Microsoft to shut off free versions of Windows 7 soon

W7 RC expires June 1 with warnings and auto shutdowns beginning March 1.

On March 1, users of the free, release candidate versions of Windows 7 will experience bi-hourly shut downs, Microsoft says. These shut downs will continue until June 1. On June 1, the RC version has officially expired. Microsoft will replace the wallpaper with a background that says the copy of Windows is not genuine.

After June 1,those who haven't upgraded to a purchased copy of Windows 7, which typically requires a clean install, will experience the following issues:

• Windows starts to a black desktop.
• Windows 7 RC users are presented with a Windows Activation screen. The screen states that the Windows that you are running is not genuine.
• Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.

Enterprise users who want to dabble with Windows 7 have a couple of options. You maybe entitled to a fully functional, free version of Windows 7 if you are a member of any of the following groups:

• MSDN Subscriber (Developer)
• TechNet Plus Subscriber
• Volume License/Software Assurance customer

If you aren't a member of those groups, and you want Windows 7 for app compatibility testing, there is another option, the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial, which is a full working version of Windows 7, with a 90-day license, that doesn't require a product key. Microsoft intends this version to be used for app comparability testing, however, so it too will shut down every hour.

On February 15, users will be warned that the auto shut-down is about to take place.

I can't make Microsoft out as a bad guy for shutting down their proprietary software after the license has expired, but I can't fully understand what's up with the two-hour shut down sequence. Why not just not allow the software to boot up?

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