Windows 7 - Windows 7 Build 70XX Roadmap: RC Next, Then RTM and GA

With Windows 7 available as a public download since January 10, 2009, Microsoft has now moved onward into the Release Candidate-branch of the operating system. Revealing that it is receiving feedback from millions of copies of Windows 7 installed worldwide, the Redmond company said that the next development milestone of the operating system would in fact be extremely close to the gold version that Microsoft would release to consumers. Following Beta Build 7000, the software giant will make available Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC).

“This release will be Windows 7 as we intend to ship it,” revealed Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group. “We will continue to listen to feedback and telemetry with the focus on addressing only the most critical issues that arise. We will be very clear in communicating any changes that have a visible impact on the product. This release allows the whole ecosystem to reach a known state together and make sure that we are all ready together for the Release to Manufacturing. Once we get to RC, the whole ecosystem is in “dress rehearsal” mode for the next steps.”