UPDATE x6: Microsoft pulls plug on Win 7 beta download due to heavy traffic

UPDATE x6: Beta extended: "We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit."  

UPDATE x5: Official download page is back up.  

UPDATE x4: A few of you have asked for the hashes of the ISO files ... here they are:

 32-bit

MD5: f9dce6ebd0a63930b44d8ae802b63825 SHA1: 6071184282b2156ff61cdc5260545c078cca31ee

64-bit

MD5: 773fc9cc60338c612af716a2a14f177d SHA1: e09fdbc1cb3a92cf6cc872040fdaf65553ab62a5

UPDATE x3: Direct download links: Windows 7 x86 (32bit) and x64 (64 bit) now seem to be working again so if you still want to get your hands on the beta, do it now! As for product keys Neowin has a suggestion that might work. There's also a suggestion for Firefox users. Reports I'm getting are divided as to whether this wirks or not.

UPDATE x2: This from Microsoft: "Due to very heavy traffic we're seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta. We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and we'll be in touch once the beta goes live."

UPDATE: Direct download links: Windows 7 x86 (32bit) and x64 (64 bit) - these may work ... may not. No word on when product keys will be available.

Been trying to get your hands on Windows 7 beta 1 all day? You're not alone!

Traffic has been so extreme that Microsoft's servers have been unable to keep up with the load. Because of this Microsoft has decided to temporarily pull the plug on the download for the time being.

I'm trying to find out exactly what went wrong and when the download will next be offered.