Microsoft finalizes Windows 7
Microsoft on Wednesday said it has finalized the code for Windows 7, paving the way for the new operating system to make its way onto retail shelves and new PCs in time for its October 22 launch.
The software maker is hoping the response to the new operating system differs from the lukewarm reviews and compatibility challenges that marked the release of Windows Vista, which hit the market in January 2007. In contrast to Vista, Windows 7 has been marked by the company consistently hitting its deadlines and receiving largely positive feedback along the way.
"That is our final engineering milestone in what has been a three-year journey," said Mike Angiulo, general manager for planning in the Windows unit.
Windows 7 relies on the same underpinnings as Windows Vista, but adds a lot of features aimed at making the operating system both look and perform better.
Visually, it does a better job of managing open windows through an improved taskbar and a feature that lets users peek at one particular window or see the desktop that is hidden below all of the windows. On the performance side, it boots up and shuts down faster, and can run better on Netbooks and low-end machines.
Whereas Vista suffered several delays and saw its feature set change significantly in the years it was being developed and tested, Windows 7 looks very similar to the early developer preview version first shown at last October's professional developer conference.
"It feels great to be here on time," said Tami Reller, the Windows unit's chief financial officer, who recently added marketing responsibility for Windows as well.
Microsoft plans to offer Windows 7 in a number of different versions ranging from a low-end "starter edition" to an ultra-high-end "ultimate version." However, it expects most people in the U.S. and other developed markets to run either the Home Premium or Professional editions.
The company has been conservative in talking publicly about the product, waiting until features or dates were largely set in stone before discussing them widely.
Things were also fairly calm in the "shiproom"--the conference room inside Microsoft's Redmond headquarters where the Windows team meets to discuss outstanding bugs and issues before executives ultimately sign off on that the code is final.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
With Vista--which was a more major update to Windows--it was a place of contentious debates up to the last minute about which issues needed to be fixed and which could be addressed later.
"When you are going through the end game, sometimes it is really bumpy; sometimes it is not," Angiulo said. "It's been really mellow this time."
Microsoft hasn't changed the code for Windows 7 since July 13, with much of the past 10 days spent just waiting to make sure long-term testing turned up no significant issues.
"After we produce a build, all the different teams will go through their test path," said Iain MacDonald, the general manager of the Windows Server unit. Microsoft also on Wednesday finalized the server version of Windows 7--a modest update known as Windows Server 2008 R2.
The actual build that Microsoft is using as the final one--build 7600.16385--has already leaked to the Web--several days ahead of Microsoft's confirmation that it was, in fact, the final version.
One of the last notable changes to Windows 7 was the incorporation of changes that were made to Windows as part of the last monthly "Patch Tuesday" bug fixes.
Angiulo said closer cooperation with computer makers, as well as the predictable schedule, has meant that a wide variety of new PCs should be ready to launch with Windows 7 in October.
"The (PC makers) have been working on a variety of systems--super-amazing thin and mobile systems," he said. "They are also working on really inexpensive low-end machines and all-in-ones.
Microsoft is also hoping, particularly since the underpinnings are similar to Vista, that users won't find the same sorts of compatibility issues that cropped up when that operating system first hit the market.
The entire PC ecosystem--from retailers like Best Buy to computer and hardware makers--are all hoping that Windows 7 can provide a boost to what has been a rough year.
"Our customers are very excited about Windows 7," Dell's Jim Ginger said. "We know because they tell us."
Update: Here's a video from Microsoft of the formal sign-off at Redmond.
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. 
According to that, Windows 7 should be out for MSDN/OEM/TechNet in early August, and October 1st for everyone else.
(I'm betting there's a lot of folks in Redmond who are grateful for Moore's Law right about now... :) )
I've been using it since Beta and it is rock-solid. Performance, usability, compatilibity all excellent! A great release, probably the best Windows release ever.
Why wait?
Because the people who jump on the RTM version will obviously face exploits and bugs that Microsoft will eventually fix by October via Windows Update. By the time my "upgrade" version of Windows 7 arrives, I'll be able to run Windows updates and get the patches and bug fixes to avoid those sorts of problems.
I assume the Technet and MSDN subscriptions will be able to download a Windows 7 RTM version ISO or get the DVDs mailed to them as part of their subscription.
Meanwhile I'll use the Windows 7 beta to see how compatible various programs are with Windows 7, but mostly the web applications.
Buh Bye mocha shop crew.
you might think: I don't put any important files on this computer anyway so it doesn't matter, but the fact is it does matter because the same pasword you use for that computer is mostly the same password you're gonna use when you get your win7 order and install it, and that password might be the same password you use for all your other important things.....I would say go read up on what botnets are and their dangers, it's not about stealing your files or your ssn anymore. be smart, don't be a part of the problem. in the end, it's all up to you.
