Welcome!
Thanks for downloading the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC). This is the last big step toward finishing Windows 7. With your help, our engineers can check the fixes and changes they made based on Beta tests.
We rely on people like you to use the software before it’s commercially released. So if you haven’t already installed the RC, please go ahead. Having thousands of people use the software helps us test thousands of hardware and software combinations—a key to making things work great for you.
Getting started
You don’t need to do anything special to help with the testing. All you need to do is use the RC, and your PC will send information to our engineers.
IMPORTANT: If you are using the Windows 7 Beta, you will need to do a clean installation of the Release Candidate. The Installation Instructions will help you get started. Read them first to make sure you’ve got the information you need for a smooth installation.
As you use the RC, we hope you’ll discover:
- It works the way you expect: it’s fast, reliable, and works with your hardware and software
- It’s simple and easy to use so you can just dig in and use it right away
- It helps you do the things you want to do, and new things you may not have imagined
Learn more
- Learn more about Windows 7.
- Use the Windows 7 online forums to exchange technical information with other testers.
- Get news about Windows 7 on the team blog.
- To get more general information about Windows make sure you’re subscribed to the Exploring Windows newsletter.
So, enjoy trying out the RC. We’ll check back with you in about 10 days with more information. Thanks again for your investment in Windows 7.
The Windows 7 Team