Microsoft Finally Announce RTM Availability!

[Zoom7000]

From Neowin

Microsoft has just sent word that MSDN and TechNet customers will be able to get hold of Windows 7 RTM on August 6.

Windows 7 RTM will initially be available in English on August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st for both MSDN and TechNet customers.

Microsoft has released a time-line for RTM availability, English will be first followed by other languages:

* ISV/IHV - ISV (Independent software vendor) and IHV (Independent hardware vendor) Partners will be able to download Windows 7 RTM from Microsoft Connect or MSDN on August 6th.
* Partner Program Gold/Certified Members - August 16th. By October 1st, the remaining languages will become available to download.
* Action Pack Subscribers - August 23rd. By October 1st, the remaining languages will become available to download.
* OEMs - Approximately 2 days after Microsoft officially RTM
* Volume License with Software Assurance - August 7th via the Volume License Service Center (VLSC). The rest of the languages for Windows 7 RTM should be available within a couple of weeks after that.
* Volume License without Software Assurance - September 1 (downloadable from the Volume License Service Center)
* MSDN/TechNet - August 6th and remaining languages by October 1st.
* Everyone else - October 22nd, general availability date.

Microsoft also confirmed there is no special deal or "thank you" for Windows 7 testers. The special pre-order pricing was "done with our beta testers in mind" according to Brandon LeBlanc.

Microsoft have not confirmed the RTM build number or when exactly they plan to announce the official RTM so the wait continues.

When will you get Windows 7 RTM? - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

Woo Hoo! The wait is almost over! Thank goodness for TechNet!

[powdarrmonkey]

Do customers of XP with software assurance have upgrade rights to Windows 7? (I'm expecting conflicting answers here )

[AngryTechnician]

Do customers of XP with software assurance have upgrade rights to Windows 7? (I'm expecting conflicting answers here )

Unequivocally, yes.

[Gatt]

Excellent News! - I can shift the school to Windows 7 by September!

[Soulfish]

Hopefully since 2008 R2 and W7 are dual releases we'll get access to 2k8 R2 at the same time - which would be perfect for us since we're moving to a new domain and upgrading to 2k8 at the same time, or if it's out 2k8 r2!

[localzuk]

Hopefully since 2008 R2 and W7 are dual releases we'll get access to 2k8 R2 at the same time - which would be perfect for us since we're moving to a new domain and upgrading to 2k8 at the same time, or if it's out 2k8 r2!

I was under the impression that 2k8r2 was coming out next year, not at the same time?

[Soulfish]

I was under the impression that 2k8r2 was coming out next year, not at the same time?

The general availabilty date of 2k8 R2 is the same as W7 (22nd October this year), and according to the windows server team blog they're in sync with W7 as it's a dual development, and are committed to a RTM of the same date as W7.

There's more info at Windows Server Division WebLog : Windows Server 2008 R2 RTm and general Availability and Nathan Mercer's blog : Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM and General Availability dates

Hopefully we'll see availability on Technet and for download from the VL site the same dates as W7

[karlieb]

Yes it is coming out on 22nd October along with Windows 7.

Windows Server 2008 R2 (broadly available on October 22nd) builds on the award-winning foundation of Windows Server 2008

[john]

oOoOo a nice welcome back from my hols gift from MS

[ZeroHour]

I cant wait for both W7 and the r2 bits, r2 does look like a pain the backside to upgrade to though as MS have released the guide for that.

[TheScarfedOne]

@ZH can you post a link to the upgrade notes... ta

[ZeroHour]

2008 Hyper-V -> R2: Description of methods to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 from Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V
It seems the most pain, the rest its a case of do a upgrade install or build a fresh r2 and migrate your roles.
Here is a rough migration outline MS have:
Migrate Server Roles to Windows Server 2008 R2

[CyberNerd]

does someone know when XP support ends? how long do I have to get ready and retrain the dept?

[tonyd]

does someone know when XP support ends? how long do I have to get ready and retrain the dept?

Please click here...

[localzuk]

does someone know when XP support ends? how long do I have to get ready and retrain the dept?

Microsoft Support Lifecycle

So, it looks like it will be in extended support until 5 years after SP3 was released? So, until April 21st 2013? (going by that page)

But that page also lists extended support as ending on 8th April 2014.