// Home / News

Windows 7 ships early to avoid postal strike

Posted on 20 Oct 2009 at 09:17

Microsoft has confirmed that it's allowed UK retailers to start shipping copies of Windows 7 early, as the postal strike threatens to derail the operating system's launch.

Reports are flooding in from PC World customers who've received their copies of Windows 7 days ahead of official launch.

The retailer claims the action is intended to avoid the fallout from Royal Mail's planned 48-hour strike on 22 October - the same day as Windows 7's high-profile coming-out party.

Windows 7 complete guide

Discover all the new features of Windows 7 with our complete guide

"Given the threat of Royal Mail strike action, we have consulted with Microsoft and authorised the early release of a first batch of Windows 7," says a PC World spokesperson.

Though we've only heard from PC World customers thus far, Microsoft says the measures affect the UK's biggest retailers.

"Microsoft is aware of the planned postal strike and has taken action to minimise impact on those customers who pre-ordered their copies of Windows 7," the company says in a statement. "As a result, some customers may receive their copy of Windows 7 a day or two early."

Amazon has not confirmed whether it will be shipping Windows 7 early, but claims it's taking steps to ensure customers receive their copies on time. "We will be doing everything we can to ensure that Amazon customer orders are not disrupted including routing orders through our other carrier partners," says the company.

Author: Stuart Turton

User comments

And I wish it hadn't shipped at all, let alone early!

I installed my W7 yesterday, and I cannot say I like it. Even after Vista:
IE8 won't work. Firefox does, and is my favourite so I am not that bothered, but come on, this is their own program.
Kaspersky antivirus was not compatible, so I have had to get a different av program. That was not mentioned in the MS upgrade advisor beforehand.
The task bar is horrible. Even with "small" icons they take up a huge space. No more quick start bar with nice little icons.
I've lost my fingerprint access control as it was not compatible.
Oh, and an RC1 error is still there. Try to print the homegroup password that W7 sets up for you, and it gives error 2147500037. My printer is fine and set as default, and prints from other programs. I have not been able to find a solution to that other than "print screen".

By fellwalker2000 on 20 Oct 2009

@fellwalker2000

In what way doesn't IE8 work? It works fine for me in the RC. Or do you mean certain websites don't work in it? If you tried the RC, why did you upgrade to the final version if you were likely to have so many issues? Just interested. My copy has also just arrived, but I won't have time to do anything with it just yet.

By mhawkshaw on 20 Oct 2009

@fellwaker2000, I had No problems at all.

Got & installed my Windows 7 yesterday too.
Log onto your Kaspersky account and download the latest Kaspersky 2010.
I installed Kaspersky Internet security 2010, working fine with W7.
IE and Firefox both are working. Firefox is disappointing as its NOT 64bit.
The Homegroup password is just 10 digits long, try writing it down and save wasting a whole sheet of printer paper.

I installed my W7 on a new hard drive partition, dual-boot with my old Vista 64bit OS.
The Windows Easy Transfer Tool worked well. No additional tweaks needed at all.
No problems at all.

By Tibbs on 20 Oct 2009

I received mine as well

Yup, first time since I was about 12 that I've ordered something from PC World, and Home Premium arrived yesterday, but not the Professional version that I also ordered. But I'm still pleased with PC World's stance.

@Fellwaker, I had no issues either. W7 picked up my printer driver automatically, although I did subsequently d/l the latest one as well.

By Carl_Asaba on 20 Oct 2009

Received mine yesterday. I had been intending to install it on a larger HD I bought for my laptop, but ended up installing XP since the release candidate didn't like my laptop's graphics and my old install fell over completely so I couldn't wait to see if the release code faired any better. May try it in the old disk but it's a pain to get into the unit to swap them.

By simbr on 20 Oct 2009

My Amazon order has gone to "dispatching soon" so will presumably go out today rather than tomorrow as planned.

By halsteadk on 20 Oct 2009

Win7 no Problem

I received Win 7 on 19-10-09.
So far no errors and it is faster.I use a clean install.

