Tech Mania

Posted: 21 Jul 2009 02:41 PM PDT

Now everyone is eager to get to know when is the RTM being out and when can they get hands on copy on the RTM build.After a series of builds being out in the wild like the 16585 i was expecting when the date would come and now Brandon Leblanc from WindowsteamBlog gives some more light on the dates of the RTM builds.Here is what he has to say.

For Partners & OEMs:

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.If you are a partner who has been working on Windows 7 for a while, now is the time to complete your testing with final version of Windows 7.

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.OEMs will receive Windows 7 RTM software images beginning approximately 2 days after we officially RTM.This will allow them to begin preparing images for new PCs to ship with Windows 7 on them.

For Business Customers:

If you are a Volume License (VL) customer with an existing Software Assurance (SA) license you will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English starting August 7th via the Volume License Service Center (VLSC). The rest of the languages for Windows 7 RTM should be available within a couple of weeks after that.

Volume License customers without a SA license will be able to purchase Windows 7 through Volume Licensing on September 1st as we announced last week at WPC09.

For IT Professionals:

There are a few ways you can get Windows 7 RTM. IT Professionals with TechNet Subscriptions will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.

For Developers:

Developers with MSDN Subscriptions will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.

For Beta Testers & Enthusiasts:

A special thank you to our beta testers is needed for their time and effort in helping make Windows 7 a solid release. The special pre-order offer we did offering Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional at almost 50% discount was done with our beta testers in mind.Many of you jumped at the chance to take advantage of this deal.

I'm happy to confirm that we will indeed be offering a family pack of Windows 7 Home Premium (in select markets) which will allow installation on up to 3 PCs.

Beta testers will not automatically receive a free copy of Windows 7. Many beta testers are already subscribers to TechNet those of you who fit that description will be able to download Windows 7 RTM shortly after RTM happens for free as part of your subscription.

You can continue to use it until it expires on June 1st, 2010 (expiration actually starts March 1, 2010, this is when the reboots start).

For Consumers:

Windows 7 will be in retail stores and shipping on new PCs starting October 22nd. If you pre-ordered Windows 7, it should be delivered sometime around the October 22nd timeframe.