Microsoft’s server capacity is up to scratch (according to them) and they have now released the Windows 7 beta for download. Head on over to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ and click the ‘Get the Beta’ link down the bottom of the page.

You’ll need to sign in with your live ID/hotmail/passport, but after answering a few questions you’ll be provided with a product key while letting your download complete in the background. At 2.5gb, it might take a while.

Yesterday we were greeted with a nice error message, today we see: “The Windows 7 Beta is now available for download. Thanks for your interest and help with the Beta”. Hopefully the servers don’t crash again before my download completes.

The just-released Beta 1 version of Windows 7 is a solid, fast-performing, stable operating system that appears to be just about fully baked and ready for prime time. It is much further along than Windows Vista was during its initial beta phase, and it appears to be feature-complete. Based on the stability and speed of this beta, don’t be surprised if Microsoft Corp. releases Windows 7 before 2010 rolls around.

The new, powered-up task bar makes an appearance for the first time in this beta, and it proves to be something of a mixed bag. As I’ll explain later in this review, the task bar makes it much easier to manage and switch between open windows and applications, but it also mixes icons for launching applications with icons for managing open windows.

So far I like what i’m seeing. I do like the new task bar and with all the reports of faster bootup times, generally faster operating for day to day tasks and everything else being blogged about I think Microsoft are taking a step in the right direction. aAlthough I don’t think windows 7 will make me switch back from OSX, time well tell however.

Remember the public download is available this weekend!

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