Windows 7 beta arriving January

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 3 Dec 2008 at 17:00

Microsoft has announced the first beta of Windows 7 will be ready for public consumption in January.

A DVD containing the beta will be handed to attendees of Microsoft's Developer Conference to be held on 14 January.

The company has also confirmed that people attending Microsoft events prior to this will be mailed a copy of the beta when it becomes available.

Microsoft handed out pre-alpha versions of Windows 7 at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in October, however that version was missing the touchscreen graphical user interface shown in demonstrations.

Microsoft says it is looking at early 2009 for a general beta release.

For our in depth coverage of Windows 7, including a hands on with the new features, click here.