Windows 7 RTM FAQ

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 14 Jul 2009

There are several questions about the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of the Windows 7 operating system that need to be answered, especially now that Microsoft is getting closer and closer to rolling it out. The Redmond-based software giant has not announced Windows 7 RTM just yet, but it did say that it will do so very soon. It is a shame though that the rumors which said Windows 7 RTM would be announced this week turned out to be false.

Here are the Windows 7 RTM-related questions I though you might want an answer for.

When Will Microsoft announce Windows 7 RTM?
In the second half of July.


Will I, the Windows 7 RC user be able to get it?
Unfortunately nom you will not be able to download Windows 7 RTM for free from Microsoft as you did in the case of the RC.

Who will get Windows 7 RTM then?
Windows 7 RTM will be made available for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers a few weeks after the OS is announced. Volume Licensing will become available to enterprise customers on the 1st of September.

So, am I out of the picture?
Not quite. You can purchase the operating system when it becomes available on October 22nd. Or you could purchase a new PC that comes with Windows 7 preinstalled. Or you could purchase an upgrade edition and switch from your current OS, be it XP, Vista or Windows 7 RC.

What if I do get Windows 7 RTM, will my Windows 7 RC product key work with it?
No, the product key for the RTM will be different than the product keys for the Beta and the Release Candidate. They will simply not work.

Who can get a Windows 7 product key?
The same people that can get the RTM: MSDN and TechNet subscribers as well as Volume License Customers.

I already have Windows 7 Build 7600. Isn’t that the RTM?
The build you probably got of torrent sites is not the Windows 7 RTM.

I have a 64-bit processor system. Will I be able to use Windows 7 RTM on that?
Assuming you can get it, you can use Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 7 Ultimate on your 64-bir processor machine. The operating system works on both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.

What are the minimal system requirements for running Windows 7?
Processor: 32-bit 800MHz processor
Memory (RAM): 512MB
Graphics card: DirectX 9.0 capable
Graphics memory: 32MB
HDD space: 16GB
Other drives: DVD-ROM
Audio: Audio Output

What are the recommended system requirements for running Windows 7?
Processor: 32-bit or 64-bit 1GHz processor
Memory (RAM): 1GB
Graphics card: DirectX 9.0 capable
Graphics memory: 32MB
HDD space: 16GB
Other drives: DVD-ROM
Audio: Audio Output

In related news, you can check out the Windows 7 RC FAQ and the Windows 7 FAQ.


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