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Microsoft's perspective over Windows 7 is that with the RC available, the operating system is done. The software giant is now turning to the million-strong community of volunteer testers that will download and run Windows 7 RC Build 7100 for the feedback that would confirm their view. In this regard, there are a number of things that you need to know about the gold (RTM) edition of Windows 7.

1. “RTM is not one point in time but a 'process' as from RTM we enable the PC manufacturers to begin their processes of building Windows 7 images for new PCs, readying downloads for existing machines, and preparing the full supply chain to deliver Windows 7 to customers. Thus RTM is the final stage in our engineering of Windows 7, but the engineering continues from RTM until you can purchase Windows 7 and Windows 7 PCs in stores at General Availability, or GA,” DeVaan and Sinofsky stated.

2. There will be no more changes in either features or functionality for Windows 7. As the next iteration of the Windows client will evolve from RC, the focus will be placed on softening the rough corners of the operating system. But in terms of feature and functionality, the Windows 7 development milestone that will be released to manufacturing will be the same as the RC Build.

DeVaan and Sinofsky noted that they would save changes for “a future release. We’ve gotten tons of feedback on design and features and shown how we have digested and acted on this feedback throughout many posts on this blog. We know we did not do everything that was asked, and we have also seen that we’ve been asked to do things that are tricky to reconcile. We hoped through the dialog on this blog that we’ve shown our commitment to listening and balancing a wide variety of inputs, and how we have thought about the evolution of Windows.”

3. But at the same time there will be modifications made to Windows 7 ahead of the platform being released to manufacturing. However, any changes will only occur in specific areas designed to improve user experience. Microsoft is ready to address issues impacting installation, security, crashes and hangs, device installation and compatibility, third-party software installations, servicing, and new hardware support.

“Between now and the RTM milestone we will make changes to the code in response the above inputs. We are decelerating and will do so 'gracefully' and not abruptly. We do not have a 'deadline' we are aiming to meet and the quality (in all dimensions) of the product and a smooth finish are the most important criteria for Windows 7,” DeVaan and Sinofsky said.

4. There's also more to Windows 7 than “meets the eye.” The operating system is truly a global product, with previous release being run by over 1 billion people worldwide. Windows 7 RTM will mean support for “nearly 100 languages around the world and to make sure all the supporting materials such as our Windows web site, SDK, resource kits, and so on are ready and available in a timely manner.”

5. Microsoft will only release Windows 7 to manufacturing once the operating system has reached a sufficient level of quality that recommends it for General Availability, and no sooner. While a specific deadline is not yet set, the Redmond company is targeting a GA date ahead of the 2009 holiday season. This can potentially put Windows 7 RTM anytime from three to five months after RC.