Users start to get final Windows 7 this week

(Credit: Microsoft)

The wait for Windows 7 will soon be over--at least for those in Microsoft's MSDN and TechNet developer programs. Members of those two groups will have access to the new operating system starting on Thursday.

Another group--large businesses with volume license deals for Windows--will get access to the code on Friday, while other large businesses will be able to get the software starting September 1.

Consumers and small businesses, meanwhile, will have to wait until the product's official launch on October 22, when the product will start shipping on new computers and hit retail shelves.

Microsoft finalized the code for Windows 7 late last month. CNET colleague Seth Rosenblatt's official review of the operating system can be found here, and I've embedded his video review below.

Another date worth pointing out is August 20--the last day to download the free "release candidate" version of Windows 7. Although it won't last forever, it's a good way for those with some technical know-how to try out Windows 7 for free.

[Random_Walk]

Nota Bene: MPLS (bulk licensing - from either SA, Select, or EA contract) clients can get it tomorrow according to MSFT, and not Friday. ;)

[empirestatebuddy]

Why do consumers have to wait? I want it now! It doesn't take that long to burn a few billion DVDs!

[Random_Walk]

Probably because the OEMs still need time to integrate it with their products. Even in the enterprise, we may be able to download it today, but we still have to test the thing (for months, trust me) before pushing it out.

[Mr. Dee]

I can't wait, I hope Microsoft prepped the servers because there is gonna be a massive rush of users tomorrow.

[JessicaInPink]

Ha ha ha !!! Not so fast...<br /><br />Have you read this report?<br /><br />http://www.infoworld.com/print/86330<br /><br />Windows 7 is getting derailed! HA HA HA HA!!!

[BelkyB]

Great read!<br />I am just surprised how forgiving people have been toward Microsoft. Do people really think they solved their problems? Microsoft's problems run far deeper than re-branding Vista as Windows 7.<br /><br />Windows 7 is going to be a bigger nightmare than Vista. That is what happens when you run before you learn to walk again after a horrible stroke!

[monkeyfun14]

Nice try troll.<br /><br />But it will be patched immediately and is sensationalized.<br /><br />Who even uses chkdisk? Not many people that I know.

[BelkyB]

okay there Mr. Microsoft (aka Monkeyfun14)<br /><br />How are Microsoft salaries these days? You must have been given a lot of vacation time.<br /><br />Good for you!

[Random_Walk]

"But it will be patched immediately and is sensationalized." <br /> <br />Perhaps, but not in time for RTM. I suspect that the patch (if one has been built yet) is still being tested (otherwise the patch may cause more problems than it cures). <br /> <br />"Who even uses chkdisk?" <br /> <br />Windows does, when the computer loses power and recovers. It also gets called up for removeable disks (e.g. USB sticks) on frequent occasion, as as an option when you plug them into a Windows 7 computer. While I have not seen this particular bug memory leaking and/or crashing in build 7100, I can attest that a large removeable USB hard disk will bog down hard when you invoke a scan against it, and a Core Duo (Centrino 2 ) Dell laptop with 4GB of RAM starts losing speed during the scan.

[Random_Walk]

Actually, Microsoft has said they won't even bother with it: <br />http://www.chris123nt.com/2009/08/03/critical-bug-in-windows-7-rtm/#comment-11469

[Random_Walk]

Correction: they blamed the chipset drivers and said they were going to "stress test" it... which means no patch being worked on.

[monkeyfun14]

@Random_Walk<br /><br />They are testing so they are obviously doing something. A patch will most likely be released immediately after they find the cause.

[texaslabrat]

@Random_Walk<br /><br />You seemed to have missed the post directly above the one you linked to which states that the culprit has been determined to be faulty chipset drivers. So that's the reason for not fixing it..it's not actually a bug within chkdsk itself so there's nothing to fix.

[texaslabrat]

nevermind LOL...looks like you posted an update while I was writing previous post.

[Random_Walk]

"it's not actually a bug within chkdsk itself so there's nothing to fix. " <br /> <br />...according to Microsoft. Problem is, it has been reported even with the latest/greatest Intel drivers (as an example).

[empirestatebuddy]

How many months/weeks after Win7 is released that it will pass all of Apple's OSes total market share? <br /> <br />I think Vista did it in a month.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Not until it shows up in OEM PC makers' offerings in the fall, I would expect. <br /> <br />I'm not sure why it matters though. Different markets- people who buy only Macs will.. well, buy only Macs.

[DrtyDogg]

@Vegaman_Dan: That is not true at all. I own a Mac, but my last purchase was a PC. I may even buy another Mac someday if the deal is right. The two OSes can co-exist rather nicely.

[shellcodes_coder]

October 22, within 1 hour :)

[GEO2003]

WAIT - Let me understand this correctly regarding the chkdsk issue. <br />The article actually said that IT professionals run chkdsk very often to check for disk problems ? <br />Is this true ? I mean why, even with redundant servers, why would we choose to run a disk intensive application specially with the commands to fix OS files and Sectors option selected - DURING BUSINESS HOURS - to slow activity for the employees ? what am I missing here. <br /> <br />FIRST - I can't seem to run chkdsk on the main OS partition with the fix options selected, it gives you the message that the disk is being used and you can't run it, do you want to schedule it. <br />Say yes - This is outside Windows now - Stage 4 and 5 TOOK 18 MINUTES. <br /> <br />SECOND - Running a check disk on another partition WHILE INSIDE WINDOWS 7 - I could not even count the seconds, it completed correctly, with NO INCREASE IM MEMORY USAGE within 20 seconds. <br /> <br />I DON'T GET IT, PLEASE HELP - just being a bit funny.

[B-Ri]

I am looking forward to this, though I'm already using the RC on my work Dell laptop. It is a real champ, I am tech support for the company and it works for everything I need to use. I just wish Apple would give a wide beta for Snow Leopard as MS did for 7. I would have loved to try out the native exchange support. My main work laptop is a Macbook and I am in a love/hate relationship with Entourage.

[renGek]

3 gig download. ugh :)

[woodygg]

upgrade from your dialup... 3G is nothing...

[David Dudley]

The download from the MSDN servers is taking a really long time. Clearly, Windows 7 RTM is in demand! I am getting 90k down on my gigabit fiber connection at home.

If you use the links from the Top Downloads page they use Akamai and run MUCH faster than the standard MSDN downloads. <br /><br />MSDN download told me it would take 7 hours and 40 minutes. The Akamai alternate download from Top Downloads took 22 minutes.<br /><br />The really good news... 6 hours in and the servers haven't crashed yet! :)

[lebonmarchant]

I pre-ordered WIN7 at a great price. The got the Beta and tried to use it. Cancelled the order yesterday.<br /><br />It's MY computer and I want access to ALL of the files ALL of the time.

[viper396]

Your comment reeks of obvious BS. You made up your story just so you can pretend to have something to complain about. <br /> <br /> OSX and Linux also protect certain files from casual view. For that matter, even XP and Vista keep certain files away from casual view. Every OS with even a hint of security does. Given the fact that you claim to "want access to ALL of the files ALL of the time", what OS did you plan on using?...DOS, AmigaOS. <br /> <br />If you don't know how to use a computer and get administrative access to protected files then you lack the background to even be commenting or complaining about the subject.

[shellcodes_coder]

I will grab my free copy from MSDN AA :)

[jlhatch]

Will any of the Win 7's upgrade my partition with the Win 7 beta on it? (or do I have do a clean install?)

[bluemist9999]

I've heard you will need to do a clean install of Win 7, even if you have the RC. You can use the Windows Easy File Transfer utility to help.