Windows 7 rumoured ready for manufacturing

Microsoft is preparing Windows 7 for release to manufacturing (RTM), according to reports, suggesting that the software is effectively finished and ready to be delivered to PC vendors.

Windows 7 is set to hit RTM on 13 July, according to various news sites, some of which claim to have had the date verified by unnamed sources close to Microsoft.

However, at the time of writing, Microsoft had not responded to our requests for confirmation.

The official release date for Windows 7 is still set at 22 October, when the new operating system will be available in retail outlets and on new systems from PC manufacturers.

The RTM milestone would mean that the code is essentially finished, but Microsoft will continue to test the code ahead of the formal October release.

Windows 7 is also likely to be made available to enterprise customers with volume licence agreements via MSDN and Microsoft TechNet once it hits RTM, as happened with Windows Vista.

The most up-to-date version of Windows 7 is the release candidate made available at the end of April.