Obviously you do not, else you would have never confessed to having downloaded and run either a pirated leak-copy of RTM (which currently doesn't legally exist outside of Microsoft), or are running a trojaned-to-hell copy of the RC dressed-up as an RTM release.
Blue center , yellow, red , green sides.
7 looks awesome. Can`t wait !
In your dreams pedro in your dreams......
(heh - I had to.)
Atleast I can install it on the machine I want...
BIO's checks that OSX use is a form of drm as well...
...exactly once. ;)
Linux I can just burn off copies and pass around.
Hackintoshes don't count. Remember this is average consumer...
re: "Hackintoshes don't count"
Why not? They exist, they work... just ask your buddy Vegaman Dan, who claims to have one.
"It only cost me $120 for Leopard, which I installed on my Hackintosh just fine."
IKeep in mind that you cannot legally install that product on the Hackintosh. You are violating the EULA set by Apple and are now engaged in criminal activities. I learned my lesson and no longer have a Hackintosh. I bought my MacBookPro and I'm happy with it.
Do you illegally have OS X installed on a non-Apple product? I'm not sure you really want to admit to such things here on CNET as that is a violation of the terms of service.
Windows 7 *IS* vista with a different configuration that can be obtained with a few hours of tweaking! What the hell man...
Thaks a lot, news writers in general.
As far as 7 vs Vista goes... oh, I didn't know Vista has the ability to run a XP VM natively... was that some tweaking? I am sorry, what registry hack was that for aero peek? Oh... the renewed messaging system that tells you about the status of your machine, updates... where was that? I didn't know about that registry tweak. I forgot - could you tell me how I do window resizing by moving to the edge of the screen... I looked alll over for it in my latest tweaking guides... didn't see it???
Thanks - looking forward to all your tweaking answers!
I'm sorry, but I just don't really buy it.
then you would have known that windows always releases a lemon OS in between good OS's so it should come as no surprise that vista was crap watch and follow the trends history always repeats itself Windows 7 will make up for what vista wasn't but don't get it twisted it will have it's problems till SP1 maybe even SP2 for it comes out
It's not the second coming of christ by no means
MS Tinker is a little robot game where a robot walks around a little maze pushing stuff around. Looks like a little flash game. This was delivered via Ultimate extras. Really very sad.
so McKrush, if you want them you can go to windowslive.com and download windows live essentials or just the ones you want and there you go. I use live mail as my home mail app and RSS reader...it does a good job
Will any one care to clarify?
ldmalaviya.gmail.com
No? Oh well.
I said they were rarer than kernel panics almost every time Vista recovers without affecting the end user.
Every BSOD i've seen has also been the result of failing hardware or shoddy drivers -cough-nvidia-cough-
Here you go, Oh True Scotsman - the results of less than five minutes' looking:
http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/226630-vista-x64-bsod-irql_not_less_or_equal-minidump-included.html
http://www.myps3.com.au/Post.aspx?id=4783&p=10
http://www.vistabluescreen.com/node/28
http://allajunaki.wordpress.com/2009/04/11/vista-bsod/
...but instead of being partisan fanboys, how about I quote from this one:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/blue_screen_survival_guide?page=0%2C0
"I Run Vista, so I'm Immune to BSODs, Right?
Unfortunately, no. A common misconception is that blue screens don't even exist in Vista, but not only are they still there, but we're here to tell you we've seen them first hand. "
Note that all links satisfy even your restrictive requirements.
So... if "kernel panics" (heh) are even more common, then Vista must really be worse off than I thought...
"The good news is Microsoft put a lot of work into how Vista handles critical errors and other glitches that in previous OSes would cause a system crash. Most of the time, if a problem occurs, Vista will attempt to fix the problem without any interruption. For example, if your videocard crashes, you may see a messge saying "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered." In XP and previous OSes, this almost always would have resulted in a system crash."
As I stated Windows Vista recovers most of the time.
I didn't say they didn't exist but they rarely happen for someone who doesn't use it apparently you sure seem to like to pass judgement on how it works.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kernal+panic&form=QBIR&qs=n#
(notice how clean and concise that was...FYI)
have you seen this MAC BSOD
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&um=1&sa=1&q=MAC+BSOD&aq=f&oq=
But fact is, your buddy claimed that they never happened. I showed him that they did. Then his buddy claimed they never happened after 2008. I showed him as well where those happen. Meanwhile, the whole Microsoft cheerleading squad is happily falling deeper and deeper into logical fallacy to prevent having to own up to the BSOD-on-Vista phenomenon that, yes, does occur. (hint: There's a reason why I called Mr. Anderson a "True Scotsman" up there... ;) ).
re: "Most blue screens of death are a result of HARDWARE problems."
