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Thurrott: Final version of Windows 7 coming October 15

Marshalus   on 18 May 2009 - 13:34 · 59 comments & 16616 views

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Predicting the release date of things like Windows 7 beta, RC and now the RTM is something like trying to predict when the end of the world will be. Everyone gets excited about the upcoming date, but when it actually does happen, that's all anyone will care about. Well, get ready for some more predictions as we get further and further away from the RC release and closer to RTM.

The latest prediction, this time from Paul Thurrott, is that Windows 7 will be released to the public on Thursday, October 15. But as he says, this is "according to the current schedule."

Meaning... "don't shoot me if I'm wrong or they change it."

The October 15 date gives Microsoft about 5 months to squash bugs left in the release candidate, which was released on May 5. This date also does seem to match up with the news we reported on last month, via Pocket Lint, that Windows 7 would be available for purchase on the Acer all-in-one Z5600 PC systems starting Saturday, October 23.

We expect lots of rumors to circulate about the release date, up until we get something concrete from Microsoft. Not that we don't trust our good buddy Paul, but this is his second or third prediction on a release date (or at least time frame) for the final version, so we're currently working with our sources to firm up the October 15 date he mentions and hope to have more information for you soon.

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(3 replies) #1 XerXis on 18 May 2009 - 13:38
you know, it's going to come out at october 15 and thurrot is going to say: see, told you so!!! Thereby completely ignoring the fact that this is already his third or fourth trie at predicting the date.
#1.1 Radiance_Wes on 18 May 2009 - 18:44
XerXis said,
you know, it's going to come out at october 15 and thurrot is going to say: see, told you so!!! Thereby completely ignoring the fact that this is already his third or fourth trie at predicting the date.


Thats how they all are lol
#1.2 +Kirkburn on 18 May 2009 - 19:40
XerXis said,
you know, it's going to come out at october 15 and thurrot is going to say: see, told you so!!! Thereby completely ignoring the fact that this is already his third or fourth trie at predicting the date.

Except there's a difference between a prediction and actually having information on the date.
#1.3 Thunderbuck on 19 May 2009 - 01:11
Since Thurott is actually working with the Windows team (he's producing a how-to book that's supposed to publish to coincide with the launch), I'd say his date accurately reflects Microsoft's current plans.

Given that Acer has already leaked details of a Win7 machine that will be available on Oct 23, this isn't too surprising.
(4 replies) #2 +littleneutrino on 18 May 2009 - 13:39
Do not really care when it comes out only simply that it does. However it might be a while before i purchase it. (like all OS purchases) hoping for any stability updates for things that they were unsure about on launch.
#2.1 Beaux on 18 May 2009 - 14:23
littleneutrino said,
Do not really care when it comes out only simply that it does. However it might be a while before i purchase it. (like all OS purchases) hoping for any stability updates for things that they were unsure about on launch.

Windows doesn't get stability updates after it's released. It gets security updates that make it less stable. The most stable version is always the one on the release date.
#2.2 dr_crabman on 18 May 2009 - 14:37
Beaux said,
Windows doesn't get stability updates after it's released. It gets security updates that make it less stable. The most stable version is always the one on the release date.


In case you're serious (I really can't tell, sorry if I'm missing the joke) just one example: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941649/en-us "This update improves the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista." And why exactly do security updates decrease stability?
#2.3 testman on 18 May 2009 - 20:58
Beaux said,
Windows doesn't get stability updates after it's released. It gets security updates that make it less stable. The most stable version is always the one on the release date.

Wrong. It always gets more stable AFTER release, one of the reasons why businesses tend to wait till a year after. What you said makes absolutely NO sense.
#2.4 Apple-a-Day on 18 May 2009 - 23:57
testman said,
Wrong. It always gets more stable AFTER release, one of the reasons why businesses tend to wait till a year after. What you said makes absolutely NO sense.


