If you're like me ... You took advantage of the Windows 7 RC free download and install. Especially with the large bold promise that it would work until June 1st 2010. Recently I received a popup that stated that the RC would actually start expiring on March 1st. I followed up with a Google search, and found what I was looking for:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd353205.aspx

Watch the calendar: 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. (Learn more about installing Windows).

Yes you read that correctly: "Two hour reboots". As a Microsoft partner with my IT company Ideal Technologies LLC I find it a little disheartening that we would be told it works until 6/1/2010 and then with a two week warning ... We are told that the product is expiring. Yes I'm sure that it was written there when I downloaded the RC, BUT it would have been nice for Microsoft to let us know that the expiration date was more like March instead of instituting rolling reboots.

If you are also like me and you've fallen in love with Windows 7, but are short on cash.... Never fear! I have a solution for you. Visit Newegg.com and buy OEM. What's OEM? I'll tell you guys on my personal blog in the next could of days: http://crimm.me, so keep an eye out for it if you are unsure.

What are you doing sitting there? Get out there and go buy Windows 7!