As I hear from Tech.Ed 09 (keynote), MS officials expect the launch of Win7 for the public around holidays 2009. From September/0ctober on a pre-release shall be sent to OEMs for finishing hardware/software-adaptations. Maybe this is well known around here but I see that many people are asking for it, so... (Not a question but: Isn't this time from RC1 to RTM a bit short given the lots of rants and suggestions 'round here? You know what I mean.)Noupdate, only another quote: "Veghte disclosed that Microsoft expects to finish work on Windows 7 by about mid-August and make a final version of the OS available to consumers and businesses in time for this year's holiday season." (www.informationweek.com) Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),E:DATA (250G)

Sanmartin - There's a brand new blog entry on the Engineering Windows 7 blog that pretty much explains what Microsoft is doing between now untill it's "fully cooked" and released to the masses. The time line you posted sounds about what was expected. As far as a lot of the rants and such go - according to the blog, the features we've got in the RC are the ones we can expect in the final product. They're not working on changing stuff as much as fixing what's broken.

Thx for the fast reply and the link which was most informative. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not complaining, another guy wrote very well that what I think (as post in the above blog): "The OS feels really snappy and stable, and I hope the RTM is to become a great success. It also would be appreciated if you could enlarge the experience given by the Microsoft Connect website as I think that the best products are made when all parties concerned are present and can throw in their ideas." You get the point.Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),E:DATA (250G)

What are we talking about? I said MS (in a Tech.Ed keynote) announced the shipping of Win7 to the public within 2009, around holidays. As there must be a time for system builders (OEMs) to assure Win7-compatibility to their products, you can conclude that a RTM (i call it pre-release but "that's only words...") would be delivered to them around September/October. Fits perfectly with what Mary-Jo Foley wrote (zdnet.blog.com): "If I assume PC makers might only need two months or so (given that the Win 7 code base doesnt include a bunch of major changes like Vistas did) and a recent Acer execs slip-up claiming Acer would be able to ship new PCs preloaded with Windows 7 by late October 2009 Id say Windows 7 looks like it could RTM by late August or early September. Im betting the launch will be November 2009." November or late November, the launch for the market ("General Availability") seems to target on X-mas sells which sounds pretty logical. Don't you agree?Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),F:DATA (250G)

Sounds about the same as Vista's launch, but better since it will be available by Christmas.Vista became "available" it OEMs and MSDN subscribers in late 2006. In January 2007 it was available at retail.

HiThis will likely shape up to be another huge'speculation' game, just like the speculation for the RC release date.The guesses from all of the pundits who all were quoting 'reliable inside sources' ranged from late February to early August.Have fun. Ronnie Vernon MVP

No need to play games. The "reliable inside source" is Bill Veghte, Senior Vice President MSFT. And a blogger reported his words as "Good news is that Windows 7 and [Windows Server] 2008 R2 will be released as planed around Christmas." I hadn't the time to watch all the speech on Tech.Ed-Online (nearly 2 hrs!) but that seems credible. So, please, no unnecessary shyness. - See note on TOP of this thread. Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),F:DATA (250G)

As far as I'm concerned... go ahead and release it as is... lol. I've been on XP for what seems like forever, I'm finally ready to let go of it (actually I have already let go of it). I really wasn't ready for a new OS when Vista came out not to mention not liking Vista and it's performance at release. I wanna get Win7 installed and setup for the last time and be done with it. As I continue to install my games, apps, and do all of my normal OS tweaking and setting up on the freshly installed RC1, I hate the thought of I'm going to have to do it all over again for the final release....sigh. But yea, I'm pretty much sold unless they find a way to screw up the performance. Actually, Win7 worked so good for me right from the get-go that I started using Win7 as my primary OS with the first public release of it (7000). I can't say the same thing for Vista which I hated right from the start and never bothered with it again...

As far as I see, the july/august dates refer to adding a free "upgrade to Win7 when available" option for buyers of Vista systems.Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),F:DATA (250G)

Just a quick reminder to everyone - There have been confirmed reports that those "leaked" builds have been tampered with by some nefarioius individuals. And those downloading these bits have now been found to be forming a new bot net. So PLEASE - unless you've got legit access to the newer builds - stick with the safe stuff - namely build 7100... Hey WolfieWho are these nefar-i-o-ious individuals then..?? :-)Or does spell check not work in Win7..?? :-)Old Mig15 pilot.

So if there is a new build, why can't we download it and try it too? Id like to see if they fixed any issues that I had. WHat would it really take to put the new ISO online?

So if there is a new build, why can't we download it and try it too? Id like to see if they fixed any issues that I had. WHat would it really take to put the new ISO online? From what I've heard it's not quite such an easy thing... prep for a major release like Build 7000 and 7100 had to go quite a bit.1.) Compile the build2.) Pre tests3.) Stress tests4.) more automated tests5.) get stamp of approval.Then comes the easy(?) part. 6.) Rent servers, buy enough pipes to handle the bandwidth7.) Put it up on the servers, 8.) Test, and retest servers 9.) debug as needed10.) leak release date a week early to get the buzz going11.) release and hope the servers and pipes don't melt...6 - 11 above mostly cost money, time and resources. Meanwhile... For interim builds it's not such a big production. 1.) Compile the build2.) Pre tests3.) Stress tests4.) specific test to see if new components fix issues they're working on internally5.) get approval6.) distribute through regular channels. This is done to test a specific fix - not meant for a broad public consumption. It may be something shipped to an OEM who needs to test a fix for his hardware or software. While it may fix the bug(s) they were targeting, it may introduce other bugs and issues that weren't foreseen.

Davy - Speel Cheek works - when and if I remember to use it. They did take it out of the software running these forums, unfortunately.

Davy - Speel Cheek works - when and if I remember to use it. They did take it out of the software running these forums, unfortunately. I know, sometimes I remember to use it as well. Usually after I've posted..!! :-)http://www.usd.edu/~bwjames/humor/spell.htmlOld Mig15 pilot.

Now that was a good link. ROFL.Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),F:DATA (250G)

As far as i have read October 23 is the launch date...correct me if i am wrong...

According to some sources, the leaking just happened a few hours ago. As it wasn't my intention at all to drive someone into dangerous downloads, I cannot but repeat the above warning from Wolfie2k6. An interesting notice might also be this one: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20090514/researchers-find-zero-day-security-hole-windows-7.htm. Be aware of security updates.Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),F:DATA (250G)

As far as i have read October 23 is the launch date...correct me if i am wrong... Well.. That WAS the date given by I believe an Asustek exec... Whether or not that's to be believed remains to be seen. It could be.. Or not. We'll know better for sure the closer we get...

Quote from http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/11/OurNextEngineeringMilestone2.aspx"Ultimately our partners will determine when their PCs are available in market. If the feedback and telemetry on Windows 7 match our expectations then we will enter the final phases of the RTM process in about 3 months. If we are successful in that, then we tracking to our shared goal of having PCs with Windows 7 available this Holiday season. --Steven and Jon Published Monday, May 11, 2009 10:01 AM by e7blog "

Sanmartin - The article I was referring to can be found here.

How about a pre-service pack update disk, I might be able to get through something like that.

Thank you Wolfie,I read it but keep in mind that -as opposed to Mr. Ronald Vernon - I DO sleep from time to time, so I can't reply in an instant. Thx again.Mob. AMD64 3000+, 1 G RAM, Mob. ATIRadeon9700, 20x DVDRW, C:XPSP3 (55G),D:WIN7 (25G),F:DATA (250G)