Microsoft Windows97 Homepage

The Windows 7 RC already expired on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, PCs running Windows 7 RC began shutting down every two hours.
If you're still running the RC, your PC will continue shutting down every two hours and your files won't be saved during shutdown. In addition, your wallpaper will change to a solid black background with a persistent message on your desktop. You'll also get periodic notifications that Windows isn't genuine. That means your PC may no longer be able to obtain optional updates or downloads requiring genuine Windows validation.

To avoid interruption, please reinstall a prior version of Windows or move to Windows 7. In either case, you'll need to do a custom (clean) install to replace the RC. As with any clean installation, you'll need to back up your data then reinstall your applications and restore the data.

Thanks again for helping us test Windows 7.

vDiscussions on the data that Windows 7 RTM will be available have been going around the Internet (as with any new Windows release).



Monday July 13 was mentioned by some sources, but on that day Microsoft posted an update on its Windows Blog explaining that it still had not signed off on Windows 7 RTM.



Note: On Wednesday Microsoft did RTM Windows 7 (article).



Yesterday, July 21st, another note was posted listing the dates that the RTM will be available to the various groups.



Partners and OEMs will be able to download Windows 7 RTM from Microsoft Connect or MSDN on August 6th.



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. The remaining languages will become available to download by October 1st.



OEMs will receive Windows 7 RTM software images beginning approximately 2 days after Microsoft officially RTM Windows 7.



Business Customers that have access through Software Assurance (SA) licenses 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. Customers without a SA license will be able to purchase Windows 7 through Volume Licensing on September 1st.



IT Professionals/Developers that don't have access to Volume Licensing but have a TechNet or MSDN Subscription will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.



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 (depending on the retailer).



Microsoft also confirmed that it will be offering a family pack of Windows 7 Home Premium (in select markets) which will allow installation on up to 3 PCs. Further details will be released later.


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Last Updated: July 22, 2009