Leaked copy is not final Windows 7, Microsoft says
Microsoft has shot down theories that the final edition of Windows 7 is already available on the filesharing circuit. But its explanation has some loopholes which mean English speakers may indeed be able to get the “finished” product right now.
Previous rumors had said that yesterday (July 13) would be the release to manufacturing (RTM) date for the system. That’s when the finished edition is given to PC makers so they can begin work on installing the system on their machines ready for the official on-sale date. It’s feasible a system could still change between RTM and going on sale, but it would have to be caused by some spectacular error or bug being discovered.
When a new leaked version of the system began appearing on torrent sites over the weekend, some downloaders looked at the build number (which leaped from the 7200s to 7600), put two and two together and got Windows 7. But Microsoft says the date rumors were wrong and that RTM won’t take place until later in the month.
Interestingly the firm goes on to explain that “For us to consider RTM ‘done’, it requires that all languages be completely finished. So there is a lot of work that needs to take place for us to finalize all languages of Windows 7.” That leaves open the possibility that the English language RTM version may already be done and that could be what’s in the latest leak.
Of course, none of that really matters to anyone but the nerdiest downloaders. As Dave Parrack notes, anyone who’s already legally running the official release candidate edition will be able to get their hands on the final RTM edition as soon as it comes out, and it hardly seems worth the risk of viruses from potentially fake copies for the sake of a few weeks.
Microsoft has also confirmed that businesses using the volume licensing option will be able to buy and use Windows 7 from Sept. 1. There’ll will be an introductory offer with discounts of 15 to 35 percent depending on the company’s size and location.
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