Windows 7 RTM

Windows 7 is finally done. After a long process of testing each and every part of the Operating System, and ensuring all languages are ready, representatives from every area of the Windows team met to “sign-off” on the Release To Manufacturing build. (7600 for reference)

Windows 7 will be publicly available on store shelves and in OEM PCs on the 22nd of October this year. (OEM dates may vary) For those who purchased a PC with Windows Vista during the free upgrade promotion, be sure to keep an eye out for news from your OEM on when you will be getting your free copy of Windows 7. (OEMs will be getting the RTM image in about 2 days)

For those with a MSDN or TechNet subscription, you will see Windows 7 appear for download on the 6th of August. Remember that this applies to MSDN:AA as well.

A big thanks to everyone who provided feedback during the Windows 7 Beta and Release Candidate. Remember that your release candidate will last until the middle of 2010, giving you plenty of time to install the RTM or downgrade to a previous version of Windows.

An evaluation version should appear on the Windows 7 Springboard Series website soon, so you can evaluate Windows 7 Professional edition yourself.

Finally here are some videos from Microsoft regarding the RTM. Starting with the official sign-off session that I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post.

and secondly the official RTM announcement by Steve Ballmer at MGX today, including him signing the Gold RTM DVDs.

Windows 7 Sneak-Peak from MGX