Windows 7 RC Date Spied for May Release

Whoops, it seems that someone at Microsoft flipped the Windows 7 Release Candidate switch a little too early and gave us pretty good indication of when the RC will hit testers.

Posted inexplicably on TechNet was the download page for Windows 7 Release Candidate, which carried with it a “Published: May 2009” note. Given that it’s still March, it’s a clear sign that Microsoft’s preparing itself for a May launch of RC1.

The notes on the mistakenly posted site read as if many of the details surrounding the RC have already been set in stone. For example, the page already gives the dates of the RC’s eligibility.

“The RC release will be available at least through June 2009 and we're not limiting the number of product keys, so you have plenty of time.”

“Watch the calendar. Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010. So if you install the RC release you'll either need to upgrade to the final version of Windows 7 before that date, or install a prior version of Windows.”

Check out Ars Technica for a screenshot of the now-taken down page.

For those of you running one of the current beta versions, it’ll be a no brainer to upgrade to the RC when it’s out. But are any of you holding out for the RC before checking out what all the fuss is about?

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.
  • Fetttson
    I meant to install the beta, but I just never got around to it. Now that I know the RC is just around the corner, I'm waiting for it to be released before I give Windows 7 a try.
    Reply
  • Siggy19
    I missed out on downloading the Beta and am now building my own PC. Frankly, I'd prefer not to buy Vista and then have to pay to upgrade it to Win7 so I'm eager for the RC to be available. I hasten to add that I have no problem with paying for Vista and getting a free upgrade to Win7, but not with having to pay for the upgrade. If Microsoft want to avoid crippling their revenue this year, I suggest that they quickly confirm the upgrade process and cost for Vista owners.
    Reply
  • Ho0d1um
    I currently have Windows 7 as my OS on my Desktop. I was quite surprised that it ran well on my Desktop before I upgraded it last month.

    Old System:
    Athlon XP 3000+
    Asus A7V8X-X
    2GB Ram
    Nvidia 7600GS (AGP)

    The only problem I had was when installing programs it took a while to start the setup.
    Reply
  • truehighroller
    I have the most recent leaked Winows 7 (7057) and it has been awesome, very stable. The only thing that has been an issue is the fact that only one or two CD ROM emulators work with it and they have minor issues getting nstalled as well but, I worked around that issue and the fact that PunkBuster has not yet released a version of their program that will function properly on the betas....
    Reply
  • curnel_D
    Already using the 'supposed' RC1 build. 7057. Aside from a desktop.ini bug (or debug, who knows) I'm sure they'll update to fix, everything is running just fine aside from bunkbuster. Evenbalance needs to get off their butts, and do something aside from penalize legitement gamers. Meh.

    But anways, quick, speedy, with decent driver support atm, along with the new options to remove windows 'features'. I'd say I'll stick with RC1 until the full release shows up on MSDN servers, at which point I'll promptly upgrade to.
    Reply
  • HermDawg
    On Windows 7 build 7000 now. I'm impressed with the stability compatibility with old software (a lot, but not all of my software works). It even feels snappier than my old XP build.
    Reply
  • cryogenic
    HermDawgOn Windows 7 build 7000 now. I'm impressed with the stability compatibility with old software (a lot, but not all of my software works). It even feels snappier than my old XP build.
    Same here, Win 7 64 bit, build 7000, I can confirm all you said ...
    Reply
  • rigaudio
    FetttsonI meant to install the beta, but I just never got around to it. Now that I know the RC is just around the corner, I'm waiting for it to be released before I give Windows 7 a try.I'm in the same boat. Have heard nothing but praise for W7, can't wait to try out the RC.
    Reply
  • ahslan
    waiting for the gig of ram I ordered from newegg to try out build 7057 on my Fujitsu T4010D tablet...didnt want to bother installing windows 7 with only 512mb of ram...hopefully everything works out
    Reply
  • jsloan
    i want wait for the rc. switching from vista to windows 7 as soon as it hits the street.
    Reply