News
Windows 7 Leaked
The upcoming Windows 7 beta -- scheduled to be released this month -- found its way onto the Internet over the holidays.
The upcoming Windows 7 beta -- scheduled to be
released this month -- found its way onto the Internet over the holidays.
According to several news reports, the leaked version can currently be fairly easily found on several BitTorrent sites. It is the Beta 1 version, and according to those who have tested the software, including ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, it's "very similar" to the prerelease beta Microsoft gave testers in October.
Many industry watchers predicted that Microsoft would provide early previews of the beta to customers during the holidays. That preview appears not to have happened, although some commenters are wondering whether Microsoft leaked the beta on purpose. Microsoft has not commented on that speculation or the leak itself.
While Microsoft has not said exactly when in January it will release the beta, it is widely believed that the company will distribute it at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) taking place this week in Las Vegas.
About the Author
Becky Nagel is the vice president of Web & Digital Strategy for 1105's Converge360 Group, where she oversees the front-end Web team and deals with all aspects of digital projects at the company, including launching and running the group's popular virtual summit and Coffee talk series . She an experienced tech journalist (20 years), and before her current position, was the editorial director of the group's sites. A few years ago she gave a talk at a leading technical publishers conference about how changes in Web browser technology would impact online advertising for publishers. Follow her on twitter @beckynagel.