Redmond released Win7 Build 7600 to manufacturing last Wednesday. This is it, they are packaging it and preparing it for final release.

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC to see if it's ready for Windows 7, and tells you about any known compatibility issues.

This tool is available at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15

Windows 7 beta/RC update

From the Springboard Series newletter:

First things first. Are you still on the Windows 7 Beta? If so, we recommend that you move to the Release Candidate (RC) and fast. Starting today, July 1, the Beta will start to reboot every two hours and will expire on August 1, 2009. Also, the RC download program will close August 15th so make sure to download the RC before then if you haven’t already. You will still be able to install your downloaded copy, and get a key if you need one, after August 15th.

Micorsoft announced that XP will continue to live on until somewhere in 2011.

"Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate customers will have the option to downgrade to Windows XP Professional from PCs that ship within 18 months following the general availability of Windows 7 or until the release of a Windows 7 service pack, whichever is sooner, and if a service pack is developed," a company spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

Vista to Windows 7 Upgrade is free...

Consumers who purchase a Vista-based computer on or after June 26 will be allowed to upgrade to Windows 7 for free, according to a leaked corporate memo from electronics retailer Best Buy (NYSE: BBY).

Windows 7 Will Be On The Streets On October 22!!

Windows 7 will be available on store shelves as well as on new equipment purchases on October 22. Microsoft is will be some kind of discount program (maybe free upgrade) for those that buy computers with Vista of XP now to get to Windows 7 when it is released.

Low priced Win 7 and the new netnooks

Sort of the sum and substance is that the netbooks are eating a significant hole in the laptop business so the vendors are getting together and doing what some are calling price fixing. The deal is like this. Computers with spec GREATER than these are no going to be be able to load the lower priced version of Windows 7 (there is one for the miniature PCs) 10 inch screen, or 1 GB or RAM and 250 GB HDD or 64 GB SDD. I am not going to comment except to say this doesn't appear to be in the best interest of anyone except the controlling group.