Microsoft's Windows 7 beta has been on torrents since a couple weeks ago, but last week at the Consumer Electronics Show 2009 in Las Vegas, the Windows 7 beta went official and was released to the general public.  Initially, there were 2.5 million copies available for download.  The public went wild with enthusiasm, racing to download copies, placing so much strain on Microsoft's servers that they crashed. 

Rather than responding by further limiting downloads, Microsoft decided the wild demand is a good thing and it has moved in the opposite direction, dropping the download limit entirely.  Says Microsoft Windows communications manager Brandon LeBlanc, "Due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience.  During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds 2.5 million."

Users can now download and test as many copies of the Windows 7 beta as they want.  The beta brings many improvements over Vista's user interface, including jump lists, a revamped task bar, and easier networking.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer could not hide his enthusiasm for the product at CES 2009, stating, "We are on track to deliver the best version of Windows ever. We're putting in all the right ingredients -- simplicity, reliability and speed, and working hard to get it right, and to get it ready."

In addition to an improved user interface, Steve Ballmer says that Windows 7 "should boot more quickly, have longer battery life, and fewer alerts."

Microsoft is hoping the excitement surrounding Windows 7 will reinvigorate its sales.  Microsoft saw its operating system market share drop below 90 percent for the first time in many years, while Apple's OS market share, fueled by strong sales continued to grow, almost reaching 10 percent, according to a recent survey by Net Applications.