Question

Windows 7 RTM VS Retail

Asked by: a_anis3000

I have access to the recently released RTM version of Windows 7. Before installing it I was wondering if I should wait for the retail version to come out that is due on october 22, or if it would be the same as the retail, hence the need not to wait and can go ahead and use it as my main OS

Thanks in advance
a_anis3000

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Asked On
2009-08-09 at 08:28:21ID24638187
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Windows 7

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Windows 7

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Answers

 

by: blohrerPosted on 2009-08-09 at 08:41:39ID: 25054540

RTM is the same as what is going to be released on October 22.

RTM means Released to Manufacturing...

 

by: gtworekPosted on 2009-08-09 at 09:01:51ID: 25054606

It's the same build: 7600.

 

by: a_anis3000Posted on 2009-08-09 at 09:06:51ID: 25054629

I guess I can safely assume that the RTM is the finished product of Windows 7, the retail is just the boxed DVD copy of RTM and there will be no changes in the retail. Out of curiosity  why would the public version be delayed that long (October 22) if there are no further intention of doing testing/debugging for Windows 7

 

by: gtworekPosted on 2009-08-09 at 09:09:51ID: 25054639

There's no intention of changing anything.
Maybe some patches via windows update but nothing on DVD media.
This delay has some market causes and is needed to prepare DVDs, packages, support, webpages and so on.

 

by: blohrerPosted on 2009-08-09 at 09:18:41ID: 25054673

As GTWOREK said there is need to get the packaging etc ready...

I am running it now on two of my machines.   Driver support is generally better now for Windows 7 than it was the day Vista was released, plus 7 will use Vista drivers.

Time has to be put aside for Manufactures like Dell and HP to get product lines established, images for those machines prepared, any further driver issues worked out.

RTM means Microsoft is finished with it, no further code changes, but it is released to their manufacturing (making shrink wrap packages, printing manuals), and to computer manufacturers.  

Then everything gets released on Oct 22nd.

But if you got the RTM from Technet or MSDN you have what is going to be released on October 22nd

 

by: a_anis3000Posted on 2009-08-09 at 09:24:53ID: 25054695

Thanks for the feedback guys, my doubts now are clear. The only thing I need to worry about now is application/driver compatibility, but since Windows 7 is heavily based on Windows Vista the issue should be minimal as most application/drivers that doesn't officially support 7 but support Vista should work with 7

 

by: a_anis3000Posted on 2009-08-09 at 09:45:32ID: 31613415

Plenty of thanks for the information.

 

by: pratikdagaPosted on 2009-10-08 at 20:19:34ID: 25532132

Nothing Much Has changed Even since RC. So you're better off installing the RTM you have other than waiting for the Retail.. And oh yes all drivers compatible with Vista should wotk for 7 as well. Windows  is smarter compared to Vista in terms of managing hardware and its driver.

 

by: johnwernekenPosted on 2009-10-21 at 22:27:33ID: 25631036

Some driver packasges check OS version and won't run on Windows 7 until mfg updates divder which some refuse to do untuil on or after 10/22, or unless one edits the file in qurestion zand disables the version checking. I have looked at but not done the latder.

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