Update: Microsoft has now re-opened the beta officially at this link.Thanks to our ever wonderful forum posters who are currently discussing the Windows 7 beta and Helmers Blog we now know a method of acquiring an official Windows 7 beta key.
We have posted direct links to the downloads earlier today:
Download: Windows 7 x86 (32bit) and x64 (64 bit) If you have issues with the direct links try via the Akamai Java download manager 32bit and 64bit, you will need to copy and paste the links into a new window otherwise you'll get redirected to the Windows 7 home page.Here's the steps for a key:
- Visit TechNet Downloads, sign in at the top right and let the page load
- Within the same window copy and paste "https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033" into the address bar or "https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033" (64bit key but will work on 32 too, if you get an error refresh a few times)...enjoy the result below (32 bit link seems to work better), whilst stocks last. If you are still having issues try clearing your temp files and deleting all cookies.
According to Microsoft there are 2.5 million keys to go around worldwide so plenty in other words. Microsoft is also providing a QFE patch for the MP3 corruption issues that have plagued build 7000, this should be online shortly as KB961367. It's extremely important you apply this patch as you may lose parts of your MP3s if the patch is not applied. 32bit and 64bit patches are now available.
If you're interested in Windows 7 features then check out our overviews:Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net.
Try it again, there was a typo in the link or something. The CMS mucked it up.
To get a 64 bit key (works with 32 bit): https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...64-ww&LCID=1033
To get a 32 bit key (works with 64 bit): https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...32-ww&LCID=1033
64 bit works instantly, but 32 bit also does work, takes some time... If you see the error page, you're on the right track, just keep pressing F5 and soon enough you'll get your keys
Also you may want to blur out your product key there, and revise your instructions to stress the importance of copying and pasting the link into the page where you just logged into technet
Screwed up my links, fixed now
Last edited by Deathray on 10 Jan 2009 - 02:45
It works. Just had an error in the link we posted. Try again.
Last edited by Kreuger on 10 Jan 2009 - 02:04
Just keep refreshing the page if you're getting server errors.
Last edited by Majesticmerc on 10 Jan 2009 - 03:42
"The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day."
"The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day."
You should be on the right track, keep refreshing that page... If you're trying to get the 64 bit key, it should work faster
and i thought everyone hates windows.....
We did not find any results for betaexperience productkeys win7 64 enus default aspx.
does that mean all the 2.5 million keys are gone?
does that mean all the 2.5 million keys are gone?
No, the page is just getting hammered, if you keep pressing F5, you'll get your key
Are you letting the page load completely before you refresh it? It took me under 10 tries for 32 bit key...
same here been try for 20+ min same message
I give up. I've been trying for over 40 minutes. I'll try again tomorrow.
People have reported that the keys (64 or 32 bit) can be used for either 64 bit or 32 bit installations
If anyone has a key to spare I would appreciate it =-) For now I'm gonna keep trying both methods, heh ^+^
Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal—we're in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We're sorry for the delay and we'll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience.
and then bumps me to live search....?
Did you make sure to copy and paste the link into your browser window where you just logged into technet?
Try clearing your internet settings (cookies, etc)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
am i doing something wrong?
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
am i doing something wrong?
1. Clear your internet temporary files, just in case
2. Log into technet with the link provided above
3. In the same window, copy and paste the link provided above for 64 bit edition (key will work for 32 bit as well) into the same window where you logged into technet
4. If you get an error page, you're on the right track, keeping pressing F5 and eventually you'll get your key
Yes I did clear my cookies, history, etc. Yes, I tried multiple times.
Does anyone know why it isn't working?
I'll post if/when I get a code... Been trying this for 10 minutes now
Dude2009's post (which I don't see now) had this link and the links posted there work!
http://blog.hznet/2009/01/10/how-to-rec...-windows-7-key/
This was confusing as hell because people kept insisting that the links posted worked.
worked for me
here's what I did to get a key,
1. Sign into Technet Downloads in IE7
2. open about 10 tabs all pointing to https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033
3. Select one of the tabs, right click it and select "Refresh All"
4. Profit!
only took me 4 refreshes this way
It seems like it was doing that to me, but then i hit backspace (go back to technet page), repaste url, and it kept on working as expected
Last edited by Xepol on 10 Jan 2009 - 03:11
anyone with more than one key willing to send me one or someone getting success somehow?
