Software giant Microsoft has announced that it will release five updates for Windows 7 beta users, next week. The company declared that the updates will be released on February 24.

However, Microsoft clarified that the updates that it will release, will not really be the updates; instead they will be the patches to test the operating system's updating mechanism. Microsoft stressed that the updates will not actually add new features or update anything.

In a blog posting, Microsoft wrote, “The updates will be clearly described as a test update in Windows Update, and they will not install automatically. The updates will be offered interactively. This means that users will be notified of available updates, but they won’t install automatically. Users will need to go to the Windows Update control panel, select the updates, and manually start installation. These updates will simply replace system files with the same version of the file currently on the system, and will not deliver new features or fixes.”

Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft explained that these updates do not offer new features or bug fixes. The test updates will just replace system files with the same version of the file currently on the system.

In a blog posting Thursday, LeBlanc wrote, “Starting February 24, we will be releasing up to 5 test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) via Windows Update. These updates allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and manage the updating of Windows 7. We typically verify servicing scenarios during a beta.”

“Windows 7 Beta users will be notified that new updates are available beginning February 24 through Windows Update. Even if the user has Windows Update configured for automatic update - these test updates will not install automatically. Users will need to manually install the test updates through Windows Update,” LeBlanc added.