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July 6, 2009 9:25 AM PDT

Will Windows 7 be finalized next week?

by Ina Fried

Although Windows 7 won't go on sale until October, Microsoft is actually slated to be done with the code that ships on those first PCs within a couple of weeks.

Some enthusiast sites are predicting that Microsoft will peg the release-to-manufacturing date of Windows 7 to July 13, the start of the company's Worldwide Partner Conference. A report on GeekSmack.net suggests that Microsoft will finish the OS by the 13th and post the software to its MSDN and TechNet developer sites shortly thereafter.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Although the timing would certainly be convenient, it's also the case that Microsoft is primarily focused on making sure it has stamped out any last-minute bugs.

Microsoft said when it announced the October ship date for Windows 7 that it would have to finalize the code and get it to computer makers by the second half of July.

To meet that goal, Microsoft is no doubt doing long-term regression testing on any builds it thinks could be the final one.

Another Windows 7 date to keep in mind is July 11. That's when Microsoft plans to end a preorder program through which people can buy an upgrade version of Windows 7 Home Premium for $49 or Windows 7 Professional for $99. The software maker has also said that preorders could end earlier if it hits a predetermined sales level, although it hasn't said how many copies it is willing to sell.

The preorder program has been a hit on Amazon, where the Home Premium upgrade remains the top seller in both the software section as well as the overall "computers and add-ons" category.

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.


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Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (57 Comments)
by darkxeno July 6, 2009 9:35 AM PDT
Wow what a story so this took you all of five minutes to write post and now what do you do with the rest of your day?
Reply to this comment
by empirestatebuddy July 6, 2009 10:15 AM PDT
Why? Are you going to ask her out on a date?
by Saltiva July 7, 2009 8:37 AM PDT
LOL- You should ask her out on a date seeing as how she is employeed. She could treat you to lunch with the economy being so bad, didn't you read the article about PS3 Bundles-> see the comments below that.
by Mr. Dee July 6, 2009 9:49 AM PDT
This definitely a well tested release. I just hope the IHV's, ISV's and the OEM's are fully on board. Windows 7 RC has been running exceptionally well on all three of my systems, the performance, the new effects like interactive Thumbnail Previews, Aero Peek, Aero Snaps, enhanced Search, Libraries, HomeGroups make it a great upgrade.
Reply to this comment
by JonRey43 July 6, 2009 10:12 AM PDT
I agree, it's a worthy upgrade for an Windows user. I can get to run it on my 4 year old laptop with little problems and it's pretty low end computer with today's basic computers.
by system001 July 6, 2009 1:05 PM PDT
Upgrade, I think not. Try Vista Service Pack.
by jase1125 July 6, 2009 1:48 PM PDT
A service pack is Snow Leopard
by jake3373 July 6, 2009 2:09 PM PDT
@system001:
You sound like a Mac user. I will be one of the first to say that Windows 7 is what Vista should have been (meaning they should have just skipped Vista and gone straight to Windows 7), but you will never hear me say that Windows 7 is Vista SP3. Many people will say that about Windows 7, and here is my advice: Try the RC, and you will be eating your own words.
by Perry_Clease July 6, 2009 2:12 PM PDT
"A service pack is Snow Leopard"

No it is an upgrade, but it doesn't matter what you call it Snow Leopard will be well worth the $29
by Jsmith018 July 6, 2009 7:44 PM PDT
@Perry
Snow Leopard is more or less a service pack. It is simply adding new features to leaopard. Will it be worth the 29 dollars, from what Ive seen yes it will. Even with Snow Leopard, I'm going to choose Windows 7 for my next Computer.
by ckh1272 July 8, 2009 12:59 AM PDT
"by system001 July 6, 2009 1:05 PM PDT
Upgrade, I think not. Try Vista Service Pack."

@system001--I am an Apple user and even I find that statement pretty retarded. Without these companies pushing out updates, upgrades, or whatever you want to call them, we would just be stuck with a lame OS. Microsoft, Linux Distros, and Apple competing so fiercely is a benefit to all consumers, so stop with flaming comments. They are utterly pointless.
by Darthfett July 8, 2009 1:58 AM PDT
ckh1272: Agreed.

