Windows 7 RTM to Begin Rollout ... to a Few
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To all TechNet and Microsoft Developer Network subscribers, not to mention all you ISVs and independent hardware vendors: Your ship will finally arrive tomorrow. Microsoft plans to make the final version of Windows 7 available to you on Aug. 6, downloadable via Microsoft Connect or MSDN; or, in the case of TechNet people, via TechNet Downloads. Those with volume licenses (and an existing Software Assurance license) will be able to download the RTM version of Windows 7 on Aug. 7. Those without that Software Assurance license will need to wait until Sept. 1, when they can purchase the operating system through Volume Licensing. Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members will have the opportunity to download Windows 7 through the MPN (Microsoft Partner Network) Portal on Aug. 16, although not all languages will be available for download until Oct. 1. This Microsoft blog posting gives the full breakdown of who-downloads-what-when, but the above represents at least a substantial part of the list. Regular consumers, of course, will be able to get their hands on Windows 7 starting on Oct. 22, the general release date. One of Microsoft's key concerns at this point seems to be application compatibility. The lack of application compatibility with Windows XP was one of the reasons that Windows Vista was so publicly maligned by IT administrators and others during that operating system's run; Redmond seems determined to not repeat the mistakes of the past by offering the Windows XP Mode Release Candidate, which allows older XP applications to run on a Windows 7 machine thanks to the magic of virtualization. That application can be downloaded here. As for more generalized complaints about migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7, Microsoft is now attempting to address those concerns via this site. After all, when your ship's coming in, it's best if it doesn't crash right before it reaches the docks. |
Comments (3)
Ah the Windows Upgrade Thread-Mill has started again. There's a smell in the air, its the smell of money, say goodbye to your money Windows users, as Steve is going to release a new OS every 2 to 3 years now. And that XP compatible thingy, is only for the business or ultimate editions, you don't get that with home premium. Not quite so "premium" now is it? I wonder how many programs and games this release will break.
But there is some good news here in all of this, since Seven is just "a better Vista" according to Steve Ballmer, it most likely will not work on most of the older computers out there running XP now. So you can save some bucks by not running out and buying this bloatware for the old computer, unless you are already stuck with Vista. Then again one could try out and use Linux for free at distrowatch.com
Posted by Chips B Malroy | August 5, 2009 6:26 PM
Hi Chips!
I believe XPM has no DX support, so if this is correct then the gamers can forget running that XP only title on 7 or any app that relies on DX.
Like has been said before, if an upgrade from Vista is required as well as XP compat, it may be worth considering a Linux/Wine combo....
Posted by Goblin | August 8, 2009 5:41 PM
HI, Chips, and Goblin, this was about windows, not Linux. We get it you like Linux, so what, no body asked you to read anything about windows so keep your Linux to yourself. I am using the 7 beta on an older computer, 7 actually runs faster than xp or 2000. I have tried Linux, it wasn't for me, but I do not go to Linux sites trying to tell everyone to use Windows. Keep your opinions to yourself.
Posted by Robby | August 11, 2009 8:54 PM