Windows 7 RTM Set for July 13, Family Pack a Possibility

We’ve been so immersed in Windows 7 news for the past year, it’s going to be great when the freaking OS is finally released! Who’s with me?! As we discovered early last month, that will happen on October 22, so the wait isn’t going to be too long from here on out. It now also appears that the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) will be distributed beginning on July 13 to TechNet subscribers (doesn’t seem like the public will have legal access to this one, but I could be wrong).

Also, as a reminder to what we spoke about two weeks ago, Microsoft is currently selling all Windows 7 editions for half-price until July 11. You need to act fast, because a deal like this might not come again anytime soon (and maybe not at all… even OEM prices aren’t quite this good usually).

Another interesting thing to note is that a Family Pack might be en route, but even then the pricing is unlikely to hold a candle to this current half-price sale. Some keen individual noticed a note in the end of the Windows 7 EULA that states, “If you are a ‘Qualified Family Pack User’, you may install one copy of the software marked as “Family Pack” on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there.“.

It hasn’t been made official yet, but it’s pretty hard to misinterpret that.

The main purpose of the RTM build will be to give hardware manufacturers more time to tweak their drivers with a working “final” version of Windows 7. The release of the build will coincide with the kickoff of Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WWPC) set to kick off in New Orleans. Reportedly TechNet, MSDN, and a few other partner connections will all get the RTM build on July 13.