Whether it's Microsoft getting closer to releasing Windows 7 to manufacturing or increased control over the testing process (my money is on the first variant) is anyone's guess, but fact is that only two interim builds of Windows Vista's successor were leaked this week compared to three the week before. First off, too eager testers could get their hands on Build 7232 (6.1.7232.0.winmain.090610-1900), compiled on June 10, just two days after 6.1.7231.0.winmain.090608-1900 finalized on June 8. But la piece de resistance would come only a few days later with the advent of 6.1.7260.0.win7_rtm.090612-2110.

Leaked Build 7260 brought to the table a .VHD file containing the 32-bit edition of the operating system. Information offered by Wzor for the Build pointed out that 7260 was one of the candidates for the gold Build of Windows 7. It belonged, after all, to the RTM branch build of the operating system, and not to winmain, the main branch tree. Another clue indicating that RTM was indeed close was the disappearance of the various aspects related to Release Candidate throughout the operating system, such as in the End User License Agreement ow in winver.

After the release of 7260, the RTM branch builds of Windows 7 continued to evolve, and went all the way up to 6.1.7262.0.win7_rtm.090617-1900. So far, Microsoft has yet to update winmain beyond 7233, but it is bound to do so in the immediate future. The company is now less than a month away from releasing Windows 7 to manufacturing, as RTM is planned for the second half of July.

The pressure is on for Microsoft to wrap up Windows 7

On June 11, 2009, Microsoft announced the E edition of Windows 7, a SKU for the European market with Internet Explorer stripped from the operating system, in order to respect EU antitrust regulations. The drastic move is a clear indication of the software giant attempting to wrap up all details for Windows 7 ahead of the upcoming July 2009 release to manufacturing deadline. The company is committed to launching Windows 7 in Europe at the same time as in the rest of the world. In order to do this, Windows 7 needs to RTM for Europe concomitantly with the global RTM.

Continuing the discussion on how to resolve the Windows 7 – Internet Explorer 8 monopolist marriage, and delaying a solution would have undoubtedly jeopardized the RTM of the operating system in Europe. The surgical removal of IE8 from Windows 7 delivers a product in line with the regulations imposed by the EU antitrust law and safeguarded by the European Commission. Windows 7 will be available for the public come October 22, 2009.

No Windows 7 Build 7260 installation

Those of you familiar with the screenshot galleries that I have published for the various copies of Windows 7 since Milestone 3, and throughout the Beta, Release Candidate and pre-RTM know that I dedicate part of the articles to the deployment experience. Not the case for Windows 7 Build 7260. The reason is simple enough, there is no installer to speak with, or leverage for and installation. To put it simply, Windows 7 Build 7260 cannot be installed with a 7260 installer. Arguably, there are other methods, but that will make for an entirely new article.

The leaked Windows 7 Build 7260 .VHD file, just ready to be fired up and tested, doesn't require an installation. In this regard, there is no telling how, or even if Microsoft tweaked the deployment process as Windows 7 evolved from RC to RTM. Undoubtedly, Build 7260 is extremely close to RTM, with the Redmond-based company working full time, 24/7, compiling builds even Sunday, as it is the case of Windows 7 6.1.7233.0.winmain.090614-1655, wrapped up on June 14. But there's no telling as of yet of any changes impacting the installation process.

Windows 7 Build 7260

There's no installation, but there is a set up process necessary before getting started. The experience is similar to what Builds 7227 and 7231 offered the past week. With a little change. While the Builds mentioned above contained an extra step in the set up, related to the configuration of Home Group, Windows 7 Build 7260 skips this stage in the same manner as RC Build 7100, for example. Otherwise, as you can see from the screenshots below, the EULA now simply refers to Windows 7, an indication of the RTM stage.

Leaked Windows 7 Build 7232 delivered a new wallpaper, dubbed Harmony, featuring a stylization of the Windows logo. The background is also present in Build 7260. But what is even more important, Windows 7 Build 7260 no longer features the Betta fish wallpaper. The fact that Microsoft has fished the Betta background out of Windows 7 is yet another clue pointing to the proximity of the RTM build.

Otherwise, there's nothing new compared to previous pre-RTM versions. Because it ships as a VHD, no doubt some users will decide to skip this build entirely. Those that don't will find out that the official Release Candidate product keys offered by Microsoft still work like a charm, and that will activate the copy without any issues. As soon as I am able to actually install Windows 7 Build 7260, I'll make sure to provide an update with additional screenshots, with the full eye candy specific to the operating system.