Development of Windows 7: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:10, 1 June 2013

Revision as of 10:10, 1 June 2013

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{{blockquote|The very first release of Windows was Windows 1.0, the second was Windows 2.0, the third Windows 3.0. Here's where things get a little more complicated. Following Windows 3.0 was Windows NT which was code versioned as Windows 3.1. Then came Windows 95, which was code versioned as Windows 4.0. Then, Windows 98, 98 SE and Windows Millennium each shipped as 4.10.1998, 4.10.2222, and 4.90.3000, respectively. So we're counting all 9x versions as being 4.0. Windows 2000 code was 5.0 and then we shipped Windows XP as 5.1, even though it was a major release we didn't want to change code version numbers to maximize application compatibility. That brings us to Windows Vista, which is 6.0. So we see Windows 7 as our next logical significant release and 7th in the family of Windows releases...There's been some fodder about whether using 6.1 in the code is an indicator of the relevance of Windows 7. It is not. Windows 7 is a significant and evolutionary advancement of the client operating system. It is in every way a major effort in design, engineering and innovation. The only thing to read into the code versioning is that we are absolutely committed to making sure application compatibility is optimized for our customers.<ref name="Nash14Oct08" /> }}

==Builds==

===Pre-Beta===

<!--Build 6801 does contain the string winmain_win7m3, and is therefore milestone 3! -->

On 8 October 2008, screenshots of Windows 7 build 6801 were leaked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://winfuture.de/screenshots/Windows-7-Meilenstein-3-Build-6.1.6801-3540-1.html |title=Windows 7 Meilenstein 3 Build 6.1.6801 Screenshots and Photos|publisher=WinFuture.de}}</ref> On 28 October 2008, Microsoft distributed Pre-Beta build 6801 (also known as the PDC build) x86 and x64 to attendees at its [[Professional Developers Conference]] (PDC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ditii.com/2008/10/29/windows-7-media-center-features-in-pdc-build-6801-of-windows-7/|title=Windows 7 Media Center Features in PDC Build 6801 of Windows 7|date=2008-10-29|accessdate=2008-11-07|publisher=D' Technology Weblog}}</ref> It has since been leaked to BitTorrent networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idm.net.au/story.asp?id=16324|title=Windows 7 Pre-Beta Hits Bittorrent|date=2008-11-04|accessdate=2008-11-04}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> It features an enhanced taskbar similar to the one in build 6933 although it is disabled by default. An unofficial patch has been released to enable the new taskbar and other hidden features in build 6801.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.withinwindows.com/2008/12/09/blue-badge-rev-3-adds-registry-override-bits-aero-peek-enabled/|title=Blue Badge rev. 3 adds registry override bits, "Aero Peek" enabled|date=2008-10-28|accessdate=2008-10-28|publisher=withinwindows}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doeswhat.com/tutorialwhat/unlocking-special-features-and-taskbar-removing-30-day-trial-and-watermark-on-windows-7-build-6801/|title=Unlocking special features and taskbar, removing 30 day trial and watermark on Windows 7 (build 6801)|date=2008-11-06|accessdate=2008-11-06|publisher=DoesWhat (Tutorial What)}}</ref> The glass window borders in Windows 7 build 6801 have a different blending style, making the colors behind them more saturated. This was removed in build 7000. Also, other features that were present in build 6801 have been removed in later builds like Accelerators, RSS-feed wallpapers and Pen and Touch panning.

<!--Build 6933 and above does not contain the string winmain_win7m3, and is therefore not milestone 3.-->