It is easier to get a 64 bit versus 32.. Chances improve
Like everyone else, I've been trying. Although, I'm not a subscriber; so, ... ?
Okay, thanks Deathray.
wtf nvm!
Check me off the list, just got a key after about refresh of all 12 tabs repeatedly for the last 30minutes to 1 hour
Just keep trying ( refreshing ).
I opened 1 window to this page for instructions.
I opened a new window and accessed http://technet.microsoft.com/.
Once it fully came up, I logged in with an account I have had for years.
And then used the 64 bit link from the second post.
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033
It displayed the error to come back the next business day. I kept hitting refresh.
I was hitting refresh so fast, I actually missed hit refresh when the key came up. Had to hit refresh about 20 times before it came up again.
I was not able to get the 32 bit key page to display. I hope the 64 bit key works for 32 bit. If it don't, guess I'm installing 64 bit.
Thanks for the help!
I opened 1 window to this page for instructions.
I opened a new window and accessed http://technet.microsoft.com/.
Once it fully came up, I logged in with an account I have had for years.
And then used the 64 bit link from the second post.
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033
It displayed the error to come back the next business day. I kept hitting refresh.
I was hitting refresh so fast, I actually missed hit refresh when the key came up. Had to hit refresh about 20 times before it came up again.
I was not able to get the 32 bit key page to display. I hope the 64 bit key works for 32 bit. If it don't, guess I'm installing 64 bit.
Thanks for the help!
This one works...just got a key
Those who are thinking that 50 or 60 refreshes is enough to give up hope - hold out, its worth the effort. Open a tab, clone it a few times, and refresh the set as previously discussed until it finally pops out the system!
That server is getting the hell pounded out of it, but it does come through!
(no wonder they had to post pone this for the masses - if us few geeks can slaughter the key server, imagine what 2.5 million people could do!
can 64-bit be used to activate a 32 bit OS?
can 64-bit be used to activate a 32 bit OS?
Yes
But, I swear...I'm going to have nightmares of those two MS geeks sitting behind the laptops tonight...
F5, F5, F5, F5...
Yes it is...
Bummer. Guess I do have to verify each tab before refreshing them all. Heh..
MSFT hates me or something.
Anyone have an extra beta key to spare?
Thnx
If i get one i'll be happy to pass over the other one
selfish inconsiderate ******s
selfish inconsiderate ******s
Please. Like you wouldn't do the same thing. You can't blame everyone on Neowin because you're not getting a key. I don't have my key... I'm not getting all ****y about that.
Btw joining the Key Begging club
When WILL they learn
p.s. Can someone email Bill and tell him to up the memory assigned to the VM that hosts this server please.....
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7...faq.aspx#faq2_6
<groan>
If so do i answer yes or no?
The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day.
Good Luck for the rest of you, and don't give up!
Last edited by sweetcaddy on 10 Jan 2009 - 05:43
I've been trying for 2 hours... nothing yet.
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pr...us/default.aspx
or do I paste:
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033
>?
and it work rember dont refresh paste it on adressbar every time i think thats the right way
the one tom warren posted
Last edited by dlegend on 10 Jan 2009 - 06:24
vcheers m$
Now every time I reload it redirects me to the Microsoft search. Then I log out, relog and still MS search.
I'm giving up on this.
...k, did some math. I had 2 tabs open for the 64 and 32 bit versions, reloading every 5 secs for the the last 4 hours. That means I'd seen either the "Error. This site is blah blah blah...." and the MS search saying no such page was found, around 5760 times, give or take a couple hundreds due to blinking or yawning.
Maybe in some future MS wise up and does things properly and I can get a legit way to use Win 7.
Last edited by Arlyn on 10 Jan 2009 - 07:19
if ur getting the "The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day" ur on ur way, just keep trying.
at some points i got redirected to even other microsoft sites, the one u want is the "The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day" otherwise clear ur cache and temp.
I used f5 not ctrl f5 like some people were saying. hope this helps someone. thanks to the guys who helped be out above.
here is the link that worked for me, i think its the same one as posted above, too lazy to compare
good luck to all, im going to activate mine
about 11:13pm California, USA.
I just kept pressing the refresh icon in IE8 since I'm already on Windows7.
I logged into TechNet.com and then pasted this link in the address bar:
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033
Then...refreshed for 2+ hours and now I have my key. Hopefully it doesn't take this long for the rest of you :/.
Good luck to everyone, bed time!
