Reports across the Web are pointing to a build 7600 for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. This is significant because the bump in the build number would suggest that Microsoft has christened this build as the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) build. The RTM is expected to be given out to Microsoft partners sometime later this month and launched on October 22, 2009, the day General Availability (GA).

The build string is "7600.16384.090710-1945," which indicates that it was compiled just a few days ago: July 10, 2009, at 7:45pm. Microsoft only increments the build number when it reaches a significant goal, and the only one left is the RTM milestone. The last builds that were leaking were all 72xx builds, so such a large bump is suspicious, but at the same time it is something Microsoft would do to signify that this is the final build.

Below are two screenshots (Ars received them via an instant message), one of Windows 7 build 7600 and one of Windows Server 2008 R2 build 7600. For whatever reason, both these screenshots were taken by going to the About Calculator option in the Calculator application. As you can see, Aero is not enabled in either of the screenshots:

Earlier this week there were reports that Microsoft had discovered some show-stopping bugs that would delay the RTM, but if build 7600 is legitimate, then Microsoft has obviously found a way around the issues. This build is in the process of being leaked into the wild, but we recommend exercising caution with build 7600 as Microsoft has not confirmed (or denied) its existence.

Microsoft was rumored to be aiming for compiling the RTM build on July 13, 2009. If 7600 is indeed the RTM build, we can expect an official announcement as early as tomorrow, at the kickoff of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, which is taking place in New Orleans. Of course, for all we know, build 7700 might end up being the RTM, so let's all hold our horses until Microsoft gives the official word.

Thanks to GeekSmack for letting us know about this leak.