Trolls: You are being brainwashed. The "My Operating System's manufacturer can beat up your operating system's manufacturer" argument will never have an answer, so please get on with your lives and stop trolling for favored companies.
by bluemist9999 July 6, 2009 10:02 AM PDT
I wonder how much the sales of Windows 7 will decrease when the special pricing of Windows 7 ends, and Windows 7 reverts to the usual prices---$99 for Home Premium, $199 for Professional.
Reply to this comment
by jessiethe3rd July 6, 2009 11:16 AM PDT
I think Windows 7 is going to be extremely popular. Microsoft this time has done a very good job of getting the message out, giving the beta out, and even releasing RC code to testers. The feedback has been extremely positive... much more positive then Windows Vista was in the past. This is undoubtedly going to lead to people spreading the word and picking up the OS. Versus Windows XP, Windows 7 represents quite a jump in overall functionality - XP seems to be the OS Windows 7 is firmly targeted for. Lower resource use on start-up, faster startup, and the wide varity in UI changes will no doubt capture the hearts of even the coldest Windows Vista hater.

Microsoft is not stupid... they'll ensure Windows 7 sells and sells well by offering a wide assortment of promotions to acquire the software. There is much more at stake here than just Windows... there's it continued market dominance and it's erroding marketshare.
by Renegade Knight July 6, 2009 11:54 AM PDT
Quite a bit I imagine. Vista taught us what happens when you try to upgrade old computers. Even the ones that were Vista ready were a problem. I don't hear a lot about "7 Ready".

MS isn't giving anyone a reason to upgrade other than to fix a broken Vista install.
by AuldAne July 6, 2009 12:00 PM PDT
Probably by a lot. I hardly know anyone who buys Windows "off the shelf", and yet most people I know run Windows. That's because it's easier to just buy a new machine. Like Snow Leopard's upgrade pricing, this sale is mostly PR. Not that there's anything wrong with that in either case.

Just had a thought -- I wonder if part of the reason MS doesn't sell box versions for cheaper is because it would erode PC sales?
by sharmajunior July 6, 2009 1:09 PM PDT
@ AuldAne

Your thought is right now target. Just think about it, if you built a pc yourself with high quality parts off of the market and then bought a retail Windows version and put it on there, it would still be less expensive as compared to what you get from an OEM.

Its like a cycle where the software companies keep making spec demanding code and the OEM's happily provide the hardware and make money off of it.
by The_happy_switcher July 6, 2009 10:04 AM PDT
Just in time for the new Window's viruses.
Reply to this comment
by monkeyfun14 July 6, 2009 10:18 AM PDT
Name one vista virus that spread with no user interaction or required idiocy of not patching before the virus even came out.
by Vegaman_Dan July 6, 2009 11:32 AM PDT
Windows users don't need any new viruses when they have such happy and warm well meaning thoughts from you, The_Happy_Switcher. :)

By the way, have you checked your Mac for the botnet you belong to yet? Or do you even know how to look for that? You may be compromised this very moment and not even know it, allowing criminals to watch every single step you make online, documenting all your logins, your banking information, etc. And you don't even know it.
by The_happy_switcher July 6, 2009 11:49 AM PDT
@vega: Why would I bother? I don't go around downloading illegal software from bittorrent. But if it makes you happen, yes, I've heard of Macscan. With all the online banking I do I'm sure I would have seen the results by now in your unlikely scenario.
by CrashPad63 July 6, 2009 12:59 PM PDT
Happy Switcher, you have no clue.10% of all Leopard users right now have been compromised, and most of them dont kow it. They see you now and you have know idea who they are. Goodluck in your happy denial. Continue to cuddle up to Jobsy, Lord knows he doesnt give a s h i t about you or your security. He just wants to grab your money.
by jake3373 July 6, 2009 2:13 PM PDT
@The_happy_switcher (2nd comment):
I don't go around downloading illegal software from bittorrent, either. And I'm on Windows, and I have never gotten a virus. Viruses usually only go to people who click "Free Smileys" or, as you said, go around downloading illegal software from bittorrent.
by Vegaman_Dan July 6, 2009 3:09 PM PDT
@The_happy_switcher:

You appear to have completely missed my point- that being while you are conveying a very smug and elitist holier than thou attitude typical of most rather vocal Macintosh fans, you acknowledge there are security risks out there for the Mac, however you are sure you don't have any compromised systems.... even though you have no way to check and in actual fact do not know if you are compromised or not.

My original point stands- your data could be compromised right now, your keystrokes logged, and the criminals are simply waiting for you to get enough money in your bank account before they act. Or they have just made your machine a bot without your knowledge as well.

