Windows 7 Public Beta Build 7004 Screenshot

Microsoft’s Director of Development and Platform Strategy, Scott Wylie, wrote on his blog today about his experience with what he called a “pre-beta” build of Windows 7 - build 7004 and also included a screenshot.  On the blogosphere the general consensus has been that beta one would be build 7000.0.081212-1400 which the following screen shot from Scott’s laptop could indicate is inaccurate. The beta will not only be available in English language but also in localized editions.

Microsoft employees were given access to this build earlier this week and greeted with the following message:

Thank you for joining us on our shared journey to Windows 7. The work we’ve done is largely based on the feedback we’ve gotten from you before and throughout the development process. We rely on beta testers, like you, to help refine the product before it’s commercially released. If you haven’t already installed the Beta, we want you to! Please refer to the Installation Instructions to get started

On another note, Softpedia seems to believe that we can see the Public Beta being delivered as early as January 5th 2009, although the author does not cite any sources at all. Microsoft may opt to announce the Windows 7 Beta 1 on January 7, 2009 during Steve Ballmer’s CES keynote address for a lucky seven. Meanwhile, early word is still confirm that Windows 7 Beta 1 will be of build 7000, with the ISO image file possible has the name of 6000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_ ultimate-gb1cxfre_en_dvd.iso.

The final release of Windows 7 is expected to hit the shelves in November 2009.