Updated test versions of Windows 7 were making the rounds
on a number of torrent sites on Friday, with many expecting the leak
version to be the one that Microsoft distributes shortly as the
official "release candidate" version.
Microsoft has also reportedly given "build 7100" to key partners,
although Microsoft has not commented on that. The software maker also
briefly posted a blog indicating that the release candidate was coming
in May, although that blog was later pulled from Microsoft's TechNet
Web site.
Blogger Long Zheng has an early look at the leaked code, though he doesn't note much in the way of glaring differences between the RC and earlier test versions.
In its earnings announcement on Thursday, Microsoft said only
that it was making progress on the release candidate version, but
didn't note that it had reached the milestone or provide a date for its
public distribution.
The near-final release candidate version is expected to be the
last public milestone before Microsoft finalizes the code for the new
operating system. Microsoft has been publicly cagey about when to
expect a final release, but it is widely expected to be in time for
this year's holiday PC buying season.A Microsoft representative declined to comment for this report.
source....CNET News.