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Windows 7 RC to be released publicly on May 5
Ok gang, it looks like we may finally have an honest-to-goodness release date for the Windows 7 RC: May 5, 2009.
A page has been posted on Microsoft's partner portal which tells MSDN and Technet subscribers that they can download the RC now, though that doesn't appear to be true just yet. Clicking through to the downloads page still only displays the Windows 7 Beta downloads.
It could turn out to be another gaff like the one last month. However, there's no screwy publication date this time, so it may just be that the partner downloads are due in the very near future. The page includes another reminder that the RC is not a finished product and restates that the goal is to both showcase what's coming in Windows 7 as well as continue real-world testing.
There's been speculation that the RC build may include a significant change to the Windows 7 UI in order to generate some added excitement. We'll have to wait patiently to find out if that's true, but no doubt there will be screenshots or an ISO leak soon after the download is made available.
If you missed out on the beta and aren't excited about downloading an unofficial file via some torrent site, you'll soon have the chance to get your hands on a genuine Microsoft download once again.
[via NeoWin]
Comments
21
Subscribe to commentsKeegdnaBApr 18th 2009 3:42PM
Yay!
intellerApr 18th 2009 5:08PM
I wish MS would release SP2 final for Vista so I could stand up a clean copy of that to compare with this Win7 RC.
Brent SchmidtApr 18th 2009 3:49PM
Last day since a Windows 7 post: April 9th @ 4PM.
So that guy can't complain, lol.
The GnomeApr 18th 2009 4:55PM
Yes, I've been waiting for this!
I can't wait..
Hope is true though...
MalteserrApr 18th 2009 5:28PM
I honestly can't wait. I haven't been too keen on installing the latest leaked builds so it'd be nice to get the legit RC and see what changed :)
MattApr 18th 2009 6:58PM
ummm
Farseer (GDI)Apr 18th 2009 7:35PM
Good, good, good. I've been extremely pleased with the beta, so I'm interested to see what goodies the RC holds.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt)Apr 18th 2009 11:45PM
yea i can't wait for this OS. it's got me postponing the purchase of a new desktop computer in waiting for it (thought i may break this summer and just upgrade later).
Bryan PriceApr 19th 2009 10:23AM
Yeah! I may get a fairly stable laptop back once I reinstall with RC! I can't complain, but I've been noticing some oddities with it after it comes out of sleep and hibernation. It's been easier to just shutdown and restart. Not that I have been doing any of that in the past month...
Of course, they came out with a new driver for my WiFi, and it's finally going with the IP I assigned it on my router! Yeah!
I'm still not putting in the new HD though until I can install RTM on it though.
And then I get to think about upgrading this desktop.
daveApr 19th 2009 10:30AM
Does MS ever provide a path to step from RC1 - >retail or will we be reinstalling when retail comes? I have a HUGE buildout, I can't imagine rebuilding voluntarily!
Major4PlayApr 19th 2009 4:13PM
upgrading a working finished OS to another is really never a good idea, why on earth would you want to upgrade from a beta !?!
daveApr 19th 2009 4:26PM
Well, it is an RC, release candidate, RC's are usually different than a beta, especially a Gold RC.
master811Apr 19th 2009 5:01PM
Yeah but unfortunately, Microsoft's definition of a RC isn't the same as everyone elses, even if it was though, they wouldn't officially support any kind of upgrade from RC, it would just be too much hassle.
Besides, the people who install any kind of RC/Beta are gonna be the people who don't care too much/won't take them long to reinstalll stuff again and/or know what they are doing in the first place.
BrianMApr 20th 2009 8:17AM
RC = Release Candiate, not RTM or Release to Manufacturing, RCs usually mean the look and feel is complete and not subject to change only bugs are subject to be fixed before RTM.
GavApr 19th 2009 5:09PM
Am I the only one who doesn't like the taskbar?
I know you can easily change it back to the 'classic' taskbar (and it looks pretty sexy when you do), but I think it was fine how it was.
It's particularly annoying how it groups all Windows together. I often have several WLM conversations open, and clicking the WLM logo loads them all!
MysteriusApr 21st 2009 3:47AM
I'd prefer setting the default option for taskbar buttons to "Combine when taskbar is full" instead of "Always combine". You can set it by right-click on taskbar, "Properties", Taskbar buttons: "Combine when taskbar is full".
Still, I've resolved to try to get used to the button style when the RC comes out. I ought to at least give it a try, to see if it proves more useful.
Grouping windows from the same app next to each other *should* be default, though, with or without combining the buttons.
Jash SayaniApr 19th 2009 5:17PM
Well, upgrading to RC is a doubt... Build 7000 is perfect! I'm pretty impressed with it.. (Except for HP Laserjet issues).
I'll find a hack to prevent the beta from expiring.
Luke BarberApr 20th 2009 9:45AM
RC isn't available in my VL MSDN...
Phuong VoApr 20th 2009 5:45PM
The new taskbar is great. Makes window management a lot better.
SamApr 23rd 2009 12:01PM
7100 is the RC Build
http://hacksdaily.net/windows-7-build-7100-is-the-official-rc-build/