When will you get Windows 7 RTM?

[z3r010]

When will I get Windows 7 RTM?

I recognize this is an important question to have answered. Many of you have said you want to know exactly when you will be able to get your hands on RTM. Last Monday, I gave an update on RTM to close out some myths. In that update, I also gave a broad timeline on when different groups of people – or “audiences” – would get the final RTM code.

While I have nothing new to add regarding RTM today, I do however have more precise information to give on when you will be able to get RTM. Again, when you can get RTM depends on who you are.

For Partners & OEMs:

ISV (Independent software vendor) and IHV (Independent hardware vendor) Partners will be able to download Windows 7 RTM from Microsoft Connect or MSDN on August 6th. There is already a lot of momentum from ISVs and IHVs in the ecosystem today for Windows 7 as Mike Nash blogged last week. If you are a partner who has been working on Windows 7 for a while, now is the time to complete your testing with final version of Windows 7. For partners that haven’t gotten started yet with Windows 7, now is the time to get involved. You can also visit www.readyset7.com to learn more about getting ready for Windows 7.

Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English through the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Portal on August 16th. By October 1st, the remaining languages will become available to download.

Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will be about to download Windows 7 RTM in English starting August 23rd. By October 1st, the remaining languages will become available to download.

OEMs will receive Windows 7 RTM software images beginning approximately 2 days after we officially RTM, as a little time is required to release and distribute these images. This will allow them to begin preparing images for new PCs to ship with Windows 7 on them. We know our OEMs are excited for Windows 7 and we can’t wait to hand them the final RTM bits!

For Business Customers:

If you are a Volume License (VL) customer with an existing Software Assurance (SA) licenseyou will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English starting August 7th via the Volume License Service Center (VLSC). The rest of the languages for Windows 7 RTM should be available within a couple of weeks after that.

Volume License customers without a SA license will be able to purchase Windows 7 through Volume Licensing on September 1st as we announced last week at WPC09. Mark these dates on your calendar and start making your deployment plans!

For IT Professionals:

There are a few ways you can get Windows 7 RTM. IT Professionals with TechNet Subscriptions will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.

IT Professionals at companies with Volume Licensing see above on how you can get Windows 7 RTM.

We have quite a bit of resources for IT Professionals to use to become experts on Windows 7 and to aid in their deployments. Those resources can be found at the Springboard Series.

For Developers:

Developers with MSDN Subscriptions will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.

To help developers who are developing applications for Windows 7 or updating existing applications to take advantage of new Windows 7 features, check out the Windows 7 for Developers Blog. Also, be sure to check out the Windows 7 Developers Guide on MSDN. Oh and there are also some fantastic videos on Channel 9 too!

For Beta Testers & Enthusiasts:

A special thank you to our beta testers is needed for their time and effort in helping make Windows 7 a solid release. The special pre-order offer we did offering Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional at almost 50% discount was done with our beta testers in mind. And many of you jumped at the chance to take advantage of this deal – thank you!

I know there have been some rumors going around about a “family pack” for Windows 7. We have heard a lot of feedback from beta testers and enthusiasts over the last 3 years that we need a better solution for homes with multiple PCs. I’m happy to confirm that we will indeed be offering a family pack of Windows 7 Home Premium (in select markets) which will allow installation on up to 3 PCs. As I’ve said before, stay tuned to our blog for more information on this and any other potential offers.

Beta testers will not automatically receive a free copy of Windows 7. Many beta testers are already subscribers to TechNet; those of you who fit that description will be able to download Windows 7 RTM shortly after RTM happens for free as part of your subscription.

However, if you don’t have TechNet and are waiting for GA (to either purchase Windows 7 or wait for your pre-order to arrive) you can continue to use the RC. In fact, you can continue to use it until it expires on June 1st, 2010 (expiration actually starts March 1, 2010, this is when the reboots start).

While our special pre-order offer with the near 50% has ended, Windows 7 can still be pre-ordered today from the various online retailers (including the Microsoft Store).

We are also going to release an evaluation of Windows 7 Professional for IT Professionals via the Springboard Series shortly after RTM. Over 40% of beta testers are IT Professionals and this will allow them to quickly access the RTM code and plan for deployments.

For Consumers:

Windows 7 will be in retail stores and shipping on new PCs starting October 22nd. If you pre-ordered Windows 7, it should be delivered sometime around the October 22nd timeframe (depends on the retailer).

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More...

 

[zrtom]

Thank you. This is the most definitive information we've gotten in a long while. Looks like August 6 for those of us on TechNet.
Tom

 

[X360]

can anyone buy a subscription to tech net what way does it work ? if i buy a subscription will i be able to get the rtm version on aug 6 with a legit key ? sorry if these questions are stupid i dont understand how it works thanks in advance

 

[Chrissy Poo]

Have a look here:
Buy, renew, or upgrade a TechNet Plus Subscription through Microsoft or a qualified reseller | TechNet Plus Subscriptions

TechNet Plus Direct £234 (Downloads Only)

This is per year I think.

