Starting February 24, Microsoft will be releasing up to 5 test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) via Windows Update. These updates allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and manage the updating of Windows 7. We typically verify servicing scenarios during a beta.
Windows 7 Beta users will be notified that new updates are available beginning February 24 through Windows Update. Even if the user has Windows Update configured for automatic update – these test updates will not install automatically. Users will need …

If you’re running the Windows 7 Beta you might have already noticed 3 new Windows Games for Windows 7.
Internet Backgammon:
Internet Checkers:
Internet Spades:
These games were well liked in Windows XP. Due to the amount of requests we received, we are bringing them back!
The new versions of these games have been completely redesigned and improved over their old-school predecessors. With each game, you can:

Play online against human opponents (up to 4 players at the same time with Internet Spades). …

The Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant 6.5 (Beta) installs the Windows Live ID online provider for Windows 7. This provider enables linking a Windows Live ID to a Windows 7 user account.
The Windows Live™ ID Sign-in Assistant 6.5 (Beta) installs the Windows Live ID online provider for Windows® 7. By making it possible to link a Windows Live ID to a Windows 7 user account, this online provider helps enable Windows 7 applications to deliver great features like sharing documents, pictures, music, and video.
Benefits Through …

Tip 12: Install Windows 7 Alongside Windows Vista for a Dual Boot System
It’s always a bit tricky to beta test a new operating system. Most of us don’t have an abundance of extra hardware just sitting around, and it can be both time consuming and risky to rebuild your production machine with a pre-release version of the next OS.
But with Windows 7, it’s pretty easy to beta test on the machine you’ve already got. Hard drives have gotten much larger and much less expensive, and if you’re running Windows …

Tip 11: Turn Off Security Messages and Other System Notifications in Windows 7
Windows Vista is constantly giving me security alerts that I don’t want to see. For instance, I intentionally have Automatic Updates and the Windows Firewall disabled on one of my systems, and every day Windows Vista finds it necessary to bring this to my attention. Fortunately, Windows 7 gives you more control over the Security Messages and other Notifications that you may or may not want to receive.
For starters, you can configure how notifications are handled …

Tip 10: Use Windows 7 to Manage Windows Server 2008 R2 Servers
You can easily manage your Windows 2008 R2 servers from a PC running Windows 7 beta 1. But first you’ll need to download the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 7, which you can get here.
Here’s an overview of the tools you’ll get in this download:
Server Administration Tools

Server Manager

Role Administration Tools

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) Tools
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Tools
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) Tools
DHCP Server Tools
DNS Server …

In Windows Vista, we introduced the Games Explorer. This is the place where you can launch and manage your games, including built-in Windows games such as Solitaire and Chess Titans, and also PC games such as Games for Windows (and Games for Windows – LIVE) titles.
In Windows 7, we are introducing new functionality to Games Explorer that we think people will enjoy. These new features in Games Explorer can not only be appreciated by the casual gamer looking to play one of Windows 7’s many built-in games, but also …

Hack7mc has posted a guide to change the Windows 7 Media Center Background.
Although not officially a part of the Media Center software, there is a way to do it. It’s not the easiest thing in the world as it involves applying a new registry file and editing permissions. But if those sorts of things are second nature to you, it’s definitely worth checking out the tutorial on this hack.

If you want to get even crazier, there’s also a guide available on making new, complete themes for Media Center …

Yesterday at Mobile World Congress 2009, Microsoft announced an amazing line-up of partners who will be supporting Mobile Broadband enhancements in Windows 7. These partners include: 

Acer
Asus
Birdstep Technology
Dell
Ericsson
HP
Fujitsu Siemens Computers
Huawei Communications Technologies
Option
Qualcomm
Sierra Wireless
Smith Micro
T-Mobile International
ZTE

Windows 7’s Mobile Broadband enhancements give people a more reliable way to connect to the Internet using a wireless modem. Taking advantage of this feature is just like connecting to any other wireless network, and is done using the View Available Networks …

Microsoft is apparently working on the Release Candidate version of Windows 7.
Geeksmack reports through the unnamed sources that the Windows 7 RC build has already been compiled by Microsoft. The Build number is 7048 and the complete build string is 7048.winmain_win7rc1.090211-1625 which clearly states that the build is RC 1 and was compiled on 9th Feb 2009 .
If the information from the source is correct then we could see the public version of Windows 7 RC soon.We already knew that Microsoft has already working on Windows 7 Build …