It was just the other day that we put together a rather large article which summed up a few of the nags and annoyances that users running Microsoft’s software have to go through these days. On of the items in the article was related to Windows 7 Beta, and the fact that it will expire soon. Initially the Redmond-based software developer announced the Beta will expire on the 1st of August, but users will start getting upgrade notifications (in the form if bi-hourly shutdowns) as of June 1st. That statement was erroneous it seems, and those of you still running Windows 7 Beta will not start to experience bi-hourly shutdowns as of June 1st.

Windows Communications Manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, Brandon LeBlanc, explains: “Over the weekend, some of you may have received an email from us reminding you that the Windows 7 Beta expires on August 1st, 2009. In that email, we ask that if you are still on the Windows 7 Beta that you should consider moving to a “non-expired” copy of Windows such as the Windows 7 RC or Windows Vista because bi-hourly shutdowns will begin June 1st. The Windows 7 Beta does expire on August 1st, 2009; unfortunately the date for when bi-hourly shutdowns will begin for the Windows 7 Beta was incorrect however. Bi-hourly shutdowns for the Windows 7 Beta will begin July 1st, 2009.”

The email that Microsoft started to send out to Windows 7 Beta users, the one that Brandon LeBlanc mentioned above, is presented here:

“Thanks again for your help in testing the Windows 7 Beta.

We’re sending this mail to remind you that Windows 7 Release candidate is available and to make sure you plan ahead for when the Beta expires on August 1, 2009. On June 1, 2009, the PC you’re using to test the Beta will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will send you a notice a couple of weeks in advance, and that’d be the ideal time to rebuild your test PC with a non-expired version of Windows, such as the RC or Windows Vista. This will be a clean installation, so be ready to reinstall your programs and data. (Learn more about installing Windows.)

So, if you haven’t already done so, we highly recommend that you download and install the RC from one of the following sites today:

Developers
IT Pros/Microsoft Partners
Tech Enthusiasts/Consumers

IMPORTANT: If you are running Windows 7 Beta you’ll need to back up your data (preferably on an external device) and then do a clean install of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. After installing Windows 7, you will need to reinstall applications and restore your files. If you need help with the installation process, please see the Installation Instructions.

If you have questions or need help installing the RC, you can get help with your Windows 7 questions at http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

There’s another expiration date you need to keep in mind: Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010, and you’ll need to either upgrade to the final release of Windows 7 or a prior version of Windows before then. (We‘ll send you another reminder as this date approaches.)

Thanks again for your interest in Windows 7 and for your help in finishing this product!”

If you would like to get Windows 7 Release Candidate, download locations and activation keys are available here. The operating system, as Microsoft informed, will remain available for download “at least through July 2009.” The expiration date attached to Win7 RC is the 1st of June, 2010 – but just as with Windows 7 Beta, the OS will start to shut down every 2 hours starting with the 1st of March, 2010 (assuming of course that Microsoft did not mess-up this date as it did with the Beta).