14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 7 Build 7137 is the latest interim development milestone of the next iteration of the Windows client that was leaked into the wild. While the build indeed provides confirmation that Windows 7 is moving toward the RTM milestone, it will not satisfy the hunger for the gold release of the operating system. Fact is that even as early as Beta Build 7000, Windows 7 feels ready for release. And while the Redmond-based company beat its own estimates for general availability, now pressing ahead for a pre-holiday (read mid-October 2009) launch, it is not about to rush the release of Windows Vista's successor. This even though, technically, Windows 7 Release Candidate Build 7100 is as close to RTM as possible
“As you can imagine, our team is quite busy working through this next phase of Windows 7. We definitely appreciate the millions of downloads and installs of the Windows 7 RC. Things are going as we expect at this point. On a personal note, I wanted to thank all the folks who have been sending me mail. I’ve received a lot of kind words and support regarding the RC and quite a few people saying 'hurry up and just release it'. We outlined the steps we’re taking for this next milestone and aren’t going to rush things. We’ve got a lot of work for sure,” revealed Steven Sinofsky, Senior Vice President, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group.
Sinofsky provided the update earlier this week. There isn't much there, but mentioning that everything is going as expected in fact means that Windows 7 is on track to being released to manufacturing and the to the public in the second half of this year. Microsoft is yet to discuss any official upcoming delivery deadlines, but will most likely do so later in the development of Windows 7 towards RTM. According to unconfirmed reports, the pricing for Windows 7, for example, will be unveiled to the public in mid-June 2009. I've said it before, and I'm willing to repeat it, it will be a mistake for Microsoft to price Windows 7 above Vista, no matter the quality gap between the two platforms.
Stick with the RC
Windows 7 Build 7137 brings nothing new to the table. At least not on the surface, because the product is evolving toward RTM. Testers that are currently using Windows 7 RC Build 7100 should stick with that release. Users looking to get aboard the Windows 7 testing wagon should also download and install Windows 7 RC available from Microsoft. Using the activation product keys from the Redmond-based company, Widows 7 RC can be used until at least March 2010, at which time the operating system will start to shut down every two hours. Complete expiration will come on June 2010.
As Windows 7 Build 7137 (7137.0.090521-1745) was compiled on May 21, Microsoft has undoubtedly moved onward with producing interim builds of the platform. Still, users should be extremely careful when it comes down to accessing Windows 7 releases from torrent trackers or other illegal sources, as the risk is that the bits could be infested with malware. Always make sure to check SHA1 and MD5 information, and if the data is not available, then better not risk the download.
Even before Windows 7 Build 7137 was leaked, there was chatter on a few forums built around Windows enthusiast communities related to leaked details of Build 7140. A screenshot allegedly from that release started circulating, and got picked up by a few blogs. That screenshot was fake. And there is no way of telling what exactly Windows 7 Build 7140 will bring to the table. But try and take reports about Windows 7 development milestones with a grain of salt, no matter where they originate.
At this point in time, unconfirmed reports indicate that Microsoft managed to take Windows 7 all the way to Build 7141. But as I have already said, this means nothing more than the software giant continues to produce interim builds of the next version of the Windows client, softening all the rough edges before the product is released to manufacturing.
Windows 7 Build 7138 Service Pack 1
One interim build of Windows 7 that manages to stand out from the crowd is 7138. Windows 7 Build 7138 comes with Service Pack 1 already installed according to information leaked by Wzor. Both copies of the Windows 7 client Build 7138 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Build 7138 feature Service Pack 1 already installed. The full build string for both the client and the server version is 7138.winmain_win7ids_sp090523-2200.
No word from Microsoft on just what the new Windows 7 SP1 builds mean, but it is highly unlikely that the Redmond-based company has already debuted the building and testing of the first service pack for Windows 7. My best guess is that the software giant is simply testing the mechanism of integrating service packs into Windows 7, but it is nothing more than a guess. However, from the screenshots leaked in the wild, it appears that 7138.winmain_win7ids_sp090523-2200 is as real as it gets. Furthermore, it seems that Microsoft has moved as high as 7141.0.winmain_win7ids_sp.090528 with the Windows 7 builds containing service pack 1.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 (Release Candidate) RC Build 7100.0.090421-1700 is available for download here.