It's akin to a doctor coughing and hacking up a lung telling you that they are feeling fine. :)
by The_happy_switcher July 6, 2009 4:18 PM PDT
@Vega: SInce you persist, ok, here goes: I have assets well north of 6 figures in one bank--not that it's really any of your business. Hypothetically let's say that my accounts were compromised. The bank would essentially be responsible--not me, so I don't lose any sleep over it. Same thing with credit card. As long as you notify them of potential fraud you have very limited liability. Also, again, none of your business, but I have Equifax credit monitoring so on one can do anything in my name without my first learning of it well in advance of any permanent $$ damage. The fact is these events happen OVERWHELMINGLY on Windows machines. I don't know anyone who has ever had their info stolen because of keylogger on their Mac.
by topgunb2 July 7, 2009 5:10 AM PDT
the happy ditcher, the reason you don't hear these things on mac is because no one uses it, it hardly has a market share, if you hate windows so much what the hell are you doing on this story?
by The_happy_switcher July 7, 2009 1:13 PM PDT
@topnut: no market share, really? Been to a college campus lately?--half of the laptops are Macs. But you can go and keep your head in the sand and deny the trend.
by ckh1272 July 8, 2009 1:03 AM PDT
@The_happy_switcher--Please refer to my comment to "system001". Both sides just need to take a chill with useless flaming mess. Let the Windows discuss their upcoming product and the same goes for letting MacOS users discuss the Mac OS without the flaming!!
by sanjayb July 6, 2009 10:27 AM PDT
That would be amazing if MS releases the code to MSDN members well before the launch date. I would love to blow away Vista sooner than later.

Can't wait to have Snow Leopard and Windows 7 running on my Macbook Pro.
Reply to this comment
by CrashPad63 July 6, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
This is just so stupid. Why buy an overpriced, overhyped laptop when there are much better configurable laptops out there. Then to run 2 OS one being so full of holes right now that the Swiss are suing for name recognition violation. (hint its not Windows)
by sanjayb July 7, 2009 11:48 AM PDT
@CrashPad63

Get lost troll. I bought the MBP last year and it has been the best computer I have ever purchased. Why don't u actually try out an Apple computer before you post your stupid, ill informed comments.

My MBP gives me the best of both worlds - Snow Leopard and Win 7.
by Vegaman_Dan July 6, 2009 11:33 AM PDT
I'm not sure it really matters what date it's released. A week or two this way or that isn't really anything to get excited about. It'll be out when it is out. No rush.
Reply to this comment
by NWLB July 6, 2009 11:48 AM PDT
Has Vegas opened odds on when the Windows 7 SP 1 release date will be?
Reply to this comment
by kojacked July 6, 2009 12:57 PM PDT
No but it's already claimed its first loser.
by jake3373 July 6, 2009 2:15 PM PDT
Windows 7 RC is a very stable and functional OS, especially for a pre-release. The only reason there was a Vista service pack so early was to fix Vista problems that it had at its launch. Windows 7 doesn't have any of the problems that Vista had.
by gadgetclicks July 6, 2009 1:07 PM PDT
at least we know that sp1 will be free.
Reply to this comment
by hassan_bin_sober July 6, 2009 1:40 PM PDT
Vista is NOT a has been. .Ya can't be a has been if your a never was!
Reply to this comment
by exactlyy July 6, 2009 2:04 PM PDT
so the Mac users need anti-viruse now ?? lol i thaught it was a secure OS..they didnt even want to belive that its the easiest to be hacked, but since they are few ,noone cares about u , inshort, **** and get iLife lol
Reply to this comment
by geraudulrich July 6, 2009 2:25 PM PDT
I hope that this new OS can very change microsoft oder OS, because we're very need.
Vista was a very disaster, XP.... so, i want to know, how it'll be.
Reply to this comment
by The_happy_switcher July 6, 2009 2:30 PM PDT
Windows 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12...whatever, it doesn't matter. This version will suffer from Windows Rot just like all the previous versions because Microsoft insists on keeping the registry around for each version. My Mac runs the same way now as it did three years--fast. I could never say the same thing with XP because it needed constant tweaking, registry enemas to keep it the same.

Microsoft has all these resources and yet they still can't get the OS right and the lemmings keep coming back to a new cliff to jump off of.
Reply to this comment
by monkeyfun14 July 6, 2009 2:53 PM PDT
Its been proven that the registry has no negative effects on performance.
by Vegaman_Dan July 6, 2009 3:13 PM PDT
I kept XP installations going for five years or more without any performance issues. It's not hard, the_happy_switcher... it just requires competence.

