Windows 7 Build 7057 Leaked, Screenshotted

With Windows 7 being the new hotness that could make things spiffy for many new (and some old) computers whenever it ships, every new build just adds to the anticipation.

Making its way through the intertubes as we speak is Windows 7 build 7057. Rejoice -- Microsoft is making progress! Deciphering the file name of the disc image indicates that this build was compiled on March 5, 2009, reports Neowin.

Interestingly enough, the About Windows screen indicates that this evaluation copy is good for a year, expiring in March 2010. Those who run this unfinished version of Windows 7 would be assured that the final version, perhaps by then on retail shelves, will be available before the evaluation license expires.

As a better indication than anything else that the Release Candidate is just around the corner is the EULA that refers to the build 7057 as “Release Candidate 1.”

At this point we’d expect that development on Windows 7 is more about fine tuning and bug squashing rather than new features, but there are a few things that SuperSite picked up as new, such as new desktop themes and user account images.

Image credits: Neowin and SuperSite.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • raffish315
    Good, but when will the final version eventually be released to the public?
    Reply
  • skine
    Though run this unfinished version of Windows 7 would be assured that the final version, perhaps even for retail, will be available before the evaluation license expires.
    What? I know that the inclusion of new user account icons is exciting, but please, contain yourself enough to write coherently.
    Reply
  • curnel_D
    Downloading now. Will keep this 64-bit on my main machine until release. Been waiting for this one. Yay.
    Reply
  • curnel_D
    skineWhat? I know that the inclusion of new user account icons is exciting, but please, contain yourself enough to write coherently.Lol, this is TH. What would you expect?
    Reply
  • smfrazz
    That's the big question. My take...is well before the holiday season. They would benefit from a boost in sales with new HW bundles for the holiday season, recession or not. I just installed it today and it does seem more stable. Whatever they've done to the IP stack is making my internet speed increase significantly according to www.speedtest.net. From a typical 20,000 kbps to 48,500 kbps for Comcast. Go figure...
    Reply
  • NuclearShadow
    I have a feeling this isn't a real "leak" With such a good reputation for Windows 7 already Microsoft has to keep our interests and bait us with things like this.
    Reply
  • akhammer
    Wonder if NVLDDMKM will disappear
    Reply
  • wavetrex
    The art team can work independently from the develeopment one... so new preety pictures and backgrounds can appear all the time.
    Reply
  • Shnur
    Yeah, this year it'd be awesome... Windows 7 is now more advanced at Beta than Vista was at RC... mainly since there's less compatibility problems. Downloading the 64-bit, crossing fingers for a better build than the 7000.
    Reply
  • Milleman
    What's new under the sun? Nothing. Looks like Windows, so why the hype then? I'm sure this is a Microsoft intentional leak so people won't forget to buy Windows... again!
    Reply