The Download Squad guys spotted the Windows 7 beta ISO file, which had been leaked on torrent sites. Paul Thurrott noticed that the Windows 7 beta ISO file was actually the Windows 7 M1 build (7000). This new build reportedly has a better memory usage ability and performs a bit better than the earlier 6801 build.

 

 

Microsoft is expected to ship the Windows 7 beta version in mid January. However, naughty beta testers have already released the Windows 7 beta ISO on the torrent sites. It's not the first time that Microsoft has experienced such software leaks; it has been fighting against leaks and piracy for a while now.

 

The highlights of the new Windows 7 beta are the redesigned icon-based taskbar, gesture-based windows organizing feature, Aero Snap, Aero Peek to check what was on the desktop previously, and other performance-driven features.

 

View a gallery full of Windows 7 beta screen shots by Thurrott here and by ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes here. Check out Thurrott's lengthy review of Windows 7 beta and read Kingsley-Hughes' review as well.