Next Tuesday Microsoft will make the Release Candidate of Windows 7 available for the public to download and play with.

Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• First, the download is big - the 32-bit edition is nearly 2.5GB, and the 64-bit download is bigger. You need a fast connection.
• If in doubt as to which download to bring in, go for the 32-bit edition.
• Microsoft won't be placing a limit on the number of product keys it offers, so there's no rush to get the download.
• The Release Candidate doesn’t expire until June 1, 2010, so if you grab a copy you have plenty of time to test the OS thoroughly.
• Here are the system requirements:
  - 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  - 1 GB of RAM (32-bit)/2 GB of RAM (64-bit)
  - 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit)/20 GB (64-bit)
  - DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or higher driver
• Don't go nuts and start installing the software on you main system without a backup!

More info on Windows 7:

• Get your Windows 7 GPU drivers
• Verdict: Windows 7 - Like Vista, just a bit easier to use and less annoying
• Windows 7 - Official system requirements
• Windows 7 "XP Mode" system requirements
• Max memory limits for 64-bit Windows 7
• Windows 7 on a netbook - My verdict
• Windows 7 RC 32-bit vs. Vista SP1 32-bit - Gaming shootout
• First Look: Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100)
• Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100) leaked

This entry was posted on Friday, May 1st, 2009 at 12:01 and is filed under PC Doctor Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.