Microsoft also demonstrated build 6933.winmain.081020-1842 during the PDC, but did not give it to attendees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neowin.net/news/live/08/10/28/introducing-the-windows-7-ui|title=Introducing the Windows 7 UI|date=2008-10-28|accessdate=2008-10-28|publisher=Tom Warren}}</ref><!--According to http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_m3_screens.asp there are two new builds: the one distributed at PDC (build 6801) and one that was only demonstrated (build 6933). Be sure not to get these confused when writing and adding references.--> On 14 November 2008, screenshots of Windows 7 build 6936 were leaked by Winfuture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://winfuture.de/screenshots/Windows-7-Build-6.1.6936-3640-1.html |title=Windows 7 Meilenstein Build 6.1.6936 Screenshots and Photos|publisher=WinFuture.de}}</ref> On 20 November 2008, Microsoft posted screenshots of build 6948 on the Engineering Windows 7 blog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/11/20/happy-anniversary-windows-on-the-evolution-of-the-taskbar.aspx|title=Engineering Windows 7: The Windows 7 Taskbar|date=2008-11-20|2008-11-22|publisher=Microsoft|author=Chaitanya}}</ref> In early December, WinFuture.de leaked screenshots of build 6956, which demonstrated a new bootscreen (since build 6954) and several improvements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://winfuture.de/screenshots/Windows-7-Build-6.1.6956-3664-1.html|title=Windows 7 Meilenstein Build 6.1.6956 Screenshots and Photos|publisher=WinFuture.de}}</ref> At WinHEC in China, screenshots of build 6951 were leaked and an attendee leaked Windows 7 build 6956 x86.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://windows7center.com/windows-7-news/windows-7-build-6956-leaked-by-attendee-at-winhec-china/#more-955|title=Windows 7 Build 6956 leaked by an attendee at WinHEC China|publisher=Windows7Center.com}}</ref> Paul Thurrott has posted several screenshots on his website of another build from the 69xx range.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_m3_69xx.asp|title=Windows 7 Build 69xx Screenshots|publisher=WinSuperSite.com}}</ref> On December 10, 2008, Windows 7 build 6936 x64 leaked to the Internet.

===Beta===

[[Image:Windows 7 Beta.png|thumb|right|Windows 7 Beta]]

On December 23, 2008, screenshots of the Windows 7 beta (build 7000) were leaked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://winfuture.de/screenshots/Windows-7-Build-6.1.7000-Beta-1-%28Englisch%29-3699-1.html|title= Windows 7 Build 6.1.7000 Beta 1 (English)|publisher=Winfuture.de}}</ref> On December 27, the x86 version of Windows 7 Beta build 7000 leaked and quickly spread to torrent sites, and many FTPs. On 5 January 2009, the 64-bit version of the Windows 7 Beta (build 7000) was leaked onto the web.

The Windows 7 Beta was released on January 7, 2009 to TechNet and MSDN subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/01/07/information-on-downloading-and-installing-windows-7-beta.aspx|title=Windows 7 Team Blog Information on Downloading and Installing Windows 7 Beta|first=2009-01-07|accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref> On January 10, after a short delay due to overwhelming demand, both 32 and 64-bit versions of the Beta were made available to the public until the 10th of February. The build number is 7000.winmain_win7beta.081212-1400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9126739|title=Microsoft Extends Windows 7 Beta Availability}}</ref> Existing installations of the beta continued to operate until August 1, 2009 with bi-hourly shutdowns beginning July 1.

===Release Candidate===

[[File:Windows 7 RC.png|thumb|right|Windows 7 Release Candidate]]

The Windows Team Blog announced on April 24, 2009 that the Release Candidate would be available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers on April 30 and to the public on May 5. The release candidate was also reportedly given to OEM partners and TAP gold testers.

The Release Candidate, build 7100.0.winmain_win7rc.090421-1700 was leaked to popular file sharing networks in both x86 and x64 editions on April 24, 2009.

On Thursday, August 20, 2009, the Windows 7 Release Candidate download was removed from Microsoft's website. Product keys for the Release Candidate were available until October 21, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx|title=Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) Download Is No Longer Available|publisher=Microsoft|author=Microsoft}}</ref>

On March 1, 2010, computers running Windows 7 Release Candidate started shutting down bi-hourly, and on June 1 the release candidate expired.

On May 26, an update with 31 languages was available to download through Windows Update.

===Pre-release to manufacturing===

*On April 12, 2009, build 7106 leaked in both x86 and x64 in the Chinese language. On April 13, Language Packs for 7106 x86 and x64 for the English language were leaked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://windows7center.com/news/windows-7-build-7106-x86-english-leaks-kinda/|title=Windows 7 Build 7106 x86 English Leaks (kinda)|publisher=Windows 7 Center}}</ref> Build 7106 was compiled before build 7077 from the RC branch.

