Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Sunday, 07 December 2008 09:05
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Wow – the Internet sure works fast. Only yesterday did the news come
through that Windows 7 build 6956 was leaked as a VHD from China’s
Microsoft WinHEC conference. “Chinese hackers” promised to convert the
VHD into an installable ISO, and within 24 hours, it has happened - and
is eagerly being illegally downloaded worldwide!
First came the news that “
Windows 7 build 6956 leaks to web as a VHD”, with the promise that “Chinese hackers” would convert it to an ISO.
Then came the news that “
Detailed Windows 7 6956 VHD installation instructions emerge”.
Now comes the news that the hackers have indeed
succeeded at converting the VHD file into an ISO, thanks to “MyDigitalLife” (MDL).
The MDL site tells us that “Developers in China has managed to install Windows 7 build 6956, clean the extra user accounts, run the Sysprep utility to generalize, clean and re-initialize the system to factory state, and then uses ImageX to capture and create Windows image (.wim file format) consisting of only Windows 7 build 6956 installation files under WinPE environment.
“Then, the created install.wim file is used to replace and overwrite the same file in Windows 7 build 6801 installation DVD image (the latest build which has setup DVD image leaks).”
So, the Windows 6801 installation environment is being used to host the 6956 build files, and while MDL says that “6801” notice is still displayed in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, a quick look at the properties of the “Computer” icon will show that you’re really running 6956.
Presumably the fact that the build is reportedly faster than 6801, and has the “superbar” and other “Blue Badge Tool” features already enabled suggests that it really is 6956 and not a hacked 6801.
There is speculation that this build is the one that will end up being the official Windows 7 beta, due for demonstration by Steve Ballmer on January 7 at the pre-CES keynote that previously belonged to Bill Gates, and which is meant to be available on January 13, if not earlier.
Please read on to page 2.