Mike
Looks like MS people returned to their homes for the weekend leaving the work f..ed up. Yeah, it was really hard to predict that this beta would get much attention
Last edited by tom5 on 10 Jan 2009 - 08:10
Is anybody else getting the technical difficulties page still?
1) Open up 10 tabs and go to the http://technet.microsoft.com/ on each tab AND LOGIN FIRST
2) Paste https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033 into all tabs and hit enter
3) Right click on one tab and "Reload all"
Worked about 5 times of doing step 3!!!
EDIT-------
Received my key AGAIN within 3 minutes of trying again!
Last edited by djlegion on 10 Jan 2009 - 08:10
the servers are under enough stress..quit trying if you already have your key
Login first. Maybe try to clear cache and cookies and keep trying. I almost gave up and tried this way and it worked!
And kudos to everyone suggesting that check4change extension... I'm having a hard enough time staying awake after pulling an all nighter for this! let alone trying to find something amusing about refreshing my browser for a couple of hours ^-^
california 12:19am
Last edited by sweetcaddy on 10 Jan 2009 - 08:34
Crossing fingers...
and get back to it, it happens some times if you refresh to fast or if you refresh when the page is still loading.
did you have to confirm receipt of key? i just got mine but when i clicked a link at the bottom, it redir'd to the win7 page, and wouldn't return to that page. i screen-capped it first, whew. just wondering if that x64 key will pop up for someone else.
also: i registered a neowin account just to say the method described here works! i had 4 tabs open and just kept Refreshing All until it popped up (about 30 minutes, split between F5ing and reading various forums, trying to figure if microsoft servers were down for the weekend).
EDIT: i already downloaded the ISO during the day, which looks like what the link went to next. so hopefully i'm good. installing now.
Last edited by Rhythm Heaven on 10 Jan 2009 - 08:32
Last edited by artnada on 10 Jan 2009 - 08:56
In anycase, could any of you post the "link" that you get the key at? or possibly a screen cap of the webpage? it would be nice to know what I'm supposed to look for.
With Click it will stop the page and auto forcus for you.
everything says that it does but I want to hear from someone that has done it.
well u still got 85mb to go
what shall we do now ??
what shall we do now ??
Same to me, I think there is a server problem
i'm using IDM
It doesn't redirect for me. I'm not part of any beta project. I went through 700+ tabs to get mine to work. You need to log in, and then you need to refresh until you get through. Don't be so jaded that you ruin someone's hopes of getting it.
It worked for me fine. Just because you can't do it doesn't mean that we can't. Maybe we're not all quitters like you.
So you're saying All of those above here, including me who say we have been successful with the above method are lying through our teeth???
Don't call me a liar, Sir!
Again, I say unto you "User Error!"
Pretty poor show old chap. Pretty poor show!
We are all lying. Haha. You got us.
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
If you want to be a hero by making claims like you have, make sure you cant be found out, losers
....and yet, still reports of it working. I just grabbed another. What now?
I get my CD Key already...So...I believe that this is not a lie...
Just try...Don expect the key will just pop out after u click the link...
Must wait and be patient..
u obviously need to see prove to believe it, so here it is http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00830hl8.jpg
had to use a camera though cos my print screen button dont work.
havent installed it yet, just downloading now. but seem to have problems downloading 32 bit, so getting 64.
Yes it works.
and you know that cos you read it, cos you tried it?
Seriously. We have a winner!!
I have been trying for the past 2 hours, thanks.
yeh it is, thats wot im using to download, becuase sometimes my connection cuts off, and i dont want to start all over
Error
The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day.
Now what to do ? If anybody has extra key or can get extra please please give me.
Anyway off to install it =D
I lied, 40 minutes. Sorry.
Anyway how u check it refresh how many times?
I installed C4C and have it scan for changes every 15 seconds
on this page shown below... Also occasionally the c4c blinks and i check it and all that has happened is it redirects to a microsoft live search page saying 'cant be found'
And when Check4Change flashes its only going to this page everytime
Last edited by calebralph on 10 Jan 2009 - 10:44
well like 15mins before i posted that screenshot
I got it by using Check4Change, a Firefox extension.
Just go to the page: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pr...us/default.aspx
and monitor the text that is on that page (error)
then it just loads up!
