Win 7 beta: February 10 is the download cut-off date

Microsoft officials said late last week they already have more than enough beta testers for Windows 7, but still are extending the cut-off date for downloads of the beta release.

Microsoft had a rocky start to its Windows 7 beta due to insufficient server capacity. To make amends to frustrated wanna-be testers, Microsoft extended the number of beta copies available for the two-week download period, slated to end on January 24. On January 23, company officials said they had decided to extend the beta download date until February 10.

More details from last week's post to the Windows Team blog:

"Product keys for the Windows 7 Beta will continue to be available. So if you have the Windows 7 Beta but didn’t get a product key you will be able to do so even after February 12th.

"MSDN and TechNet Subscribers will continue to have access to the Windows 7 Beta bits throughout the Windows 7 Beta phase. The above dates do not apply to MSDN and TechNet Subscribers."

The expiration date on the Windows 7 beta is August 1, 2009. A release candidate is expected to go to go out to select testers before that date. Many company watchers, partners and customer are expecting Microsoft to release to manufacturing the final Windows 7 build in the third quarter of 2009.