As a former MS Tier 2 Support Tech you would be surprised





#3 Kevin. on 18 May 2009 - 13:40
If Paul's date is correct, then Acer's date is right on track. I'm taking it with a small grain of salt though just in cast something does change.
#4 ir0nw0lf on 18 May 2009 - 13:40
Paul should have pulled the "when it's done" prediction and not artificially inflate the hopes of those here who hang on every word of his or on release dates. I figure everyone like that will have his head on a pike if/when it doesn't make that date LOL.
(3 replies) #5 Tom W on 18 May 2009 - 13:47
It will definitely be out by October, lets hope it's sooner than that though.
#5.1 +Frazell Thomas on 18 May 2009 - 17:07
If you have MSDN (or do leaks) it will drop around July or August is my off the cuff guess.
#5.2 the andyman on 18 May 2009 - 17:38
I thought RTM was set for August so then it's really all up to MS and the manufacturers ...
#5.3 excalpius on 18 May 2009 - 19:55
It'll be on retail shelves (OEM on machines and boxed retail) in October, but it'll RTM end of July. It's the only way it'll be ready in time for that public release date.
(7 replies) #6 M. Seth on 18 May 2009 - 13:53
So who is going to be camped out at their local best buy the night before to buy a copy?!?!?

I know I am....probably a few...one for each member of my family.

One can only hope the don't limit the number of copies per purchase. At last count I think I needed 8.
#6.1 XerXis on 18 May 2009 - 13:58
M. Seth said,
So who is going to be camped out at their local best buy the night before to buy a copy?!?!?

I know I am....probably a few...one for each member of my family.

One can only hope the don't limit the number of copies per purchase. At last count I think I needed 8.


why in gods name would you do that? It's not like they are going to run out of copies...
#6.2 GreyWolfSC on 18 May 2009 - 13:59
Preorder them from Amazon and you should have them at the door the morning of the release date.
#6.3 xendrome on 18 May 2009 - 14:19
GreyWolfSC said,
Preorder them from Amazon and you should have them at the door the morning of the release date.


What if your local mail doesn't deliver until afternoon?
#6.4 M. Seth on 18 May 2009 - 14:19
XerXis said,
M. Seth said,
So who is going to be camped out at their local best buy the night before to buy a copy?!?!?

I know I am....probably a few...one for each member of my family.

One can only hope the don't limit the number of copies per purchase. At last count I think I needed 8.


why in gods name would you do that? It's not like they are going to run out of copies...


It's called sarcasm.....I don't I have ever done that for a Microsoft product.
#6.5 GreyWolfSC on 18 May 2009 - 15:27
xendrome said,
What if your local mail doesn't deliver until afternoon?


Amazon generally doesn't ship via USPS. "Day-of" preorders are usually shipped FedEx.
#6.6 NoctheniK on 18 May 2009 - 19:10
xendrome said,
What if your local mail doesn't deliver until afternoon?


Then you'll never get it =O
#6.7 +Smigit on 19 May 2009 - 01:18
M. Seth said,
It's called sarcasm.....I don't I have ever done that for a Microsoft product.

Sorry but I read it as serious too...sarcasm doesn't work that well online...especially when what your saying is something many people do in fact do.
(2 replies) #7 Lucas on 18 May 2009 - 13:57
Paul just wants attention.
#7.1 +Kirkburn on 18 May 2009 - 19:42
Lucas said,
Paul just wants attention.

And I suppose Neowin "just wants attention" for posting news stories? What is it you think people do on the net?
#7.2 Thunderbuck on 19 May 2009 - 01:20
Again, Paul Thurott really ranks as an "insider" on Windows. Since he's working on a Win7 book whose release is supposed to coincide with Windows 7, I'd say his date accurately reflects Microsoft's release plans.

Now, whether Microsoft can actually hold to that plan remains to be seen...
#8 Stetson on 18 May 2009 - 14:05
I'm guessing it will RTM a month or two before that, probably sometime in late August if that is really going to be the public release date. Remember that the Vista RTM date came a couple of months before its release as well.
#9 lylesback2 on 18 May 2009 - 14:06
Just a prediction, not an actual release date
#10 rev23dev on 18 May 2009 - 14:45
public release means nothing to me. i go by date on msdn
#11 digitalsoft on 18 May 2009 - 14:45
3 days before my birthday, not actually bothered when it comes out though. Just aslong as its finished and perfect.
#12 freakyfriday on 18 May 2009 - 14:51
1 day before my 26th birthday! but all i care is he rtm build that will leak way before it hits store sleves
(2 replies) #13 rakeshishere on 18 May 2009 - 15:12
#13.1 Jugalator on 18 May 2009 - 15:41
LMAO, but oh so true, as well.

These kind of articles are the cheapest way to find attention in the IT community.
#13.2 +Kirkburn on 18 May 2009 - 19:43
Jugalator said,
LMAO, but oh so true, as well.

These kind of articles are the cheapest way to find attention in the IT community.

