This article also appears in Canadian Developer Connection.
If you have a TechNet subscription, you’re in luck – you can download the official ISO files for the RTM version of Windows 7, both 32- and 64-bit!
You can grab it right now at: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/subscriptions/securedownloads/default.aspx
My co-worker Rick Claus, Senior IT Pro Evangelist with Microsoft Canada reports that he’s got it up and running on a couple of his boxes and he’s pretty impressed.
Some things to mull over while you’re waiting for the ISOs to download:
You can install without a key and have it run for 30 days. Great for a lab environment.
Are you running a beta or RC version of Windows 7? You’ll should use the Migration Wizard – migwiz.exe – to save your data settings, then do a clean install.
Windows 7 resources abound online. Be sure to visit the Canadian “Springboard” site.
Use the Upgrade Advisor tool. It does a check and tells you if your hardware and applications have any known issues (get it here).
Check out the great video series on XP to Windows 7 migration that my friends Adam Carter and the gang from edge.technet.com have created.
Looking for some great technical training on Windows 7? Check out the TechDays conference to register for the client track at a city near you!