Microsoft Releases Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Manufacturing

Microsoft today announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, the next versions of its flagship desktop and server operating systems. This signals the completion of the development phase and industry partners including OEMs and Independent Hardware Vendors (IHVs), are now readying products in time for the worldwide general launches of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows 7 will be available by October to customers across the world, with current Windows Volume License customers, MSDN subscribers and TechNet subscribers getting first access in the coming weeks itself.

With Windows 7, Microsoft is delivering a foundation for exceptional customer experiences across applications, services and devices. Windows 7 enhances PC manageability and introduces compelling new experiences, delivering an operating system that is nimble, highly reliable, more secure, optimized for today's powerful hardware and able to easily connect with the devices people use today. It reflects an evolved approach to engineering that weaves customer and partner feedback more closely into the development process. Windows 7 delivers innovative new features while focusing on preserving application and device compatibility.

Key time lines
Audience	When they will receive Software images of Win 7
OEMs	Next 2 days
ISV (Independent software vendor) and IHV (Independent hardware vendor)	August 6th, 2009
Developers with MSDN Subscriptions	August 6th, 2009
Volume License (VL) customer with an existing Software Assurance (SA)	7th August, 2009
Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members	August 16th, 2009
Volume License customers without a SA license	1st September, 2009
Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers	August 23rd, 2009