ED#105 : The Latest Microsoft Windows 7 Roadmap

As the Windows 7 GA (General Availability) date approaches, Microsoft is releasing regular updates to OEMs on the Windows 7 operating system. Here is their latest update. We may receive internal updates now and then. Be sure to check back often!

Update @ November 28 : Microsoft has delayed the scheduled update on the Windows 7 program from November 13 till the first week of December, 2008. Tentatively, the target date is December 1. So be sure to watch out for an update then!

Update @ December 9 : Microsoft has delayed the scheduled update on the Windows 7 program yet again, this time from the first week of December, 2008 to the second week. Tentatively, the target date is December 12. So be sure to watch out for an update then!

Update @ December 9 : We received updates on the Windows 7 SKU plan, Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) program, the Windows 7 Technical Guarantee Program and Windows Live. Take a look at the updates!

Update @ February 5 : We received updates on the Windows 7 SKU plan, launch schedule and the Windows Live program. Take a look at the updates!

Update @ February 12 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule and Tech Guarantee Program sections with additional information. Take a look!

Update @ February 25 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule and Tech Guarantee Program sections with new information. We also added a new Improved Windows Experience Index section. Take a look!

Update @ April 25 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule with the confirmed release date and details of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) build. Check it out!

Update @ May 5 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule with the rough launch date for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 Release 2. We also posted a report on Microsoft's plans to do away with the 8 language waves and release all languages within 4 weeks. Check it out!

Update @ May 20 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule with news of an OEM operational readiness meeting with Microsoft regarding the launch of Windows 7.

Update @ June 3 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule with the final Windows 7 General Availability date, as well as other updates to the Windows 7 release schedule and language waves. We also revamped the entire article with additional links to more detailed Windows 7 articles.

Update @ June 19 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule with the latest compressed release schedule and revised language waves for Windows 7.

Update @ June 27 : We updated the Windows 7 Launch Schedule with the latest RTM date for Windows 7 and improved the language wave release schedule for Windows 7.

Latest Update @ July 9 : We posted an update on rumours of Microsoft slipping on the RTM of Windows 7.

Latest Update @ July 9 : We posted details of the actual RTM date and build of Microsoft Windows 7.

Windows 7 SKU Details

Microsoft has finally finished product research based on feedback from OEM and end users, and have already finalized their SKU strategy. Take a look at our February 5 update.

Update @ November 25 : Our confidential source says that Microsoft has dropped the Business SKU for Windows 7. It will be replaced by Windows 7 Professional, which will also come with Windows Media Center.

Update @ December 15 : Microsoft has further delayed announcement of the SKUs, citing delays in "internal efforts to complete and review product research". They now plan to reveal their final SKU plan to OEM partners (not the public) on January 8, 2009.

Update @ February 5 : Microsoft has finally revealed their final SKU strategy to their OEM partners. We were able to some information on that and have posted them here.

Note : All future updates regarding Windows 7 SKUs and hardware requirements will be posted in The Microsoft Windows 7 SKU Strategy Revealed article.

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