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The wait is over; Microsoft has some news for all of you out there that are participating in the Windows 7 beta.  Starting February 24th, Microsoft will start rolling out a series of updates for the fledgling operating system that do…absolutely nothing.  You heard me correctly, these will be updates that do not add any new features or fixes to Windows 7, but simply test its ability to handle updates.

Starting on February 24th we will be offering some test updates to Windows 7 Beta (build 7000) computers. We do typically verify update scenarios during a Beta, and releasing these test updates will help ensure that when we need to release real updates, the process will run smoothly. There will be at most five updates. These updates test the Windows 7 servicing infrastructure. They will not deliver any new features or fixes.

On the plus side of things, the February 24th updates will not be automatically installed, but rather notify the users that they are available.  Based on the fact that this is a Beta, Microsoft would probably be much obliged if you would mosey on over to the Windows Update control panel and manually start the installs. Any users who would rather stick it to the man will be able to hide the update prompts by right-clicking each update, and then selecting the “Hide update” option. For anyone who thought that Microsoft was going to stealthily update the Windows 7 Beta into RC1; consider your hopes dashed, at least temporarily.

Read [Microsoft Update Product Team Blog]