Microsoft has released an application compatibility patch via Windows Update for the beta operating systems it released to the public.The patch resolves “issues with non-compatible applications” .

Judging by these two updates released, Microsoft is progressing nicely, and the most recent update targets mainly games that did not run before hand, or had to be opened via compatibility-mode. Interestingly, Microsoft didn’t state which applications were targeted in this update, but it is of no doubt that users will find out soon enough.

After the official announcement about the various editions of Windows 7 by Microsoft two days back,their has been news about the pricing of the different versions of Windows 7.

According to the German Website Windows Secrets the different versions of Windows 7 would cost between $199.95 and $ 319.95,though Microsoft has not published any news about the same.

The Starter Edition of Windows 7 is valued at $199,95 which would be available worldwide. The Starter Edition of Windows 7 wouldn’t be available in stores, but exclusively through OEM partners.

Windows 7 Starter :  $199,95

Windows 7 Home Premium : $259,95

Windows 7 Professional : $299,95

Windows 7 Ultimate : $319,95

Windows 7 Enterprise : Unknown

Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows® 7 enables IT administrators to manage roles and features that are installed on computers that are running Windows Server® 2008 R2, Windows Server® 2008, or Windows Server® 2003, from a remote computer that is running Windows 7.It includes support for remote management of computers that are running either the Server Core or full installation options of Windows Server 2008 R2, and for some roles and features, Windows Server 2008. Some roles and features on Windows Server 2003 can be managed remotely by using Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7, although the Server Core installation option is not available with the Windows Server 2003 operating system.

Uxevangelist came across the newer builds of Windows 7, they are Windows 7 Beta Build 7015 and Windows 7 Build 7016.These screenshots in these builds are dated as 1/12/2009.

Screenshots of Windows 7 Beta Build 7015 and Windows 7 Build 7016

Windows 7 Build 7015 - 7015.fbl_multimedia_media.090104-1750 (build string)

Windows 7 Build 7016 - 7016.fbl_multimedia_me(dia) (build string)

Windows 7 beta is avaiable for download to public as promised by CEO Steve Ballmer at CES 2009. It is only available to the first 2.5 million people who download it, so make sure to get your hands on it as soon as you can.

The beta is available in English (32-bit and 64-bit), German (32-bit and 64-bit), Japanese (32-bit and 64-bit), Arabic (32-bit and 64-bit), and Hindi (32-bit). Once you have the .iso image downloaded, I recommend you use IMGBurn to burn it to a DVD. The beta supports clean installs and Windows Vista SP1 to Windows 7 upgrades. You can only install the Ultimate edition. You should receive a beta key by e-mail sometime after you download the build. Microsoft gives the following minimum hardware recommendations for the Windows 7 Beta (and notes that they can change before the final):

    * Processor: 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
    * Memory: 1 GB of system memory
    * Hard drive: 16 GB of available disk space
    * Video card: Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
    * Drive: DVD-R/W drive
    * Internet connection (to download the Beta and get updates)