Download rush on Windows 7 RTM

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 7 Aug 2009 at 08:15

Microsoft has started delivering the final version of Windows 7 to IT professionals, sparking an inevitable download rush.

The operating system was made available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers yesterday evening (UK time).

Those who attempted to join the queue straight away were met with slovenly download speeds, as Microsoft's servers struggled under the weight of demand.

PC Pro's download was dribbling down in the low tens of Kbits/sec, while our colleagues on bit-tech and Computer Shopper were also suffering.

Speeds are unlikely to improve today as volume licence customers with Software Assurance subscriptions are given access to the software.

Volume licence customers that don't belong to Software Assurance have to wait until 1 September to get their hands on the Windows 7 RTM.

Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members can download Windows 7 on 16 August, while Action Pack subscribers will be given the operating software a week later on 23 August.

The company has also updated its Windows 7 training kit for developers with the release of the RTM software. The kit will show developers how to take advantage of features such as the new Taskbar Jumplists and Windows 7's support for various different kinds of sensors.