ReutersSEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp said on Friday a version of its long awaited Windows 7 operating system will be made available from next week.
The version, known as a 'release candidate', or RC, essentially means the world's largest software company is in the final stages of completing the operating system, the successor to the unpopular Windows Vista.
Microsoft said the RC will be available for download by program developers and IT professionals subscribing to the MSDN and TechNet networks on April 30 and available more broadly on May 5.
The company has still not said when the finished version would begin to be installed on PCs or available to buy in shops, but the company's chief financial officer said on Thursday it could be as early as July.
Just in time!But let's not get the hopes up too fast either.
It's likely the July release would come out for companies to prepare their own fall line up of new models seeing Vista with the free upgrade option or even 7 preinstalled while still on retail shelves. That allows the companies time to see to all driver and prepackaged software options there.
Windows 7 Release Candidate Update - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog
Windows 7 Release Candidate Update
There certainly has been a lot of discussion about Windows 7 in the last few weeks. A lot of folks want to know when they can get their hands on the official RC, when we are going to RTM, and what I had for breakfast.
I’m pleased to share that the RC is on track for April 30th for download by MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Broader, public availability will begin on May 5th.
On behalf of everyone here, I would to thank all of our beta testers for helping us get to this point. You guys have been busy. At the peak of the feedback cycle, we were receiving a “Send Feedback” report every 15 seconds for an entire week. Since then, the engineering team has been busy analyzing the feedback, fixing bugs, and working hard to improve the overall experience. Many of your suggestions helped us refine the new and improved taskbar, the behavior of Aero Peek, Touch, Windows Media Player, and much more. In case you have missed the previous E7 blog entry outlining some of these changes in detail, you can read about them here and here.
Be sure to check back with us next week… And by the way, I had eggs for breakfast
erm, I've already seen that article, thanks. I didn't post it for that, I posted it for this: but the company's chief financial officer said on Thursday it could be as early as July.
For those wanting to pay out $349US for a Technet Plus subscription they get to... blah blah blah... Buy, Renew or Upgrade Your TechNet Plus Subscription
and of course download the RC1 on thursday.
For the rest who simply signed for testing it will be on the following tuesday being May 5th. If 7 was out in July why rush to pay for a subscription for just the RC alone when you'll paying that for the retail release anyways if the pricing is the same for 7? by simply waiting the additional 5 day wait?
The likelihood of the July time frame suggests oem out to HP, Dell, and others for preparation before any fall line up of new premade systems with 7 on them. That provides time for planning prepackages software options as well as the free upgrade offer being seen for Vista after July 1st.
Ya it seems like they will hand out OEM copies to big boys like Dell and Acer by July.
The success of Windows 7 will actually depend on how good it runs on these OEM computers as majority of people still uses a branded computer instead of custom build.
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