What does "RTM" installation mean?

[pstein]

I read occasionally about RTM installation DVDs.
I think its the abbreviation of "Ready-to-manufacturing"

What does that mean in detail?

Is this a pre-release?

Or something like a special OEM version?

Can I activate it "as usual"?

Has it some limitations over a "normal" Pro version?
Is this a special Win 7 release or do RTM installtion CDs exist for Win 8.1/Win 10 as well?

Peter

 

[AddRAM]

Release to manufacturing, it`s what you or I or the PC manufacturers install on a PC, it`s the final retail version.

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

 

[LMiller7]

The term "RTM" is more often used in the early days of an OS to distinguish it from prerelease versions. In a more OS it is generally assumed and not explicitly stated. Now, everybody using Windows 7 is using the RTM version or one that includes SP1.