Microsoft have today closed the technical beta for Windows 7, less than a day after the operating system was released to manufacturing. In an email to testers they said…
As you know, Microsoft® Windows 7 was Released to Manufacturing (RTM) this afternoon, July 22, 2009. We are excited to be releasing what we consider our best OS to date and we couldn’t have done it without you, our Technical Beta Testers!
With the announcement of RTM, the beta program is officially closed. Please take a few minutes to note the following changes that will happen on Friday, July 24, 2009.
1. All beta content on Connect will be removed. This includes downloads, surveys [except as outlined below], content, beta keys, etc.
2. All Windows 7 beta newsgroups are now read-only and will be deleted. The only exceptions are the announcement, beta_program, and café NGs.
3. Bug submission will be disabled.
Moving forward, please note the following opportunities that are available to you:
· If you have not already done so, please let us know how we did by completing the post-program beta survey [link removed]. Your feedback will help make our future beta programs even more successful!
As always, it’s been a pleasure working with each and every one of you! Please stay tuned for additional correspondence here and in the NGs regarding the program closure.
Regards,
The Windows 7 Beta Team
So now technical testers must wait another agonising two years when there’s nothing to test that can cause instabilities, crashes, driver problems and generally play havoc with their PCs. Aah, what fun it all is!
