@ Microsoft:
Windows 7 is…
the next release of the Windows client operating system, built on the secure foundation of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Performance, reliability, security, and compatibility are core tenets of this release as we collect your feedback to meet our engineering goals of making Windows 7 the best-performing and most stable Windows operating system to date. New innovations in the product are designed to augment your ability as an IT professional to better provision and manage increasingly mobile PCs, protect data, and improve both end-user and personal productivity.

See Windows 7 for yourself
We are inviting IT professionals around the world to work with the Windows 7 Beta in their lab environments and secondary PCs to help ensure smooth adoption when the final product is available and to gather feedback from real-world settings.

It is available for 32 and 64-bit systems.

Don’t install the Beta on your primary home or work computer.

Please read all the information and instructions in the Announcement

Important Note to Internet Explorer 8 Beta testers:
If you're already testing Internet Explorer 8, please be aware that the version in the Windows 7 Beta is at a different stage of release. If you’re beta-testing Windows 7, you need to use the version of Internet Explorer 8 that comes with it.

Further note:
Install the Beta only on a dedicated test computer.

More at 'Installation Instructions' :
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7...structions.aspx

Update for Windows 7 Beta x86 (KB961367)
Install this update to resolve live and recorded TV issues in Windows Media Center, recorded TV playback issues in Windows Media Player, and MP3 file corruption issues in Windows. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows 7 Pre-Release License Terms.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Update for Windows 7 Beta for x64-based Systems (KB961367)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;DisplayLang=en

Microsoft postpones Windows 7 public beta

They just couldn't handle it...trouble with the keys issue and the servers went ballistic
" Microsoft Corp. postponed the rollout of the Windows 7 beta today, citing "very heavy traffic" on its Web site."

Users who have tried to download the beta have been greeted with messages such as "Server is too busy" and "This site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day."

The Microsoft spokeswoman did not know when users could expect to download the beta. "No ETA at this point," she said via a follow-up instant message.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/articl...ticleId=9125626

____________________________

Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal -- we’re in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We’re sorry for the delay and we’ll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience.
_______________________________________

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx

Up and running - keys are now being issued, just follow the steps in the Announcement
And don't worry whether x86 or x64 key, they are interchangeable.

Updated: " ...we have decided remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit."

Now some addititional info: Information Collection
Please read the Windows 7 Beta Privacy Statement

For instance:
" In order to offer you a more consistent and personalized experience in your interactions with Microsoft, information collected through one Microsoft service may be combined with information obtained through other Microsoft services. We may also supplement the information we collect with information obtained from other companies. For example, we may use services from other companies that enable us to derive a general geographic area based on your IP address in order to customize certain services to your geographic area.

Microsoft may access or disclose information about you, including the content of your communications, in order to: (a) comply with the law or respond to lawful requests or legal process; (b) protect the rights or property of Microsoft or our customers, including the enforcement of our agreements or policies governing your use of the services; or © act on a good faith belief that such access or disclosure is necessary to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, customers, or the public.

Information that is collected by or sent to Microsoft by Windows 7 (Beta) may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or service providers maintain facilities. Microsoft abides by the safe harbor framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of data from the European Union.

Because this is a pre-release version of the software, some of these Internet-enabled features are turned on by default so that we can collect enough information about how the software is working in order to improve the commercially released software. The default settings in this pre-release software do not necessarily reflect how these features will be configured in the commercially released software."

How to Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista...@ Life Hacker

The Bumper List of Windows 7 Secrets
http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2009/01...-7-secrets.aspx

Windows 7 - Tutorial Index- Everything you need to know.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/257-w...rial-index.html

Features removed from Windows 7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_removed_from_Windows_7

Features new to Windows 7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_7

January 26, 2009
Update for Windows 7 Client Beta (KB962236)

Update for Windows 7 Client Beta for x64-based Systems (KB962236)