Various websites last week claimed to have 'confirmed' from sources that Windows 7 would be hitting the RTM (release to manufacturing) milestone earlier this week on July 13, 2009. But that day came and went and there was no peep of the RTM.
Microsoft Brandon LeBlanc responded to those reports yesterday with a post on the Windows Team blog, reading, "We are close, but have not yet signed off on Windows 7. When we RTM you will most certainly hear it here. As we’ve said all along, we will RTM Windows 7 when it’s ready. As previously stated, we expect Windows 7 to RTM in the 2nd half of July."
Getting Windows 7 to the point of RTM isn't as simple as completing one version for one partner. LeBlanc explains, "Windows 7 will be available in many languages from around the world. For us to consider RTM 'done', it requires that all languages be completely finished. … We also need to get to a point of 'global readiness' with our partners. Our partners being ready for Windows 7 is extremely important to RTM."
So what about that build 7600 that leaked last weekend, which many thought could be the RTM version? "Another thing to keep in mind is that when we do a specific build internally of Windows 7 we have an extensive step-by-step validation process to ensure quality. This process takes time. Just because a single build may have 'leaked' it does not signal the completion of a milestone such as RTM," added LeBlanc.
We'll let you know as soon as Windows 7 hits this next big milestone. Stay tuned.
