Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7 seems to have caught the interest of many readers. Perhaps, it’s the fact that the company is not charging for the software. Or, it could be people are tired of Windows XP. Whatever your reasons for wanting to try this release candidate, there are some important issues you should consider.

What’s a Release Candidate (RC)?

The first item to understand is Windows 7 RC1 is a “release candidate”. This is a defined stage in most software development cycles as shown in the picture below. In Microsoft’s case, thousands of people have tested this software.

The company has triaged the bugs and all known “show-stopper” bugs have been fixed. If the software passes internal quality testing, it next gets “released to manufacturing”. Unlike beta builds, I would not expect Microsoft to provide new releases except for the regular monthly updates.

The release candidate version you download may not be the same as the boxed software you can buy from your favorite computer retailer in the future. The RC1 version is Windows 7 Ultimate. This is the top of the line edition which may be overkill for personal use.

Although the RC version is more stable and complete than beta releases, there is still risk. You may want to read an earlier article I wrote that includes 10 questions to ask before installing alpha software as many still apply.

Software May Not Play Nice with Others

Depending on your computer you’ve probably added software and hardware. Each of those vendors should be doing their own testing for Windows 7. It’s possible these companies may not have drivers or updates for this new operating system. As example, my preferred anti-virus program doesn’t have a version yet. These issues eventually resolve themselves, but it may take time before everything works smoothly. This was a frustrating issue for early Microsoft Vista users.

Before installing Windows 7, I would encourage you to install the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. This is a software program that creates a report indicating possible issues. You can see an example from one of my computers. When you run this software, remember to plug in any hardware you normally use.

Time Investment

Realistically, you’re going to have to spend time setting up your computer with this OS. The time will vary based on your configuration. In my case, I did a clean install on a new Asus netbook that I don’t use for production purposes. If I needed to revert, I could use the netbook’s installation CD. Even in my easy scenario, I spent time reinstalling software. In some cases, I had to install the software using compatibility mode.

In contrast, I anticipate setting up Windows 7 on my 5-year old desktop running XP will take longer. Before starting, you should read Ed Bott’s article on Windows 7 Setup Secrets. This article highlights items he’s learned from setting up Windows 7 on many systems.

Is Windows 7 RC Worth It

If you have an extra computer you don’t use for “mission critical” work, you might consider installing the release candidate to get acquainted. There are some items you should be aware of before committing.

1. You need to be able to burn an ISO file to a CD.

2. The program does not include a mail program. If needed, you can download Windows Live Mail.

3. The software is set to expire June 10, 2010. In March, the software will start prompting you with shutdown notices. By then you should have had ample time to figure if you want buy the program or switch to another operating system.

4. You need to backup your system first. Although you may be tempted to bypass this step, don’t. If you’re not sure how to do this, Microsoft has a page outlining how to do backups based on your operating system.

I have to say that I’m pleased with Windows 7. I believe most people will see improvements over Windows XP and Vista in performances and features. I won’t say the program is “groundbreaking”, nor did I expect it to be. It’s exceedingly hard to break new ground without breaking older stuff people need and want. The challenge has always been to maintain backward compatibility so consumers and enterprises don’t throw a hissy fit. My first take is Microsoft has succeeded, but I still have more testing to do.

Additional Microsoft Windows 7 RC1 Resources

• Microsoft Windows 7 Product Page
• Microsoft Windows 7 RC1 Installation instructions