Microsoft has announced that its next generation OS Windows 7 is ready for delivery to PC manufacturers.
“Today after all the validation checks were met, we signed off and declared build 7600 as RTM,” said Brandon LeBlanc of the Windows Team on Microsoft’s official website yesterday.
Windows 7 release dates:
The Windows 7 RTM (meaning release-to-manufacturers) announcement is significant as it signals to PC makers that the new OS is ready to be built into their computers so it can be available when Microsoft’s latest operating system is released to high street consumers on October 22nd, 2009.
LeBlanc gave specific details of the Windows 7 rollout; “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. 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.”
Windows 7 pricing:
Microsoft has already announced massive discounts on Windows 7 preorders received before August 9th.
Microsoft has also offered free upgrades to Window 7 to people who buy Vista-equipped PCs before the release date of Windows 7.
Owing to the ongoing EU anti-trust inquiry against Microsoft, Windows 7 will be going on sale in Europe without including Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8. This will catch out some people who try to upgrade a PC to Windows 7 without first having a USB stick or CD available that contains a web browser necessary for the installation! The version to be released in Europe is designated “Windows 7 E”
