Thursday March 11, 2010 6:13 PM AEST

Atomic MPC > News > Build > Operating Systems > Windows 7 RC shutdown comes in March

Windows 7 RC shutdown comes in March

Forget and Microsoft turns you off bi-hourly.

For anyone still using a Release Candidate (RC) build of Windows 7, it's worth remembering that, if you haven't upgraded by March 2010, your operating system will become an ex-operating system before too long.

Arstechnica has sent out a courteous reminder before Microsoft sends round the frighteners to shut your computer down.

From February 15, 2010, Windows 7 RC (build 7100) will kindly start telling users to purchase an upgrade if they want to continue enjoying the benefits of Windows 7. If you haven't updated by March, then the Vole will start shutting Windows 7 down every two hours, as you should remember from this foreboding Windows teamblog:

"For the RC, bi-hourly shutdowns will begin on March 1st, 2010. You will be alerted to install a released version of Windows and your PC will shut down automatically every 2 hours. On June 1st, 2010 if you are still on the Windows 7 RC your license for the Windows 7 RC will expire and the non-genuine experience is triggered where your wallpaper is removed and 'This copy of Windows is not genuine' will be displayed in the lower right corner above the taskbar."

If you want to keep using Windows 7, you can use the Windows 7 RTM (build 7600) instead.

Want to check out the first Australian review of Final Fantasy XIII? We got in this month's Atomic!

Plus HD projectors, Napoleon: Total War, Intel's new six-core processor, PC upgrading guide, and a whole lot more.

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6 Comments

Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.

Mademan Feb 2, 2010 11:56 AM	lol.
A Hitman Feb 2, 2010 3:37 PM	Reminds me that I still need to get a key for my copy.
Takoma Feb 2, 2010 4:25 PM	Crap, forgot about that. Looks like I'll be springing for a copy next pay :)
krazyKurious Feb 3, 2010 12:15 AM	or switch to a linux distro such as I did to kubuntu, which doesn't expire, require defrag, contain countless viruses and other nasties. I still can't believe how many of my friends and family connect their fresly installed copy of Windows to the web. Before installing or activating their firewall and antivirus, what you want info 2 b stolen off ur pc. Should be made law if you can't work a user friendly Linux distro. Don't go within 10 feet of a pc. I can't get any version of Windows including 7 to go beyond 6 months without a reduction in performance. My Linux box installed with countless programs doesn't have such problems, fast as when I first installed it.
orcone Feb 3, 2010 12:31 AM	Fight the man krazy. I'll be over here buying 2 copies of things you don't buy.
bozo01 Mar 11, 2010 8:52 AM	"From February 15, 2010, Windows 7 RC (build 7100) will kindly start telling users to purchase an upgrade if they want to continue enjoying the benefits of Windows 7." The message says "This pre-release version of windows 7 ultimate will expire in 0 hours. To keep using Windows, back up your files, then install any edition of WIndows 7 Ultimate." Okay... Which editions of 7 Ultimate can you choose from? 32-bit, 64-big, Japanese, UK? What if I want Home Premium instead? By the way krazyKurious, how many of todays modern games can you play on Linux without needing a University degree in Linux?

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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 111 | April, 2010

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.

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