RTM vs Retail

OK, if RTM and Retail is exactly the same, then I have another dumb question.
What does Microsoft then do in the months between RTM-release and Retail release? If they found some bugs, would they not fix them then?
I must say, like Burgurne, that I'm confused about this.

I now ask a question, that I'm not quite sure is OK here, but I don't want to harm anybody.
Lordbo75 wrote If you mean now, then yes. You can get the builds from wherever, but when it is released, make sure you buy it .

Does that mean it is OK to find a leaked RTM version (if you can find a cd-key, as I guess the RC-keys will not work). I thought that was illegal! I can't go and buy a RTM, and the Retail is not for sale for some month yet, so now I'm confused.

Sven said:

OK, if RTM and Retail is exactly the same, then I have another dumb question.
What does Microsoft then do in the months between RTM-release and Retail release? If they found some bugs, would they not fix them then?
I must say, like Burgurne, that I'm confused about this.

I now ask a question, that I'm not quite sure is OK here, but I don't want to harm anybody.
Lordbo75 wrote If you mean now, then yes. You can get the builds from wherever, but when it is released, make sure you buy it .

Does that mean it is OK to find a leaked RTM version (if you can find a cd-key, as I guess the RC-keys will not work). I thought that was illegal! I can't go and buy a RTM, and the Retail is not for sale for some month yet, so now I'm confused.

Fixes would be released in patches on Patch Tuesday unless they were critical. Windows 7 Installer can check for install updates too, as started with Vista (Dynamic Updates). There may be updates ready in Windows update the day you install Windows 7 that were found between now and then. RTM is the "Golden Build" and will remain untouched until they release the next interim Windows 7 release, which would prob be Windows 7 SP1.

Sven said:

I now ask a question, that I'm not quite sure is OK here, but I don't want to harm anybody.
Lordbo75 wrote If you mean now, then yes. You can get the builds from wherever, but when it is released, make sure you buy it .

Does that mean it is OK to find a leaked RTM version (if you can find a cd-key, as I guess the RC-keys will not work). I thought that was illegal! I can't go and buy a RTM, and the Retail is not for sale for some month yet, so now I'm confused.

Erhm.... Yes and No. You CAN use it if you have a purchased CD key. But since that would cost the same, you may as well buy it from a store.

~Lordbob

Sven said:

OK, if RTM and Retail is exactly the same, then I have another dumb question.
What does Microsoft then do in the months between RTM-release and Retail release? If they found some bugs, would they not fix them then?
I must say, like Burgurne, that I'm confused about this.

I now ask a question, that I'm not quite sure is OK here, but I don't want to harm anybody.
Lordbo75 wrote If you mean now, then yes. You can get the builds from wherever, but when it is released, make sure you buy it .

Does that mean it is OK to find a leaked RTM version (if you can find a cd-key, as I guess the RC-keys will not work). I thought that was illegal! I can't go and buy a RTM, and the Retail is not for sale for some month yet, so now I'm confused.

The time between RTM and GA (General Availability) is used to manufacture to Millions of DVDs that need to get to the retail outlets. If a showstopper bug is found after RTM, a fix will be available via a patch for the retail product.

To answer your other question, I will use the following example:

I have a retail copy of Vista Ultimate. When SP1 and SP2 were released, I downloaded versions that had the SPs already slipstreamed, as it is my preferred method up upgrading to the newest SP. My key is legal, so I have no problem downloading these builds. I check the hashes with known sources.

PhreePhly

Remember any version of Windows (Vista or Windows 7) is ok to install and use without a key for 30 without an activation. You then also have the option of rearm so technically you have kind of 120 days.
not totally sure of the legalities but you are never going to be prosecuted if you are not using an illegal key. 120 is going to give you plenty of time untill release so you can then go and buy.

OK, so you mean I can install Windows 7 WITHOUT having a CD-key?? I have never had Vista, so I don't know about this, but XP could not be installed without a key.
And if XP was not activated, then I could not use Windows update, as it could not validate my legallity.
How about running Windows 7 RTM without a CD-key then? Will Windows update work on this?

Phreephly I see your example, but you then have a legal cd-key, which I of course don't have for Windows 7 (yet), but if your example is legal, then this is what I am going to do from now on. I'm then finished slipstreaming cd's/dvd's myself from a way outdated OS (my org. XP-cd is from before SP1 for XP was released)

Studulike said:

Remember any version of Windows (Vista or Windows 7) is ok to install and use without a key for 30 without an activation. You then also have the option of rearm so technically you have kind of 120 days.
not totally sure of the legalities but you are never going to be prosecuted if you are not using an illegal key. 120 is going to give you plenty of time untill release so you can then go and buy.

Microsoft is the one that implemented the rearm functionality, they even tell you how to do it on their site... It's not illegal :)

Sven said:

...

Phreephly I see your example, but you then have a legal cd-key, which I of course don't have for Windows 7 (yet), but if your example is legal, then this is what I am going to do from now on. I'm then finished slipstreaming cd's/dvd's myself from a way outdated OS (my org. XP-cd is from before SP1 for XP was released)

The only caveat is that you must make sure that the ISO you are downloading hasn't been altered. I know a number of folks with MSDN/TechNet accounts, so they can provide me the file hashes that I need.

If you download an iso with a rootkit built in, you will never get rid of it.

PhreePhly

PhreePhly said:

The only caveat is that you must make sure that the ISO you are downloading hasn't been altered. I know a number of folks with MSDN/TechNet accounts, so they can provide me the file hashes that I need.

If you download an iso with a rootkit built in, you will never get rid of it.

PhreePhly

Just to let you know PhreePhly you can sign up for a free TechNet account and view the hashes yourself :)