Microsoft Sets Unlimited Download Of Windows 7 Beta

January 12, 2009 11:45 p.m. EST

Redmond, WA (AHN) - Microsoft Corp. has reset the number of downloads to its Windows 7 Beta from 2.5 million to unlimited to accommodate more PC users who want to try the new operating system.

The software giant made the move Saturday in response to an overwhelming demand for the trial version of Windows 7 that overwhelmed its servers. The company's website crashed on Friday when it rolled out Widows 7 Beta after it was swamped by millions of visitors seeking to download the program.

"We didn't quite anticipate the demand that we saw," Laurence Painell, product manager at Microsoft, told BBC News. Painell said they were only expecting IT and corporate people to download it.

The new operating system apparently is more attractive than its predecessor, the Windows Vista, as the new version requires lesser PC resources.

The unlimited download of Windows 7 Beta will last for two weeks, according to Microsoft.