RTM silly question

[Shayx]

i'm just wondering,
RTM is FINAL version right?
then RTM is the same version that will be in stores at 22/10/09?
yeah i know it will be RETAIL but will there be any changes from RTM?
let's say i get my hands on RTM build and a matching serial

do i need to install RETAIL when it comes?

 

[Captain Zero]

RTM=Release to Marketing (or Market) so, yes.

And when it comes out, you don't need to install it but your beta keys will expire in June/2010.

 

[Mystere]

RTM is the final "build", but it is not the final version. There will, of course, be service packs and hot fixes. RTM will be the same version that you can buy in a store.

The only exception to this would be a last minute showstopper bug that might get found after something is declared RTM and when it finally goes to stores, which case they could opt to re-release a new RTM, but that is pretty unlikely given the stability of 7.

 

[swarfega]

I think Im right in saying that RTM is the build that gets released to PC makers and then theres a further build after that for public release.

 

[Mystere]

No. The same build is used for PC Makers and the general public. Microsoft's policy is to have only 1 build of any give release. This gives them a single target for patches and other support tasks. It would be chaos if there were half a dozen different possible builds.

 

[swarfega]

true I guess.

 

[Zagadka]

Just to be safe, I would do a system format and reinstall a clean retail version. That would prevent any of a number of issues, from errors to MS copy protection.

 

[Mystere]

Yes, when RTM is released, DO NOT UPGRADE. Save yourself some hassle. Do a full clean install (format is not required, since clean install will copy the old system files to a .old directory).

I know, it's a pain and a lot of work. But if you do an upgrade, you will likely run into problems down the road. Just say no to upgrading betas with RTM code.

 

[Orbital Shark]

Short for release to manufacturing, the version of a software product that is given to manufacturers to bundle into future versions of their hardware products. RTM versions are typically released to manufacturers before they are released to the general public so that the manufacturers can work out any bugs the software may encounter with hardware devices. The release of an RTM version does not necessarily mean that the creators have worked out all the problems with the software; there still may be more versions of the product before it is released to the general public.

Source

 

[poin2]

i'm just wondering,
RTM is FINAL version right?
then RTM is the same version that will be in stores at 22/10/09?
yeah i know it will be RETAIL but will there be any changes from RTM?
let's say i get my hands on RTM build and a matching serial

do i need to install RETAIL when it comes?

RTM = Release to Manufacturing aka Release to Marketing = "going gold"

It's the final version expected to be ready for mass release. The only "change" thereafter is expected to be that it starts to get pressed to DVD's, put in boxes, gets a marketing plan behind it, etc.

And October 22 (or perhaps earlier now thanks to Apple?) simply means it's when the public at large should be able to go into most computer stores and buy it off the shelf on a disc in a pretty shrink-wrapped box. It's also the date by which places that make antivirus software, etc., have a heads-up for that they need to have everything ready and hunky dory since the masses are going to have it, and they're going to be expecting compatible software and drivers.

There should be no RTM vs. "Retail" difference otherwise. RTM is the "final" software version off of which all service packs, fixes, etc., etc. start to get based, and to which various others will confirm compatibility, and so on. It also of course means MS goes to the final serial/activation system so beta and release candidate keys shouldn't work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#RTM

 

[Zagadka]

October is closer than you'd think. I've been putting away $50 a month for a Win7 copy and some minor hardware changes...

Yes, when RTM is released, DO NOT UPGRADE. Save yourself some hassle. Do a full clean install (format is not required, since clean install will copy the old system files to a .old directory).

I'd still suggest a format. I've seen some really weird errors carry over. I don't even like MS's Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. And sometimes you can't get rid of the .old folder... a friend's computer has 3 Windows folders, including an obsolete one on a secondary drive, but Windows won't let it be touched. Fussy bitch.

It is really too bad that MS isn't replacing NTFS like they wanted to.

 

[segobi]

It is really too bad that MS isn't replacing NTFS like they wanted to.

Well NTFS is great..sol....

 

[Zagadka]

Well NTFS is great..sol....

A relational system like WinFS was planned would be much more efficient. NTFS is really outdated given the changes in modern computing.

 

[Shayx]

no i'm not gonna upgrade to RTM
just wanted to know if i should do a clean install to RETAIL version when it comes out.
according to you guys i don't need to. THANKS!

so we should expect RTM at the end of this month right?

 

[usasma]

RTM is released to the manufacturer's for them to get it installed on their systems prior to the GA (General Availability) date when the public can purchase it - either preinstalled on a system or by purchasing a retail copy.

 

[Mystere]

Source

That may be the case with some vendors, but Microsoft does not create new builds in the same tree after it has gone to RTM. Once it goes RTM (if not before) the build branch is forked into an SP branch and a "next version" branch. Any new "fixes" that may occur are typically created as hotfixes to the existing RTM build.

A relational system like WinFS was planned would be much more efficient. NTFS is really outdated given the changes in modern computing.

WinFS was not a new filesystem. This is a myth. Many people assumed that "FS" stood for filesystem. In reality, it stood for "Future Storage". WinFS was basically an "add-on" to NTFS to give it object oriented capaibilities.

 

[Barman58]

RTM Upgrade or Clean install

Just a little information for those contemplating whether to upgrade from the RC to the RTM (GA) version of Windows 7 or to perform a fresh install .

It has been normal practice in the past to NOT include the Release Candidate, (or beta), in the list acceptable operating systems for the upgrade process.

There may of course be workarounds to get past this limitation, if, as seems likely, it applies to Windows 7.

 

[sup3rsprt]

And sometimes you can't get rid of the .old folder... a friend's computer has 3 Windows folders, including an obsolete one on a secondary drive, but Windows won't let it be touched. Fussy bitch.

Take ownership and full control of the folder through right click > Properties > Security tab. If you have problems, you can use a WinXP environment to do it (either through dual boot or something like BartPE). It works every time, because WinXP is not fooled by silly Win7 file permissions.

 

[Zagadka]

Regarding WinFS, I know what the FS stood for, but it was a step in a new direction.

Take ownership and full control of the folder through right click > Properties > Security tab. If you have problems, you can use a WinXP environment to do it (either through dual boot or something like BartPE). It works every time, because WinXP is not fooled by silly Win7 file permissions.

Yea, but it gives DLL in use etc, even in Safe Mode.

 

[poin2]

no i'm not gonna upgrade to RTM
just wanted to know if i should do a clean install to RETAIL version when it comes out.
according to you guys i don't need to. THANKS!

so we should expect RTM at the end of this month right?

Barring some disaster, RTM and "Retail" are identical. Right, you don't need to upgrade or clean install a second time.

Several places claim MS is targeting June 30 for RTM. I believe it's the end of their own fiscal year, and it would also make good, convenient timing to announce it right around when the free upgrade system for new computers goes into effect, especially since some students are already back-to-school computer shopping.

Not sure how long they'd take to start distributing it to partners, Technet, etc., but one might hope there would at least be an RTM announcement around the end of the month.

Given it's Windows "7," I suppose they could get tricky with doing a July (7th month) announcement, and time things somehow with the 4th or 7th (or 1st) of July, but we'll see.