Detailed Windows 7 6956 VHD installation instructions emerge

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Saturday, 06 December 2008 17:44

Opinion and Analysis

Have you illegally downloaded the leaked Windows 7 6956 build, which is a VHD instead of an installable ISO, and are now wondering how to install it? Amazingly, hours after the leak went online, detailed instructions are now available.

Well, let me first start by saying iTWire doesn’t condone any form of piracy, and doesn’t recommend you download anything illegal, ever.

Update: a new story on the VHD being successfully converted to an ISO is now on page 2!

I certainly haven’t downloaded the Windows 7 6956 build, a VHD file stolen by from Microsoft WinHEC conference currently being held in China. Reports say it is 1.8GB in size, and requires a bit of fiddling around to install, as we’ve seen online.

“Chinese hackers” are said to be figuring out how to get the VHD into an ISO, with the words “Chinese hacker” worrying me due to the ability to install rootkits, malware or other crimeware into the system if they wanted to.

On top of that, the official Windows 7 beta is due on January 13, according to a Microsoft blog, and as I’m a very happy user of the Windows 7 pre-beta with the Blue Badge tool unlocking the hidden features, there’s no particular rush, even though it certainly would be nice to see Microsoft’s latest and greatest before we’re actually meant to.

Only hours ago, I wrote an article called “Windows 7 build 6956 leaks to web as a VHD".

Well, we live in an instant, Internet connected world, and while those “Chinese Hackers” don’t seem to have been able to craft an ISO for people to download, it should come as no surprise that detailed instructions have emerged on “How to Upgrade Install to Windows 7 Build 6956 with VHD Image in Clean State”.

These instructions come from the MyDigitalLife website, which offers two different methods of installation along with troubleshooting instructions.

More info (including the new 6956 ISO) on page 2, please read on!