 

[mikinho]

can anyone buy a subscription to tech net what way does it work ? if i buy a subscription will i be able to get the rtm version on aug 6 with a legit key ? sorry if these questions are stupid i dont understand how it works thanks in advance

Be aware that TechNet license keys are for development and test environments only. Unless otherwise specified in the EULA it would be considered piracy to install for personal or production use.

Please don't think I'm trying to enforce or be negative but a lot of people purchase TechNet or MSDN subscribtions without knowing that.

 

[pparks1]

Be aware that TechNet license keys are for development and test environments only. Unless otherwise specified in the EULA it would be considered piracy to install for personal or production use.

Good point.

I also love the people who take a copy from work and say, "I get it free from my job". I'm pretty sure their EA agreement doesn't pertain to employees home machines.

 

[X360]

so my question is can i buy a subscription to technet download the os on aug 6 and activate it and have a fully working copy for my pc and test stuff on it will this work ? will i be able to update the os ?

 

[Antman]

When will I get RTM? As soon as someone isn't looking.

August 7, actually. Billy Gordon Dickson's birthday. RIP "Flash" Gordon.

 

[mikinho]

so my question is can i buy a subscription to technet download the os on aug 6 and activate it and have a fully working copy for my pc and test stuff on it will this work ? will i be able to update the os ?

Yes. I believe you get 5 or 10 activations per key. Depending on your subscribtion you can request more keys and reset your activations as well.

 

[mikinho]

Good point.

I also love the people who take a copy from work and say, "I get it free from my job". I'm pretty sure their EA agreement doesn't pertain to employees home machines.

Some EAs (5 of the 7 I've been a part of) will actually allow for use of Microsoft Office on a single home computer and Forefront as well. BUt I've never seen OS volume licensing include home use.

Sorry to go off topic.

Edit: Here is a link to their Home Use Program: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/home-use-program.aspx

 

[pparks1]

Some EAs (5 of the 7 I've been a part of) will actually allow for use of Microsoft Office on a single home computer and Forefront as well. BUt I've never seen OS volume licensing include home use.

Yeah, my last job had the Home Use Program and I could get Office 2007 for $20. I still continued to use Open Office and spent my $20 elsewhere

 

[X360]

another question if i subscribe and get a key will this key expire after 1 year when my technet subscription runs out AND i dont renew it ?

 

[deltop]

another question if i subscribe and get a key will this key expire after 1 year when my technet subscription runs out AND i dont renew it ?

No. It won't expire.

 

[pparks1]

another question if i subscribe and get a key will this key expire after 1 year when my technet subscription runs out AND i dont renew it ?

Doesn't TechNet cost more than a license for Windows 7? Why would you get a TechNet subscription...do you seriously want to run the release just a few months sooner than everybody else that you are really willing to pay extra for it?????

 

[darkassain]

cool cant wait till Aug 6....

 

[deltop]

Doesn't TechNet cost more than a license for Windows 7? Why would you get a TechNet subscription...do you seriously want to run the release just a few months sooner than everybody else that you are really willing to pay extra for it?????

With Technet you get access to pretty much all of Microsoft's software and you can get upto 10 keys for each one. Each with multiple activations.

That's WindowsXP, XP 64bit, Vista (all flavours), Office 2003/2007, and soon Windows 7. And the rest.

So if you have a number of pc's/laptops/netbooks in your house... well you do the maths.

MS know full well why many people buy their subs and it's go nothing to do with "testing". It's a case of don't tell and they won't ask.

 

[X360]

no i want the release and i am one of those people with no patients unfortunately i mean if i gonna get a sub for £234 and download it and have a working key that activate s win 7 then why not do that rather than waiting another 3 months for the official release

Doesn't TechNet cost more than a license for Windows 7? Why would you get a TechNet subscription...do you seriously want to run the release just a few months sooner than everybody else that you are really willing to pay extra for it?????

 

[pparks1]

With Technet you get access to pretty much all of Microsoft's software and you can get upto 10 keys for each one. Each with multiple activations.

Gotcha. I just don't use too much MS softwareat home and what I do use is usually licensed with the computer or an OS that I bought separately. I work as a systems admin/engineer...so I get all of the test loads of SQL, Exchange, etc that I need at work.

 

[Muad Dib]

Doesn't TechNet cost more than a license for Windows 7? Why would you get a TechNet subscription...do you seriously want to run the release just a few months sooner than everybody else that you are really willing to pay extra for it?????

1 pc
Windows 7 Ultimate + MS Office 2007 Pro Plus

If you use and need those 2 alone... well anything else you may need/want is a bonus.

If you have more than 1 PC ......

 

[poin2]

Doesn't TechNet cost more than a license for Windows 7? Why would you get a TechNet subscription...do you seriously want to run the release just a few months sooner than everybody else that you are really willing to pay extra for it?????

Yes, someone could probably have gotten several Home Premium upgrades for less.

But especially for those in IT fields (or with a major tech interest, or who are tech students, etc.) it's worthwhile to get official stuff in advance and play around with it and not have to worry about things like 30 day expirations. There should be access to the upcoming Office 2010, too. And it's a way to play around with multiple pieces of software on multiple computers to see how they're able to interact, or if you'd recommend maybe switching to an older version of Office in the workplace, etc.