Some reports suggest that Windows 7 Build 6956 has been spotted in the wild i.e. leaked online in the form of Virtual Hard Disk image. This possibly is same build that will be shown in CES and whose new boot screen has been featured online.

Please note that downloading this is not legal.

Windows 7 beta (or beta 1) is possibly been released in January or February 2009 which Keith Comb has even mentioned in a comment on his TechNet blog (has since been removed) that “we (Microsoft) are targeting to have the DVD’s in the materials from 1/13/2009 on”. With the imminent arrival of Windows 7 beta 1 milestone build, any build version that is leaked or made know publicly can be of ‘beta quality’ (means can be released as beta build). Windows 7 build 6956, which is been showcased during WinHEC 2008 in Beijing recently, is one such candidate.

According to a participant, Edward_Han who managed to steal a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) image of Windows 7 Build 6956 out of WinHEC 2008, the build has the following features and enhancements (for complete Windows 7 features, see top 30 Windows 7 features or Windows 7 Reviewer’s Guide):

  1. Desktop font no longer has problem when using Desktop Slideshow as background wallpaper rotator.
  2. More Windows Aero features.
  3. A lot more new desktop background wallpapers.
  4. New Windows 7 start screen.
  5. Increase in the Windows Experience Index which is now ranging from 1.0 to 7.9, which can be hacked to change the score.

Source

Related posts:

  1. Microsoft Office 2010 (Beta 14.0.4536.1000) Details & Download Links
  2. Windows 64 bit is safer