Microsoft announced a few days ago (July 23) ca Windows 7 out of phase alfa and beta, the version declared to be RTM (ready to manufacturing) fiind 7600.16385.090713-1255. The announcement was made by the executive director, Steve Ballmer, during the conference Microsoft Global Exchange (MGX) held in Atlanta.

Although RTM represents the final version of Windows 7, that is, the one that successfully passed all the tests and safety and quality checks made by Microsoft engineers, does not mean that the development of this operating system has ended. New versions will continue to be compiled in order to solve any problems and errors that may appear, Microsoft is already working on Windows 7 SP1. That is why it would be more correct to say that the RTM is, in fact, only the beginning, following that from here on the compatibility of Windows 7 with certain hardware component of various manufacturers (to take into account the failure Windows Vista after its release).

Windows 7: de la RTM la GA (general availability)

– precisely to avoid a situation similar to the one at the launch of Windows Vista (which suffered due to the incompatibilities discovered between software and hardware), OEMs they were the first to receive Windows 7 RTM for testing, a day after it was announced as completed (July 24);

– starting with August 6, premium subscribers of MSDN and TechNet will be able to download Windows 7 RTM from their sites;

– for those enrolled in the Gold Partnership program with Microsoft, Windows 7 RTM will be available starting on August 16, 2009;

– Microsoft Action Pack subscribers will be able to get the RTM starting August 23;

– VL (Volume License) customers with SA (Software Assurance) license will be able to download Windows 7 RTM via Volume License Service Center starting August 7;

– VL customers who do not have an SA license can start buying Windows 7 from September 1 (via volume Licensing);

– pe October 22, 2009 Windows 7 will be available in stores for all those who are interested in this operating system (general availability).

With the announcement of the availability of Windows 7 for various categories of partners and/or customers, Microsoft wanted to thank the millions of testers of the beta version, made public in January 2009, and stated that the possibility to pre-order the OS at prices of up to 50% discount it was granted thanks to them and that there will be no other special treatment (the clarification was made to put an end to speculations that beta testers will get the first free copies of Windows 7). At the same time, a Microsoft spokesperson reminded everyone interested in Windows 7 that The RC will only expire on June 1, 2010 (from March 1, 2010, starting with only restarting the system every 2 hours), that is, more than half a year after the final version will be officially launched.