Windows 7 RCs Shut Down To Force Updates

nk497 writes "The release candidate for Microsoft Windows 7 will expire June 2010, and the software giant will let users know they need to pay to upgrade by shutting down the system every two hours for three months. According to Microsoft: "The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use.""

Comments

Windows 7 has become...

[Publikwerks]

WindowsME

Three months!

[Altreus]

You all seem to be missing the point that MS will start shutting down your computer every two hours three months *before* your trial period expires.

So what this means is that Microsoft is exercising its power to turn off your computer at will while you are still within the period in which you are entitled to be using it.

Start turning the PC off afterwards, sure. But not before.

Continuing the trend of poor analogies: that's like them kicking you out of your rent-free house twelve times a day for a quarter of your tenancy period.

and Microsoft rewards the testers.

[purpleraison]

How generous, Microsoft enlists people to test their next OS, and instead of being rewarded those poor souls get screwed.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Microsoft is trying to get its cake and eat it too.

This is news?

[jtownatpunk.net]

Why the F is this on the front page (or any page) of a geek news aggregation site. If you couldn't figure this out based on the information provided by Microsoft (long before you download/install/use/etc.) Windows 7, you've got no business being near a keyboard. Stand up and take two steps back. How much did IT Pro have to pay to get this piece of crap on the front page of slashdot? I hope it was a lot.

Re:Crackfix please

[sexconker]

This is /. dude.
MS is shit.
MS is insecure.
Year of the Linux Desktop!
FUCK OFF, PUPPY, GOOGLE IS MY BEST FRIEND NOW.

Re:Crackfix please

[thePowerOfGrayskull]

Piracy is nothing more than selfish humans leeching other people's work and not wanting to lose the free ride.

Modern copyright law is nothing more than selfish and greedy middlemen not wanting to lose their free ride.

And apparently, "paying for goods and services rendered" is an outdated way of consuming.

Same old same old

[Risen888]

Dear Windows users,
Why do you put up with this shit?

Sincerely,
Linux users

Irrelevant

[discordant999]

Why does this matter you have to format and reinstall windows every 3-6 months anyway to clear all the malware worms and the porn that you are even ashamed of

Re:Crackfix please

[Khyber]

Their EULA can't supercede law, even if you knowingly agree to it.

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/1030_new.html

(8) the term 'damage' means any impairment to the integrity or availability of data, a program, a system, or information;

BY LAW THEY CANNOT DO IT AS PER THAT DEFINITION. They shouldn't even be allowed to design it like that.