Microsoft made copies of Windows 7 RC available to subscribers of its MSDN and TechNet services, and so many IT professionals requested copies that the company temporarily had to take some servers offline. The demand was good news for Microsoft, which has been working closely with developers and end users to craft a product that will be more warmly received than Windows Vista. So far, it looks like Microsoft may have succeeded.

Favorable Reviews So Far

Brittany Robbins, a spokesperson for Microsoft, said the initial reaction has been positive. "Based on feedback we've received from beta testers and early adopters," she said, "we think Windows 7 is on track to be the most well-planned, highest-quality Windows release ever. The release candidate of Windows 7 reflects extensive beta tester feedback, and is ready for IT professionals and tech enthusiasts to evaluate."

The general public will get its turn to thrash Microsoft's servers on Tuesday, when the release candidate can be downloaded by anyone interested. In a move that reflects Microsoft's commitment to the success of Windows 7, the release candidate will remain fully functional for more than a year.

"The Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010, and bi-hourly shutdowns will begin on March 1, 2010," Robbins said. "However, since the general availability of Windows 7 is scheduled by Jan. 30th, 2010, people will be able to move to that version before the RC expires."

August Ship Date?

Consumers may not have to wait until the new year to install the official Windows 7 release. According to the rumor-gathering Web site Pocket-lint, Acer has announced that it will begin selling a Windows 7-equipped PC, the Z5600, on Oct. 23. That could be a big boost for PC manufacturers in general and Microsoft in particular, heading into the holiday season. Acer customers who purchase machines with the Vista operating system in the 30 days before Oct. 23 will get a free upgrade to Windows 7 on that date.

However, some observers are predicting a final release sometime in August. Computerworld reported Friday that the gap between release candidate 1 for Windows XP was 115 days, and for Windows Vista it was 138 days. Given the May 5 distribution of Windows 7 RC1, that puts Windows 7 on the shelves right around the end of August.

Microsoft is being coy about possible acceleration of the ship date. On Monday, Microsoft Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said, "A holiday release is accomplishable." Apart from that small hint, Microsoft has its story -- "The specific release date will be determined once the company meets its quality bar for release" -- and it's sticking to it.