Gizmodo: windows7rtm

Windows 7 Available Now For TechNet and MSDN Subscribers [Windows 7]

Jason Chen — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:38:02 EDT

If you're one of the TechNet or MSDN users, you can go ahead and download Windows 7 RTM for yourself. And yes, as our review says, it's really safe to upgrade. Though, if you're a TechNet or MSDN subscriber, you've probably been playing with the RC for a while. [TechNet and MSDN via Geeksmack]

Caption Contest: Steve Ballmer Holding Microsoft's Sekrit Google Virus Windows 7 Final [Caption Contest]

matt buchanan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EDT

Here's Steve Ballmer at the ceremony for Windows 7 going gold (final), holding, obviously, a gold disc. But what's he about to write on it with that Sharpie? You tell us. [Image via Brandon LeBlanc]

Windows 7 Officially Released to Manufacturing: No Going Back Now [Windows 7]

matt buchanan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:40:00 EDT

Probably not much of a surprise at this point, but right about now, Steve Ballmer is telling a roomful of people that Windows 7's been released to manufacturing. If you're using RC1, congratulations, you've basically got the final product already.

There are no new features, crazy backgrounds or easter eggs—or changes approaching anywhere near major, just some "specific" fixes based on actual measurements and data.

What's interesting is that with the final hardware completely locked in—like, even more than when they were officially announced, since it's too late to change anything now—it's the first major Windows release to not require at double the specs of the preceding Windows OS, a fact that Microsoft is proud of. Make of that what you will! (And oh, I'm sure you will.)

Speaking of hardware—expect a wave of it to drop with Windows 7—like a lot of the "thin and light" more-expensive-than-a-netbook stuff Intel's been hyping, though some of it sounds genuinely exciting, like capacitive touchscreen notebook running Nvidia's Ion.

The arrival of Windows 7 probably won't be Christmas in October with Santa Ballmer, but it sounds like it'll be the best month for PC makers in a long time. [Microsoft, Image via Brandon LeBlanc]

Who Gets Windows 7 RTM, and When? [Windows 7]

Dan Nosowitz — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EDT

Microsoft released a more detailed timeline of exactly who will get Windows 7 RTM and when, and we're sure you're dying to know. But you better hope you're a bigshot if you want to be the first to grab it.

Independent software and hardware vendor partners will be able to snag a copy on August 6th, followed by Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members on August 16th. Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will get it August 23rd, and OEMs will get it two days after Microsoft officially releases it to manufacturing. Business customers, IT pros, and devs will get it in late September and early October.

Here's what you guys care about: Beta testers and "enthusiasts." If you're a member of TechNet, you get it August 6th. If not, you'll have to wait until it hits retail on October 22nd. Microsoft reminds you that the RC will continue to function until March 1st, 2010. More details available on the Windows Team Blog. [Microsoft]

Why Windows 7 RTM Doesn't Mean Windows 7 Is Done [Windows]

Jason Chen — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:40:00 EDT

Windows 7 may be Released to Manufacturing, but that doesn't mean it's done. Nope. When you're Microsoft and have many companies to work with, you need to make sure they're ready too, lest you want Vista Launch 2.0.

The two major things left to do before Windows 7 launches are language packs, since Windows can't launch in any country without all countries being localized for. And OEM builds, which allow manufacturers to test Windows 7 against their machines and make sure they've got a working version of Windows ready to ship that works out of the box.

But, if you're one of those English-speaking people that's been using Windows 7 beta and Windows 7 RC without a problem, chances are you can probably use Windows 7 final now and be just fine. So for you, it's pretty much as done as it's gonna get. [Windows Team Blog]

Nearly Final Windows 7 Build 7229 Now Available at Your Local Pirate Bay [Windows 7]

matt buchanan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:20:00 EDT

A new post-release candidate 1 build of Windows 7—specifically, build 7229—has creeped onto BitTorrent. This is supposedly one of the last builds before Windows 7 is released to manufacturing. As always, grab at your own risk. [Thanks Bouke!]