Windows 7 RTM Release Schedule Roadmap and Anytime Upgrade from Vista
Windows 7 is gearing up for its final RTM (release to manufacturing), despite many people around the world still waiting to get a hand on beta build version of Windows 7. Microsoft has published and distributed an updated Windows 7 release roadmap to OEM partners. However, the most important information – the actual release date – is still unknown.
Windows 7 Localized Languages Editions Release Waves
|
Release Date |
Language Edition |
|
|
Wave 0 |
RTM |
English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French |
|
Wave 1 |
RTM + 14 Days |
Italian, Dutch, Russian, Simplified Chinese |
|
Wave 2 |
RTM + 28 Days |
Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Turkish, Korean |
|
Wave 3 |
RTM + 45 Days |
Traditional Chinese, Czech, Portuguese, Hungarian |
|
Wave 4 |
RTM + 59 Days |
Danish, Norwegian, Finnish |
|
Wave 5 |
RTM + 73 Days |
Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Ukrainian |
|
Wave 6 |
RTM + 87 Days |
Thai, Romanian, Lithuanian, Slovak, Bulgarian |
|
Wave 7 |
RTM + 101 Days |
Estonian, Croatian, Serbian, Latvian, Slovenian |
Update: Windows 7 RTM Release Schedule has been updated.
The release of various language editions of Windows 7 will be separated into 8 waves, which spanning across 4 months from the first wave release upon Windows 7 RTM. Since the schedule is meant for OEM manufacturers, which normally get the code bits earlier. So the general public and retail channels will likely see a date which is later from OEM release.
Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU)
Similar to Windows Vista Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) program, Windows 7 customers can also enjoy the Windows Anytime Upgrade service (only apply to consumers who bought Windows 7 editions lesser than Ultimate). End users who wish to upgrade to a “more premium” version of Windows 7 can purchase an upgrade key to unlock additional features. For example, Windows 7 Home Premium edition can pay to purchase an upgrade product key to instantly upgrade to Windows 7 Business or Ultimate edition.
Microsoft’s OEM partners have chosen not to support WAU. Therefore, Microsoft will directly provide WAU to end-users by:
- Supporting the end user through the upgrade process and digital upgrade key delivery.
- Supporting the end user after the upgrade. In other words, Microsoft will assume the responsibility of supporting Windows 7 after end user upgrades.
- Redirecting support calls from end users who have upgraded through WAU to Microsoft.
Other than upgrade from cheaper Windows 7 editions, Windows Vista users will also have chance to upgrade to Windows 7, although the program will likely to start at a later date after Windows 7 is RTMed. Only Windows Vista Home Premium, Business and Ultimate edition are qualified to upgrade to Windows 7, and the language versions supported are only the languages listed in the first 4 waves. Beside, the upgraded Windows 7 edition has to be corresponding to the Windows Vista edition, for example, Windows Vista Home Premium can upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium.
There is no pricing info yet.
Update: Windows 7 Upgrade Options technology guarantee program officially launched, and pricing details of Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade.
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Entries (RSS)
July 29th, 2009 01:53
[...] from Windows XP to Windows 7, Windows Vista to Windows 7 and of course Windows 7 to Windows 7 with Windows Anytime Upgrade, where users can upgrade from lower-end edition of Windows 7 to higher end version. Windows 7 will [...]
July 13th, 2009 08:56
[...] not all language versions of Windows 7 will be available on zero launch day. However, contrary to previous roadmap that saw up to 8 waves of release, all languages available for Windows 7 will be released in 2 [...]
July 10th, 2009 00:13
[...] pricing of Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) for Windows 7. So far Microsoft has revealed little about Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade, except that it will be offered directly from Microsoft, and through retail stores, but not OEM [...]
February 7th, 2009 03:47
[...] by PressPass, editions of Windows 7 are a superset of one another. Which means that when customers upgrade from one version to the next, they keep all features and functionality from the previous edition. Besides, different editions of [...]
January 5th, 2009 16:39
When Windows 7 for Indonesia?
Wave 8?