Microsoft Confirms Windows 7 Release Ready For The Holidays
Microsoft originally promised that Windows 7 would be released within three years of Vista—which would put the release date in January 2010—but now the folks at Redmond have confirmed that Windows 7 (and Server 2008 R2) will officially be ready for the 2009 holiday season. We’d already heard plenty of rumors regarding the Windows 7 release date, and while almost everyone was positive that the shiny new operating system would be available in 2009, this is the first confirmation from Microsoft. [Ars Technica]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Of course it will be ready for the XMAS season - DUH! If you didn't see this coming there must be something wrong with you.
That's one of the best times for selling computers in general, which means that Windows 7 will actually be sent to OEMs and other companies by September.
QADude
Yes but will it be here in time for the fall semester? And when will they start offering the free upgrade from vista to 7?
@sammybrence:
MS has long offered discounts in the form of the upgrade version. Most people don't realize, but you usually don't have to upgrade an older installed version of Windows. You can do a full clean install using an upgrade disk (though it was a trick on Vista).
$99... probably not. But a retail upgrade to Vista Home Premium is $129 at newegg... similar prices for W70 wouldn't break the bank.
ericesque
@virgilstar: On the download page for RC they say that you'll have to do a reinstall for the final version.
ssj4Gogeta
@hal9000: Err.. November - December.
Am loving the Win7RC on my laptop, and the only thing I'm concerned about now, is how exactly they will handle the transition from those with the RC to a full copy?
If it requires going out and buying a copy of Win7 thhis fall, and doing a cold reinstall, I will not be pleased.
I would be more than happy however, if they offered a way to "officialize" the RC version into a full licensed version via an SP install for a nominal fee (like $99) - they really should do SOMETHING for all the folks who helped them out with the beta/RC testing?
As for upgrades from Vista, I'm not bothered - I'm happy to pay whatever it takes to leave it behind.
I am english.
Holiday season is anwhere between june and december pretty much.
infact holiday is all year round so when is the holiday season on your calendar?
@James Sugrue: XP until my machine dies then linux
(I would switch now if I didnt need PowerPoint for my studies...)
metalmarious
Unfortunately, I guarantee that if they did allow a cheap (or free) upgrade path from Windows Vista, it would not be for OEM copies, but for people who actually purchased the retail version. Kind of the same thing as the free upgrades from 32-bit to 64-bit, where it was only if you had the retail version.
That's unfortunate since a lot of us get OEM copies.
BrianB
Now if my Vista Ultimate only comes with a cheap upgrade path to Windows 7, i.e. FREE......
Not that I personally hated Vista, but Im really digging the RC of 7.
Chris Memering
Yea for Windows 7! Im very happy with Windows 7 right now. Ive totally dumped Windows Vista to the Curb.. In fact Microsoft should at least offer a Discount for those with vista to upgrade to 7. They know windows vista was a failure. But yea Back to real life.. We all know no discount will happen. We will be lucky if we can upgrade for 99 bucks.
If Apple hadn't bought out eMagic, and stopped updating windows support, I would totally upgrade. It looks like I'll be running XP forever.
@rkinne01: That or the very minute halloween is over when every retailer starts haulin' out last year's un-sold stockings and sleigh bells.
skidmarker
@Joshiii-Kun: Or in openoffice
jercb123
I think the holiday season officially begins on "Black Friday", which is the day after Thanksgiving.
rkinne01
@Martin Frich: This is a vague Microsoft announcement, so somewhere between November-December. This was their roleout for Vista: It was on PCs being bought for Christmas, and OEM around New Years, I think.
Paul Little
@metalmarious:
Can't you use Powerpoint on Linux with Wine?
Joshiii-Kun
@Darkmatter91:
The free upgrade starts with PC's bought July 1st and after, that part has already been announced. I predict Sept/Oct for the official release.
trunk8
@Darkmatter91: "And when will they start offering the free upgrade from vista to 7?"
Good one.
penguiniator
oooh! Sounds like I'll have to buy myself an extra gift to put under the shrub this year!
@virgilstar:
That is why i will keep dual boot with Vista... I use Win7 right now for exploring and familiarizing myself with its features. And when official releise come i will do new install and start "full" use of this operation system .
didytz
Is there an exact date, for the release? Holyday season, doesn't make sense to me. (:
æøå
Martin Frich
@virgilstar:
Oh, come on... you really feel you 'helped MS out' by evaluating the beta/RC? Did you even use the 'send feedback' link in the Beta? Or did you perhaps use one of the many available tutorials on how to hide the link?
