The PC Report

For all of you TechNet and Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers, you can now grab yourself a copy of the final RTM version of Windows 7. Some people have said that the downloads have been slow, but as far as I can tell Microsoft’s servers are doing a great job at coping.

While Windows 7 is released today, unfortunately those wanting a copy of the Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM, you’ll have to wait until August 14th before you can grab yourself a copy.

Anyway, keep tuned here for our thoughts on the final version of Windows 7 once we get it installed

A surprise awaits when running CHKDSK /R  in Windows 7.  This command checks a disk for bad sectors, although it seems to like using about 90% of your system memory to get the job done.

Is it:

• A “showstopper bug“?
• A “critical bug that risks derailing product launch“?
• … or “arguably a feature“?

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For those who don’t know, XP mode is a virtual Windows XP environment that aims to provide better compatibility while using Windows 7. It is designed to have two operating systems integrate into the one interface so you can use programs that might work on XP but not on 7 (I don’t think there’s many). This virtual mode will bring Windows XP SP3 free to all owners of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate.

The new RC is available for anyone running Windows 7 RC or RTM, who has 1GB of RAM, 15GB HDD space and a processor capable of hardware virtualisation (Intel VT or AMD-V). If you want to grab a copy, head over to the Microsoft Virtual PC site, and for those interested, check out the full changelist after the break

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After all the fuss, it now looks like there won’t be a Windows 7 E and European customers will buy the same version of Windows as everyone else.

Originally Microsoft was going to include no browser at all in Windows 7 E, and then they were going to include a “browser ballot screen“.

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Last week it was said by Mircosoft that the participants of the Windows Technical Beta Program would not be receiving a free copy of Windows 7, but they seem to have corrected themselves.

If you were a member of the invite-only Technical Beta Program that got to test some early builds of Windows then you’re in luck: you’ll be receiving a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from Microsoft as their token of thanks. Too bad it isn’t every person who tested Windows 7 that gets a free copy…

–Source–

Microsoft and the European Commission have recently announced a new proposal that would allow Microsoft to include IE in European versions of Windows 7, but direct users to a “ballot screen” where they are given the choice of getting competing browsers (refer to image above).

Previously Windows 7 E was not going to include any web browser. Of course OEMs would have been able to add one, but retail customers would have to have a browser on a USB key or use Rafael’s method.

Personally, I the idea is a HUGE improvement over the old plan. Getting Windows without a browser included was a ridiculous plan. Please, leave your thoughts in the comments below.

It was only yesterday that we said when various people would be getting the final RTM copy of Windows 7. Well today, Microsoft has announced via the Windows Team Blog that Windows 7 has been Released to Manufacturers (RTM) and that the final build is 7600.16385.090713-1255, one build version up from the leaked copy of 7600 we saw last week.

OEMs should be expecting the RTM copy in around 2 days, with all TechNet and MSDN subscribers having to wait until August 6 to try out the final build of Windows 7. Keep tuned to hear our thoughts on the final copy of Windows 7 when we can get it.

Update: Windows 7 build 7600.16385 has hit several torrent sites

Microsoft have recently announced via the Windows Team Blog that the Windows 7 RTM will be available on Technet and MSDN from August 6 (English version). Other languages have been promised to be available by October 1.

“When will I get Windows 7 RTM?”

• Independent software and hardware vendors can get Windows 7 RTM from Microsoft Connect or MSDN on August 6th.
• All other MSDN and Technet subscribers can also get the RTM on August 6th.
• Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members via the Microsoft Partner Network Portal on August 16th.
• Action Pack Subscribers on August 23rd.
• OEMs will receive images a couple of days after Microsoft officially RTM, due to the time required to create and distribute the images.
• Volume license customers: August 7th with a software assurance license, September 1 without an SA.

Most importantly, the general release date of Windows 7 for consumers is October 22nd. I can’t wait!

Yesterday the Windows Team Blog announced a beta version of its Windows Home Server Power Pack 3. This new version is set to use more of the Windows 7 features and integrate better  than its predecessor. Such features are making full Windows 7 PC backups, Windows Media Center “enhancements”, support for Windows 7 libraries, Windows Search 4 which will allow faster and more reliable searching, TV archiving and a few other features

For the full list of new features check out the blog post here or if you want to grab a copy of PP3 head here and sign up as a beta participant

Brandon LeBlanc, a well known Microsoft blogger, has updated us all on the Windows 7 RTM situation. LeBlanc said on his blog that “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.” LeBlanc also acknowledged there have been many rumours about the RTM

As well as giving us this news, LeBlanc notified us of a step-by-step vaildation process that “takes time. Just because a single build may have “leaked” it does not signal the completion of a milestone such as RTM” As 7600.13684 was leaked only yesterday we should now be looking out for 7600.13685, 7600.13686, etc. as the final RTM build for Windows 7 in the next coming weeks.

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