Build 7048 of Windows 7 started off as what was interpreted as fake reports, but continually became contoured in the past couple of weeks, and, following information and screenshots emerging in the wild, the actual bits for the development milestone were leaked and are available for download. Microsoft remains loyal to its strategy under Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, and is serving only major Windows 7 releases to the public and the extended pool of testers. However, Windows 7 Build 7048 is an illustrative example that the Redmond company continues to serve a steady supply of interim builds of the next iteration of the Windows client to close partners.

At this point in time, torrent trackers are offering the leaked 64-bit version of Windows 7 6.1.7048.0 (winmain.090219-1845). The 32-bit version of Win 7 Build 7048 is not available for download, leaked or otherwise. But the x64 version of the latest Windows 7 development milestone is essentially up for grabs for any user with a BitTorrent client. Weighing in at a total of 3.31GB, the download features the following MD5 Hash: AD6F261F 6AC20FA0 F50F7DE7 54491863 A2DD16C2. The leaked copy of Windows 7 Build 7048 doesn't come packaged as a DVD ISO image, but actually offers the installation files from the DVD.

Build 7048 introduces a variety of changes, as Windows 7 moves away from Beta stage to Release Candidate. Being a development milestone from the RC-branch (but not the fully fledged Release Candidate), Windows 7 Build 7048 incorporates both under-the-hood and on-the-surface modifications, including performance tweaks and bug fixes.

At the same time, users will be able to notice that the Start Menu orb now has a new visual effect on mouse over events, with the Send Feedback link gone from the operating system. Starting with Build 7048, Windows Flip (ALT+TAB) lets users scroll through the opened windows on the desktop accompanying the navigation task with Aero Peek. Calculator, Paint and Sticky Notes feature new icons, and Build 7048 also delivers a new version of Windows Media Center. The Superbar, the evolved Taskbar, now allows users to pin more items/icons compared to previous releases.