Microsoft delays first Windows 7 public beta

By Gavin Clarke in San Francisco

Microsoft has postponed broad availability of the first Windows 7 beta in order to keep up with anticipated download demand.

A Microsoft spokeswoman has confirmed that the sites saw unusually heavy traffic this morning.

Microsoft said Friday afternoon, though, that it's adding additional infrastructure - likely meaning servers - to Microsoft.com before it posts the beta. The Microsoft Windows blog said it's adding additional infrastructure to "ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta".

Wrong kind of demand: Windows 7 first beta subject to delay

Microsoft says there have been no problems with downloads on TechNet or MSDN and it insists the public beta was never posted. That download page has now been updated to say "Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 beta. As Anderson noted, this sounds like Microsoft is implementing OpenID for federated single sign-on to web services using Windows 7.

The beta process designed to thrash features and also take feedback on potential additions - although such additions are rare as much of the fundamental build work is considered finished by beta-test time.