So I guess you didn't actually read his article and notice it was about far far more than just the release date.
(2 replies) #14 xpclient on 18 May 2009 - 15:24
Available to the public is not RTM. It'll RTM in approx 3 months from now.
#14.1 Marshalus on 18 May 2009 - 15:38
xpclient said,
Available to the public is not RTM. It'll RTM in approx 3 months from now.


It's not clear what the October 15 date is.
#14.2 rakeshishere on 18 May 2009 - 17:37
GA
(8 replies) #15 +S/R on 18 May 2009 - 15:27
Paul bases the release date for Windows 7 on when this deadline is for his Book. Which is a logical perdition. RTM is supposed to be in September which mean its goes to pressing and should be releasing about 1month later.
#15.1 GreyWolfSC on 18 May 2009 - 15:29
Hopefully it'll be more useful than the "Windows Vista Secrets" book. It was basically just a dump of the Vista help documentation, no secrets to be found.
#15.2 Marshalus on 18 May 2009 - 15:39
Rafael Rivera is working with him on it this time, so it should be improved.
#15.3 GreyWolfSC on 18 May 2009 - 17:21
Good to know... I'm glad I checked the Vista book out at the library instead of buying it.
#15.4 +AltecXP on 18 May 2009 - 17:37
I typically just get the "inside out" books
#15.5 +AltecXP on 18 May 2009 - 17:37
I typically just get the "inside out" books
#15.6 Marshalus on 18 May 2009 - 17:46
I think the last Windows book I bought was for Windows 3.1
#15.7 geoken on 19 May 2009 - 13:42
I think the last book I bought for anything computer related was a few weeks before first getting the internet thereby making every book almost instantly obsolete, overpriced and cumbersome.
#15.8 +Kirkburn on 19 May 2009 - 16:55
Y'know, I feel I have to comment here just to add even more colour to the username mix.

I shall be somewhat interested in the book too, never bought/read a Windows book before.
#16 mikiem on 18 May 2009 - 16:39
Totally FWIW, as in the Neowin article of the 16th on the Feedback program, they're asking for at least 4 months of data, while also saying they'll hope you continue after final release.
(1 reply) #17 vladtm on 18 May 2009 - 17:00
That 7127 from torrent is a virus, avoid downloading that.
I think windows 7 RTM will be a decent os and i like it .

[< link snipped > - Calum]

Last edited by Calum on 18 May 2009 - 17:59
#17.1 excalpius on 18 May 2009 - 19:57
7127 is NOT a virus. It's a legitimately illegitimate leak.
#18 Bhav on 18 May 2009 - 17:49
Predicting the release date of things like Windows 7 beta, RC and now the RTM is something like trying to predict when the end of the world will be. Everyone gets excited about the upcoming date, but when it actually does happen, that's all anyone will care about.
What an unbelievably poor analogy Seriously why bother
#19 NoctheniK on 18 May 2009 - 19:12
They are going to lose a lot of potential sales if they do not release the RTM in Aug.
(1 reply) #20 dcoaster on 18 May 2009 - 20:52
Just remember people. October 15th is the supposed date of general availability (GA or the time when you can buy it on store shelves). The plan is to have Win 7 finished up (RTM) in mid-August.
#20.1 skynetXrules on 19 May 2009 - 00:37
dcoaster said,
Just remember people. October 15th is the supposed date of general availability (GA or the time when you can buy it on store shelves). The plan is to have Win 7 finished up (RTM) in mid-August.


yes Sir
#21 SoLoR1 on 19 May 2009 - 00:53
ye ok, im saying date is in august or september.... for "RTM" build, not offical public. However saying exact date is stupid, even if MS it self would announce it half of year in the future.
(1 reply) #22 hardgiant on 19 May 2009 - 04:04
August = RTM
October = Retail
November = patches

#22.1 +Kirkburn on 19 May 2009 - 16:56
hardgiant said,
August = RTM
October = Retail
November = patches

In all honesty, I'd expect patches before November. Which is not a reflection of the code quality.
#23 snuffy on 19 May 2009 - 19:48
yeah sounds about right after what i saw today....
#24 bertmace on 20 May 2009 - 04:26
Aug 24th same day xp did in 2001 because in aug 2001 had to take my machine to shop because it was not working right and had the rtm on it and it was the first time the shop seen it running

Last edited by bertmace on 20 May 2009 - 04:32
#25 bertmace on 20 May 2009 - 04:28
xp was on sale in oct nov was hotfixes

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