If you are trying to switch people to OS X with your rantings, you're actually hurting your own cause with these sorts of uninformed illogical comments. You make OS X sound like the choice for droolling fans without any sense of responsibility, security, or independant thought. I'm not sure that was your intent, but it is the result. Perhaps you may want to rethink your tactics?
by The_happy_switcher July 6, 2009 4:11 PM PDT
"... it just requires competence. " Yeah, and I did the same thing with all the various flavors of Windows for 15 years until I decided that it should be Microsoft's job to keep the performance from degrading--not me.
by The_happy_switcher July 6, 2009 4:22 PM PDT
@Vega: I don't know why you and other Windows users can admit a simple fact: Over 90 percent of computer users would be far better suited for a Mac than Windows. Half of all people in this country wouldn't be able to name the Vice President of the U.S. much less be able to run regclean on their PCS on even have a clue what a registry does. Have you ever seen the Jay Walking segments on Leno where he asks people basic questions and how stupid these people are? One guy--a recent college grad--did not who George Washington was. I kid you not.
by LearnNow2009 July 6, 2009 3:56 PM PDT
I think is a worthy upgrade for a Windows user. but I can get to run it on my 8 years old PC.:)

[link title="learn language"]http://www.learnthatlanguagenow.com/[/link]
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by LearnNow2009 July 6, 2009 3:59 PM PDT
I think is a worthy upgrade for a Windows user. but I can get to run it on my 8 years old PC.

<a href="http://www.learnthatlanguagenow.com/">learn language</a>
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by Inconnux July 6, 2009 4:56 PM PDT
This will be one of the best sellers for Microsoft ever... just think of all the unhappy Vista users that will rush to get the Vista Malware off their system... People will be upgrading faster than they did with Win ME. I can't see many XP users upgrading... why bother, XP works just fine.
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by shellcodes_coder July 7, 2009 7:27 AM PDT
viruses love xp so that's why you should continue to use XP. On the other hand, both hackers and viruses hate Vista and 7 because it's tough, damn tough to break
by Inconnux July 7, 2009 2:52 PM PDT
Virus's love all Microsoft product. As long as they tie IE so closely to the OS their will be problems with Microsoft OS's
by sosowhat July 6, 2009 8:29 PM PDT
I thought this was about a Windows OS and nothing more but what appears to be the usual flame war of other Operating Systems. Good thing this forum is here so everyone can show how smart they are.
Reply to this comment
by ckh1272 July 8, 2009 1:14 AM PDT
I agree. This has become nothing more than an OS monkey zoo with lots of pooh flinging!
by TimMyers July 7, 2009 10:29 AM PDT
*** is wrong with Vista?! Seriously, I think a lot of you are people that only deal with XP and have done so for too many years. Put on your big boy pants and actually try using Vista and 7. I've been using Vista with no problems. Let's hear some specifics people. Stop just saying "it's buggy." Like it or not, it's here. Deal with it and soon enough, you'll forget why you hated it.

And to add my two cents in about Snow Leopard - Service Pack! Why do we have to pay for version releases within 10.0? I don't understand that...
Reply to this comment
by Inconnux July 7, 2009 2:59 PM PDT
Vista is too damn slow. Even on modern hardware. My brand new laptop under Vista was benchmarked at half the speed of a 2yr old XP machine with lesser hardware (Fritz 10 benchmark). Sure it doesn't crash, but it is a DOG when it comes to performance.

1 = 1ghz P3

XP system = 7.9
Vista (unmodified after purchasing) = 3.4
Vista (8hr of tweaking and deleting crapware) = 3.9
Ubuntu 9.04 under wine (windows emulator) = 4.7
by TimMyers July 7, 2009 10:41 AM PDT
I can't type Double-U Tee Eff? Really CBS?
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by ckh1272 July 8, 2009 1:13 AM PDT
My nomination for the two most ignorant posters on here are "CrashPad63" and "The_Happy_Switcher". What in the (you know what) is holding you two back from participating in a meaningful discussion? I actually kind of look forward to playing around with Win7 myself in addition to my MacOS.
Reply to this comment
by lotty1234 July 15, 2009 3:26 AM PDT
Windows vista is actually buggy, Trust me I tried It. Some software Doesnt work on vista this is why there doing windows 7 because they are starting fresh with no viruses and better security, Also Windows vista was actually a way for them to make money, They actually didnt take that long to make windows vista thats why its buggy, Im sure they will update it for better performance and use up less Ram And CPU, I wander why it uses more Ram and CPU then windows 7.
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About Beyond Binary

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft.


Beyond Binary is a look at how technology is changing our lives and the people behind all that life-changing stuff, with an extra emphasis on that which emanates from Redmond, Wash.

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