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"Starting this Tuesday (May 12th) we will release up to ten test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 RC in order to verify our ability to deliver and manage updating of Windows 7 in certain real-life scenarios," wrote Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft's in-house Windows blogger, in a post last week.
Most of the test files will self-install, while a few will require manual installation by the user. "These updates do not deliver any new features or fixes," LeBlanc noted. Microsoft previously dispatched a series of test updates to Windows 7 users on Feb. 24.
Microsoft is ramping up efforts to complete Windows 7 as soon as possible, potentially with an eye to releasing a final version of the operating system in time for the key back-to-school shopping season.
Last week, the company made available a trial version of a software tool that assesses whether a given PC can run Windows 7.
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, as it's called, examines a PC's components, including chip, memory, storage, and graphics processor, to automatically determine whether the system can run Windows 7. A beta version of Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is now available as a download from Microsoft's Web site. LeBlanc didn't state when a final version would be ready.
Also last week, Microsoft made Windows 7 Release Candidate available as a free download from the company's Windows Web site.
Windows 7 RC contains most of the features that will end up in the final version of the OS, including support for touch-screen interfaces, and it's been tested for compatibility with hardware and software from most major vendors through a months-long beta trial program. Still, Microsoft typically warns computer users not to use prerelease software for critical tasks or in key business production environments.
Windows 7 RC will function until June 1, 2010. After that date, users will need to upgrade their PC to a full, paid version of the operating system in order to keep using the software.
InformationWeek has published an in-depth report on Windows 7. Download the report here (registration required).
