Windows 7 releases keep coming – officially and otherwise
Software producers will be able to test their applications on Windows 7 from next month. But the world of leaks is a step ahead: what appears to be a practically finished version of the system is already doing the rounds.
Microsoft has already published technical information so that developers can make sure their applications are fully compatible with Windows 7. But for those who want to see it with their own eyes, the company is running a live testing event at next month’s Microsoft TechEd 2009 conference in Los Angeles.
The event will involve Microsoft setting up a secure Windows 7 platform. Developers can bring along applications to be loaded on to the system and checked for any compatibility issues. Microsoft engineers will be on hand to attempt to solve any problems.
Entry into the event is free of charge, but the space is limited and each session will only run for 75 minutes.
The event comes as the release candidate of Windows 7 draws nearer to release. This edition will be the first that Microsoft effectively labels finished and ready to go one sale, though this stage does exist to pick up any last-minute significant issues. The release candidate isn’t radically different to the beta edition, but does contain numerous tweaks, most notably making Internet Explorer and option feature which can be ’switched off’.
It seems most likely that the release candidate will be available to testers next week and then put up for public download on May 5. However, the system is already available for downloading through unofficial sources such as torrent sites.
Blogger Long Zheng says of the leaked edition that its “authenticity is entirely undisputed”. He’s published technical notes to make sure that anyone downloading the edition gets the genuine article and not a virus-ridden imitation. That said, you’d really have to be a hardcore enthusiast for it to be worth taking any risks now rather than waiting a couple of weeks to get the official download from Microsoft.
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