Furthermore, was it not repayment enough to let you use their new OS free for a year before it was available to the general public? Especially seeing as how you probably REALLY ENJOY getting to be one of the early adopters.
Sure we're all a bit strapped for cash these days, but let's at least be honest about why we want a discount.
ericesque
I'm thinking by then I may just be 100% Ubuntu Linux. I was thinking about moving from W7 7000 to release candidate but I don't like the lack of easy upgradability or the way the RC will stop working. I'm just about done suffering with costly bugged improvements and would like to give someone else a try.
BevisHeron
how much? >> $
@virgilstar: What about beginning the a fresh install of 7, then restoring from a backup of the RC?
stevenism
@QADude: Not so "duh" for Vista. Recall that Vista was released to businesses only before the holidays 2006. The retail version didn't come out until Feb. 07.
R.C. stands for Release Candidate, meaning it's not a consumer grade product. Of course they're not going to have an upgrade path to the release version.
RexAtropos
I am pleased with Windows 7 RC1 thus far. It does have some bugs with the taskbar, when it is put at the top of the screen. Other than that I have had no issues. The release is very stable.
I do not plan on buying Windows 7. Microsoft has never once given the community a break. I would love to see the full retail Windows 7 Ultimate on sale for $99.99 for one straight month.
It will never happen. Microsoft is money hungry. They're doing the same thing. 5 versions of Windows. My customers at Best Buy hate that. It's too confusing.
Microsoft is trying to capitalize on every last dime instead of giving their users all of the features for one good price.
OSX is $129.99
Its the full retail release.
Microsoft doesn't care about its customers. They would rather annoy them.
pvtryan3
@hal9000: My thoughts exactly. but a quick Google shows the "Holiday Season" is basically Christmas.
Matthew Peel
I really hope they allow free upgrades for vista users. I use Xp right now, but i don't think they would mind if i said i'm running vista. ;p
VirgilDaedalus
Super pumped for Windows 7, but won't be upgrading the entire corporation until Office 14 is released. THEN we'll be doing all new PC's loaded with Win7/Off14. At which time the 6 year old Pentium 4's with XP and Office 2003 to go in to retirement.
Charles Root Jr
No actually its not "DUH" and your not messed up if you didnt "see this coming." I see your point, but its pretty obvious why people would question this considering Vista was released in January...@QADude:
blkhockeypro19
Is windows 7 available just upgrade version.
I am using vista and want to just upgrade it, how much have to pay for upgrade version.
smith134
@ericesque:
Actually yes, I do use the send feedback link. :p
And it's not really "using their OS free for a year", its using an OS with no support, which is only just out of beta, where one has to cross-fingers and hope it doesn't crash because you'll be out in the cold if it does.
@smith134:
Yes, upgrade versions will be available. How much will depend partly on what version of Vista you have.
Vista Ultimate can only be upgraded to W7 Ultimate, so your upgrade version of W7 will probably be more. I'm not sure how other upgrade paths work because I only have Ultimate ;)
Oh, but we have no idea what price points will be. Maybe look at Vista prices to get an idea.
ericesque
@skidmarker:
GAH! TARGET!
Our local Target has had a section of Christmas crap (mostly sports and nascar themed) that they can't get rid of and makes it's debut every year for the last 3 or 4 years right after halloween!
ericesque
@stevenism:
I used that concept to move from Vista to W7 beta. It worked fine except for Aero absolutely wouldn't work on the migrated user account. I would imagine that going from W7 RC to W7 RTM would work even better.
ericesque
@MuglyTheWorm: probably a lot of $'s
pilferingpanda
@RexAtropos: They probably wont need one they will probably just have the user enter the new product key and allow that machine access to an special update. Even if they don't allow a smooth update from RC1 keep all of your files together 7-zip them and just backup that archive and copy them over after u reinstall.
pilferingpanda
All vista 32bit keys work with 64bit. doesn't matter if it's oem or retail, or an upgrade. I've done this a lot so I know this is fact. I use an MSDN vista ultimate 64bit dvd and it has let me install the 64 bit version for any key i've had, even OEM keys on the back of laptops.
SheetalOenomaus
I am just glad that I am still part of Indiana University and those sick deals that we get on software. Sometimes it kicks ass to be a student.
SanaKolder
It would be nice if there was a price attached. Windows 7 maybe fine but if it comes in the same cost as Vista crazy prices were I will be very disappointed.
LizaBadger