I'm sure that a lot of them are. OTOH, isn't that what the WHQL program is designed to prevent? You'd think a big OEM like HP (as one example from the link pile) would have figured out how to participate in such a program by now, yes? Since Microsoft certifies hardware configs and drivers from (especially) OEMs, well QED, it's something Microsoft could have done something about in that one instance.
re: "(notice how clean and concise that was...FYI)"
...but nowhere near as comprehensive or complete. Meh, I'll stick with using Google, thanks. cut+paste works fine here.
Same old idiotic, mindless Apple crazies, different names.
"Same old crap ware, different package."
I know right cause that is obviously not a trolling post?
Could he maybe just maybe be a linux fanboy?????
silly m$ fan boys
Seeing as how this is a microsoft article and everyone is argueing about mac vs. windows, i think we have a valid reason to believe he is a mac fanboy
Microsoft damn near lost my business forever with Vista, but this looks very promising. I think I've been sold off what I've seen.
Yeah. Like a hole in the head is good news for anybody.
So, they would save about $500 at least.
More options are always a good thing.
Microsoft makes money from sales of the OS to Mac users as well. They have no reason to spurn them.
Yeah, tapping with two fingers instead of one is SO DIFFICULT! /sarcasm
I'd take the single-button (or on the most recent models, no button at all) trackpad with finger gestures over any PC laptop I've ever owned or used. Multiple physical buttons on trackpads SUCK! Thumbs weren't meant to contort all day like that.
Considering Windows 7 makes an excellent OS to run on Apple computers, this gives those users a choice in what OS they wish to run.
More options are always a good thing.
Microsoft makes money from sales of the OS to Mac users as well. They have no reason to spurn them."
I agree with you 100% Vegaman. I use both VIsta and 10.5 and I could give a rat's *** whether someone thinks Micorsoft sucks or Apple sucks. I have gotten plenty of use out of both with minimal hassle. I will upgrade to Win 7 when the initial kinks are ironed out (there always are). More options are definitely a good thing.
Actually, they do - it's just that the price is built into the cost of the computer.
Main reason "Stable Drivers" why Hardware Control!!!!
Apple doesn't just let any tom, dick, and harry make Hardware for there systems and there drivers are TRULEY tested not just rushed out to sell that new 800 buck video card
Be sure to clarify your comments to include that you can purchase an upgrade or full stand alone version of Windows. You are not forced to buy a computer with it as you are with OS X. It's important to point out that OS X is only sold as an upgrade for Apple only computers and cannot be installed on any non-Apple hardware without violating the EULA.
Microsoft doesn't care what you install on it- they leave the freedom of choice up to the consumer to decide what they want to use and on what sort of system.
Maybe you should set up a VM (there's plenty of freebies on the net - Virtual PC is fine... load up Windows 7 and try it out - if you do not like it don't use it. :)
I ran all the benchmarks I could and everything was faster.
I pushed the OS as much as possible, even installed no-name hardware like a graphics tablet & an old scanner and Vista hasnt BSOD on me once??
I installed 12 GB of RAM and it sees ALL of it!!!
Firefox literally just "pops" open!
Photoshop takes about 3 seconds to open!!
Its been over a month and I havent had to restart the system.
***???
- by FF2009 July 22, 2009 6:08 PM PDT
- Windows what? you mean XP with a eye candy theme that is priced at $320?
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
-
- by monkeyfun14 July 22, 2009 6:29 PM PDT
- Beer isn't free mate. Hell it gets pretty damn expensive.
- Like this
-
- by uptheironsrafi July 22, 2009 8:30 PM PDT
- Cnet should make you pay cash for your comments. Then you wouldn't troll as much.
- Like this
-
- by monster_eater123 July 22, 2009 9:06 PM PDT
- Windows 7 is nothing like XP ... XP kind of sucks ... Windows 7 is way more solid than XP and quicker on my system. You need to learn Windows before you trash it there buddy.
- Like this
-
- by Vegaman_Dan July 22, 2009 9:10 PM PDT
- You like free beer? And exactly what sort of quality can one expect of free beer? :)
- Like this
-
- by ckh1272 July 23, 2009 1:43 AM PDT
- Sounds like someone has had plenty of beer. Time to call a cab my friend.
- Like this
-
- by flickz2000 July 23, 2009 6:06 PM PDT
- WTH.!U said Windows 7- xp with a eye candy theme!!!!Don u say that..
- Like this
-
Showing 1 of 3 pages (206 Comments)No thanks. I like free stuff, like free as a beer. :)
See Linux can't even make a simple analogy and they want the idiot user base?
It seems like u have nt even used windows XP coz xp is not free stuff like as a free beer..
LOL