Windows 7 is complete as of 22 July 2009.
The RTM was signed off by Steve Ballmer, clearing the way for distribution.
This means that all coding is complete, the software package has been extensively tested in alpha, beta and release candidate stages, and the development team considers the software good enough to release to the public.
On Wednesday, Ballmer signed the RTM disk at a Microsoft sales event in Atlanta, while Windows division president Steven Sinofky looked on.
The first wave of distribution goes to computer manufacturers so that new computers can ship with Windows 7 pre-installed.
Windows 7 will be available for download to IT professionals and independent software and hardware vendors on 6 August 2009.
On August 23, Windows 7 will be released to Microsoft Partner Program members.
Consumers will finally see Windows 7 on 22 October 2009. Given that the pre-release roll-out is on schedule, the October date looks firm. This is probably because Windows 7 is more or less a remake of Vista, rather than new from the ground up.
The new Microsoft operating system will be available to consumers either pre-installed on a new computer, or as boxed software.
So, what do you think?
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