Microsoft to release version of Windows 7 next week

[Airbot]

SEATTLE (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.

Reuters

 

[Night Hawk]

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.

 

[kpo6969]

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

 

[Airbot]

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.

 

[kpo6969]

You can delete it then if not in the flow of the thread. Sorry

 

[Dinesh]

Hi Airbot, do you have any idea when'll be the final release of Windows 7.

 

[Airbot]

You can delete it then if not in the flow of the thread. Sorry

It's fine, I know it's the same old information, I just thought that little bit was interesting.


I wouldn't know dinesh, I don't get Microsoft insider information. You're guess would be as good as mine.

 

[kpo6969]

It's fine, I know it's the same old information, I just thought that little bit was interesting.


I wouldn't know dinesh, I don't get Microsoft insider information. You're guess would be as good as mine.

This is true, July a bit earlier than I would of thought

 

[Night Hawk]

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.

 

[Dinesh]

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.

 

[Orbital Shark]

With the integration of so many new device drivers even over the last 2/3 build (7068, 7077 & 7100) there should be little left that won't actually work. Or so you would think

 

[neozm]

Hi huys here is the Windows 7 Release shedule:

Windows 7 FAQ first posted
February 14, 2007
Windows 7 multi-touch features revealed
December 2007
Windows 7 M1 (Build 5619) revealed
January 2008
Windows 7 multi-touch features first demonstrated
May 28, 2008
Windows 7 M3 builds (67xx/68xx) begin leaking
September 2008
Microsoft announces Windows 7 branding
October 13, 2008
PDC 2008 and M3 build
October 27, 2008
Windows 7 Beta
January 2008
Windows 7 build 7022
January 15, 2009
Windows 7 build 7032
January 29, 2009
Windows 7 product editions revealed
February 3, 2009
Windows 7 build 7057
March 5, 2009
Windows 7 build 7068
March 21, 2009
Windows 7 build trunck split for RC (70xx) and RTM (71xx) branches
Early April 2009
Windows 7 build 7106
April 6, 2009
Windows 7 build 7077
April 7, 2009
Windows 7 Release Candidate
April 21, 2009
Windows 7 RC build number (7100) revealed
April 23, 2009
First Windows 7 RC screenshots appear
April 24, 2009
Windows 7 RC goes to MSDN and TechNet
April 30, 2009
Windows 7 RC public release
May 5, 2009
Windows 7 RTM
Expected July 2009
Windows 7 General Availability
Expected September 2009

 

[partouch]

A question

Do you think it will be worth upgrading from 7077 to the official RC1 ? ( I've just installed it this week..)

 

[jfar]

Hi huys here is the Windows 7 Release shedule:

Windows 7 FAQ first posted
February 14, 2007
Windows 7 multi-touch features revealed
December 2007
Windows 7 M1 (Build 5619) revealed
January 2008
Windows 7 multi-touch features first demonstrated
May 28, 2008
Windows 7 M3 builds (67xx/68xx) begin leaking
September 2008
Microsoft announces Windows 7 branding
October 13, 2008
PDC 2008 and M3 build
October 27, 2008
Windows 7 Beta
January 2008
Windows 7 build 7022
January 15, 2009
Windows 7 build 7032
January 29, 2009
Windows 7 product editions revealed
February 3, 2009
Windows 7 build 7057
March 5, 2009
Windows 7 build 7068
March 21, 2009
Windows 7 build trunck split for RC (70xx) and RTM (71xx) branches
Early April 2009
Windows 7 build 7106
April 6, 2009
Windows 7 build 7077
April 7, 2009
Windows 7 Release Candidate
April 21, 2009
Windows 7 RC build number (7100) revealed
April 23, 2009
First Windows 7 RC screenshots appear
April 24, 2009
Windows 7 RC goes to MSDN and TechNet
April 30, 2009
Windows 7 RC public release
May 5, 2009
Windows 7 RTM
Expected July 2009
Windows 7 General Availability
Expected September 2009

Thanks neozm.

 

[Maka]

Do you think it will be worth upgrading from 7077 to the official RC1 ? ( I've just installed it this week..)

Yep

 

[partouch]

Yep

Bummer..Downloading the OS again and all the programs..sigh. Guess i can't back up all the installed programs on my 7077 with Ghost and bring them all back on the official RC right...?

 

[Maka]

Bummer..Downloading the OS again and all the programs..sigh. Guess i can't back up all the installed programs on my 7077 with Ghost and bring them all back on the official RC right...?

I would think you could.

 

[partouch]

I would think you could.

Really you would ? In that case do have any idea on how to do it ?

 

[Maka]

Really you would ? In that case do have any idea on how to do it ?

No i dont use it so i wouldn't be able to tell ya.My idea of backing things up is throw everything i wanna keep on a flash drive and move on.

 

[Digger]

way too fast it seems... and to back that up, the removal of features are almost a weekly happening announcement.... i would like someone to compare the features of an early early build, in the 6800's to now 7100.... whats gone, whats been added. What works, what still doesnt. Whats been changed/tweaked. good/bad?

I have a great fear that this is the kissing cousin to Vista. As MS is already plowing the future garden for windows 8. Horse without a wagon. Vista may end up having more features avail than 7 when all is said and done, tho they may not work, lol.