Yes, this happened to me a lot too. I was still able to get a key though, just refresh again (and again) .
do get the feeling that uk folk aint getting any keys
Keep trying.
if u do the same dont forget your extensions (eg a gun )
---------------
what a disaster ...........
after monitoring the text and setting the time, again right click on the text and from the C4C options select custom
the custom configuration window will appear >> mark this " allow navigating away from monitoring page "
this will make the page return to the original location after redirecting to the live search page without notifying you
hope to be useful
Don't use the download link provided with the key you receive. It won't get you anywhere. Use one of the download links discussed above. Be patient and good luck. -chris
I'll wait for 32bit...
Bye
you already got a key, drop the hammer
i want to leave it running an going into the server room.
i want to leave it running an going into the server room.
It will stop refeshing and keep the page there for you.
I wanna test now on my current PC so I will need to get the 32bit
Cant believe all these tabs auto refreshing and still nothing after two hours!!!! grrrr
I tried it for 3 hours now and nothing
EDIT: 333rd comment
After monitoring the text and setting the time, again right click on the text and from the C4C options select custom then custom configuration window will appear >> check this "allow navigating away from monitoring page "
This will make the page return to the original location after redirecting to the live search page without notifying you
Thanks all
Thanks heaps to those who mentioned it (check4change).. I would have been still wearing out my finger with F5 otherwise.
In a weird way, its been sort of fun trying to crack it - am I the only one who thinks so? Great to see all of us getting together and trying to help each other. Team work is a great thing! cheers, andrew.
1. Use Firefox. Add the "check4change" add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ , search for check4change and then click "Add to Firefox". Restart as required by clicking restart button.)
2. Open TechNet page per link and login using your hotmail/passport account details.
3. Open new tab, and go to https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033 (64-bit link). The page with "Error... The site is currently experiencing technical....." should appear.
4. Highlight any wording, e.g. "The site is currently", right click and choose Check4Change, then Custom... Set refresh interval between 2-10 seconds (I put 2 seconds), click "Bring to Front" under Notifications, and also click "Allow navigating away from a monitored page" under Problem Solvers". Click Ok.
5. The page will keep refreshing every few seconds until a change is noticed.
6. Repeat steps 3-4 for as many tabs as you want - around 5 seemed to be right. Too many is being selfish and will slow things down anyway, and too few will take longer. Good luck!
1. Use Firefox. Add the "check4change" add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ , search for check4change and then click "Add to Firefox". Restart as required by clicking restart button.)
2. Open TechNet page per link and login using your hotmail/passport account details.
3. Open new tab, and go to https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/sc...w&LCID=1033 (64-bit link). The page with "Error... The site is currently experiencing technical....." should appear.
4. Highlight any wording, e.g. "The site is currently", right click and choose Check4Change, then Custom... Set refresh interval between 2-10 seconds (I put 2 seconds), click "Bring to Front" under Notifications, and also click "Allow navigating away from a monitored page" under Problem Solvers". Click Ok.
5. The page will keep refreshing every few seconds until a change is noticed.
6. Repeat steps 3-4 for as many tabs as you want - around 5 seemed to be right. Too many is being selfish and will slow things down anyway, and too few will take longer. Good luck!
I can confim that this works!
I had 10 taps open with 1 second intervals on check4change and it took some minutes
It didn't take too long for me. Took around 15 minutes.
Good luck to the rest of you guys!
Worked for me here in Aus in about 15 min with 6 tabs open for 64 bit.
Thanks
Mick
"Error
The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day."
I've just done the check for change and multiple tabs, just wondering if it im doing it in vain or if it will actually work?
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/10/p...-key?cid=709226
Last edited by mikeyjames on 10 Jan 2009 - 13:00
Last edited by mikeyjames on 10 Jan 2009 - 12:58
Your first step should be to empty the cache and delete the cookies[more important] in your browser.
For Firefox: Click Tools>Options>Privacy>Settings and select cookies and click OK. Now click clear now in the privacy tab.
For Chrome: Just click the tool [Spanner] icon and select clear browsing data from menu. Please select cookies.
This is especially important if you get redirected to Windows 7 page or some page other than your Error/key page.
After that proceed with drewh's steps.
I would like to know that which country are the successfully download from?
I've been refresh for an hour, opened 15 tabs but still no luck....:-(
I've been played with MS for a day!
Thanks to all who suggested check4change!!
LINK DISPLAYS A BLANK PAGE NOW !! u know after so much hard work we get this !! i always wondered what would white color looks like ...... now i see it....he he
PS...they might be updating the page.....thats the positive
yeah error page is still there