Windows 7 Professional When will you get Windows 7

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20
09
When will I get Windows seven RTM?

I understand this can be a significant question to get answered. Lots of you've got said you want to know precisely once you will likely be capable of get your palms on RTM. Last Monday, I gave an update on RTM to shut out some myths. In that update, I also gave a broad timeline on when distinct teams of people – or “audiences” – would get the final RTM code.

While I've absolutely nothing new to add with regards to RTM these days, I do however have far more exact info to offer on once you will be capable of get RTM. Once more, when you can get RTM depends upon who you are.

For Partners & OEMs:

ISV (Independent software vendor) and IHV (Independent hardware vendor) Partners is going to be capable to download Windows seven RTM from Microsoft Connect or MSDN on August 6th. There is already a lot of momentum from ISVs and IHVs in the ecosystem nowadays for Windows 7 as Mike Nash blogged very last week. If you are a partner who has been working on Windows 7 for a even though, now is the time to complete your testing with closing version of Windows 7. For partners that haven’t gotten started yet with Windows 7,Windows 7 Home Premium Product Key, now is the time to acquire involved. It is possible to also visit www.readyset7.com to learn a lot more about getting ready for Windows seven.

Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members is going to be capable of download Windows 7 RTM in English through the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Portal on August 16th. By October 1st,Office Home And Business 2010 Key, the remaining languages will become available to download.

Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will likely be about to download Windows seven RTM in English starting August 23rd here. By October 1st, the remaining languages will become available to download.

OEMs will receive Windows seven RTM software images beginning approximately 2 days after we officially RTM, as a little time is required to release and distribute these images. This will allow them to begin preparing images for new PCs to ship with Windows 7 on them. We know our OEMs are excited for Windows seven and we can’t wait to hand them the final RTM bits!

For Business Customers:

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

Volume License customers without a SA license will probably be capable of purchase Windows 7 through Volume Licensing on September 1st as we announced last week at WPC09. Mark these dates on your calendar and start making your deployment plans!

For IT Professionals:

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

IT Professionals at companies with Volume Licensing see above on how you can get Windows seven RTM.

We have quite a bit of resources for IT Professionals to use to become experts on Windows 7 and to aid in their deployments. Those resources can be found at the Springboard Series.

For Developers:

Developers with MSDN Subscriptions is going to be capable to download Windows seven RTM in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.

To help developers who are developing applications for Windows 7 or updating existing applications to take advantage of new Windows 7 features, check out the Windows seven for Developers Blog. Also, be sure to check out the Windows 7 Developers Guide on MSDN. Oh and there are also some fantastic videos on Channel 9 too!

For Beta Testers & Enthusiasts:

A special thank you to our beta testers is needed for their time and effort in helping make Windows seven a solid release. The special pre-order offer we did offering Windows seven Home Premium and Windows seven Professional at almost 50% discount was done with our beta testers in mind. And a lot of you jumped at the chance to take advantage of this deal – thank you,Microsoft Office 2010 Pro Plus!

I know there have been some rumors going around about a “family pack” for Windows seven. We have heard a lot of feedback from beta testers and enthusiasts over the previous 3 years that we need a better solution for homes with multiple PCs. I’m happy to confirm that we will indeed be offering a family pack of Windows seven Home Premium (in select markets) which will allow installation on up to 3 PCs. As I’ve stated before, stay tuned to our blog for more information on this and any other potential offers.

UPDATE 8/6: See this blog post here for data on the Windows seven Family Pack.

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

UPDATE 8/6: See this blog post here relating to a special thank you for beta testers.

However, if you don’t have TechNet and are waiting for GA (to either purchase Windows seven or wait for your pre-order to arrive) you'll be able to continue to use the RC. In fact, you can continue to use it until it expires on June 1st, 2010 (expiration actually starts March 1,Windows 7 Professional, 2010, that is when the reboots start).

While our special pre-order offer with the near 50% has ended, Windows 7 can still be pre-ordered right now from the various online retailers (including the Microsoft Store).

We are also going to release an evaluation of Windows seven Professional for IT Professionals via the Springboard Series shortly after RTM. Over 40% of beta testers are IT Professionals and this will allow them to quickly access the RTM code and plan for deployments.

For Consumers:

Windows seven is going to be in retail stores and shipping on new PCs starting October 22nd. If you pre-ordered Windows 7,Office Professional 2007, it should be delivered sometime around the October 22nd timeframe (depends upon the retailer).

UPDATE 8/6: I’m including a nifty chart to summarize the above data for everyone (click to make bigger).