*Build 7127.0.winmain.090507-1820, built on May 7, 2009, is available to selected Microsoft Connect testers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Build-7127-Is-Live-111552.shtml|title=Windows 7 Build 7127 Is Live - Forget about 7100 - Softpedia|date=2009-05-13|accessdate=2009-05-14|publisher=Softpedia|author=Marius Oiaga}}</ref> The 32-bit and 64-bit versions of this build were also leaked to torrent sites on May 14, 2009.

*Build 7137.0.winmain.090521-1745, built on May 21, 2009, leaked on May 28 in both x86 and x64 versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/05/28/windows-7-build-7137-leaked |title=Windows 7 build 7137 leaked |publisher=Neowin.net |date=2009-05-28 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref>

*Build 7201, built on June 1, 2009, leaked on June 3 in both x86 and x64 versions.

*Build 7229.0.winmain.090604-1901, built on June 4, 2009, leaked on June 11 in both x86 and x64 versions. Language packs for the build are also available on torrent sites.

*Build 7231.0.winmain.090608-1900, built on June 8, 2009, leaked on June 11 in x86 VHD format.

*Build 7232.0.winmain.090610-1900, built on June 10, 2009, leaked on June 14 in x64 VHD format. Unlike previously leaked builds, this build has a [http://www.winsupersite.com/images/win7/win7_7232_02.jpg new wallpaper] that replaces the <!-- "betta" is not a spelling error -->[[betta]] fish wallpaper, which was the default wallpaper in the Beta and Release Candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Build-7232-Close-to-RTM-Escrow-114232.shtml |title=Windows 7 Build 7232 Close to RTM Escrow - Softpedia |publisher=News.softpedia.com |date=2009-06-15 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref>

*Build 7260.0.win7_rtm.090612-2110, built on June 12, 2009, leaked on June 17 in x86 VHD format.

*Build 7264.0.win7_rtm.090622-1900, built on June 22, 2009, leaked on June 30, 2009 in both x86 and x64 versions. Language packs for the build are also available on torrent sites.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Build-7264-Leaked-and-Available-for-Download-115499.shtml |title=Windows 7 Build 7264 Leaked and Available for Download - Softpedia |publisher=News.softpedia.com |date= |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref>

===Release to manufacturing===

[[File:Windows 7.png|thumb|right|Windows 7 build 7600]]

Microsoft officially announced Windows 7's [[release to manufacturing]] (RTM) release on July 22, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=LeBlanc|first=Brandon|title=Windows 7 Has Been Released to Manufacturing|url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/archive/b/windows7/archive/2009/07/22/windows-7-has-been-released-to-manufacturing.aspx|work=Windows 7 Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=20 May 2013|date=22 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/07/22/microsoft-announces-windows-7-rtm-at-mgx | title = Microsoft announces Windows 7 RTM, MGX details | first= Tom |last=Warren }}</ref> On July 24, Microsoft released Windows 7 to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers and system builders) online, followed by MSDN and TechNet Subscribers via download and Microsoft Connect on August 6, 2009. Since the next day, August 7, 2009, companies which bought Software Assurance have been able to download Windows 7 RTM.

Since August 16, 2009, Windows 7 is available to Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners, followed by Microsoft Action Pack subscribers on August 23. Microsoft has also announced that companies which have a contract with Software Assurance may acquire Windows 7 when it became available for volume licensing on September 1, 2009. Windows 7 reached [[general availability]] stage on October 22, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brandon|first=LeBlanc|title=Windows 7 Arrives Today With New Offers, New PCs, And More!|url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/archive/b/windows7/archive/2009/10/22/windows-7-arrives-today-with-new-offers-new-pcs-and-more.aspx|work=Windows 7 Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=20 May 2013|date=22 October 2009}}</ref>

Language Packs for Windows 7 RTM are available via Windows Update since August 25, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/springboard/archive/2009/08/25/windows-7-language-packs-available.aspx | title = Windows 7 Language Packs Available | author = Stephen L Rose}}</ref>

==Service Packs==