By asbx81 on 20 Oct 2009

Nick Vidamour

Received an e-mail this morning from Amazon to state that windows 7 had been despatched via royal mail special delivery so looks like we'll have it tomorrow from them.

By mesha64 on 20 Oct 2009

Got mine yesterday

Although I already had it installed on my main PC for work.
--------------------

@fellwalker2000 - XP taskbar items are 162 pixels wide and "small icon" taskbar icons are 44 pixels wide in Win7. How is that "huge space"? That's smaller than XP and Vista.

Kapasky works with Windows 7 (see http://www.kaspersky.com/windows7)

IE8 Works. I don't LIKE it, (I use Firefox) but it does work.

I bet you can find drivers for your fingerprint reader if you look.

Stop blowing FUD and do some research.

By cheysuli on 20 Oct 2009

@Fellwalker2000

Judging by your strong anti-Microsoft stance in many of your 49 forum posts I have doubts you even have 7 yet to be blunt. I've had no trouble at all on the two machines I've now upgraded to 7 and can't see why you're complaining about some issues that are not even issues.

By skarlock on 20 Oct 2009

Repeat of Carl_Asaba

- only without the Pro version, had an e-mail last friday stating they would dispatch on the 22, expect arrival 5-7 days later. Two HPre eds arrived yesterday - Well done PC World for that!

Installed & running fine.
Have to agree with fellwalker2000 about the taskbar, maybe not 'huge' - but they are very spaced - I prefered the taskbar too. Still, let's see if it 'get's better' in time - didn't like the XP Start menu at first, either

By greemble on 20 Oct 2009

20+ failed install attempts and counting

Got my copy yesterday. So far I've tried to install it 20+ times and it always freezes during the expanding files stage. Unplugged everything, set BIOS to its most conservative settings and still if freezes. 32-bit and 64-bit versions both fail but Vista 32-bit on same hardware is fine. Tried hard disk in another machine an install is fine on that too. Seems related to my NVidia 650i motherboard chipset and Samsung F1 750GB hard disk but not sure what I can do to resolve it.

Can't get support from Microsoft as you need a product ID and it appears you don't get one of them until you've installed it.

Total frustration.

By Wootiful on 20 Oct 2009

No Problems

Got my Copy Yesterday, It Seems Currys are also Shipping it Early, I must say i am surprised, But it installed Fine, no problems and seems to be OK, picked up all drivers. So far So good........

By miawan on 20 Oct 2009

No browser choice on install!!!!!

I was really please to get my copy early and love the new OS - curiously though, I didnt get a choice of browser as advertised and written about in PC Pro!

By Thelionuk on 20 Oct 2009

The taskbar is probably going to be loved or loathed just like the ribbon in Office. I wasn't 100% keen when I first saw it but very quickly got to like it a lot more than the old taskbar (say within a few hours...). However, I do have a large screen which helps, and I prefer it with the "combine taskbar buttons when taskbar is full" setting rather than the default "always combine, hide labels" so it at least behaved a bit more like the old one but with all the new benefits.

By halsteadk on 20 Oct 2009

Reply

Been using windows 7 for about 2 months now rtm version and it's great none of the problems mentioned above, no crashes and great speed and reliability although other than bitlocker I see no difference between ultimate and the professional edition. I am using ultimate on my desktop and business on my laptop but really can not see why someone would upgrade unless they have mission critical data they should put bitlocker on pro and do away with "ultimate"

By 00lissauers on 20 Oct 2009

Zero major issues x2

Yesterday i did in place upgrades of win 7 ultimate on both my main production machines, one of the 32 bit variety and the other of 64 bit, other than an issue with diskeeper 2008, had to uninstall to get it on. and i did download the latest drivers for my chipset, graphics, tablet etc to ensure i had the latest compatable ones. have to say its the only in place upgrades i have done that went smooth as a babys bottom, took around four to 5 hours for each one to complete, but i do have a large music collection and a lot of design apps, plugins etc.... not a microsoft fanboy by any imagination,in fact i still use macs and PC's side by side. But well done Mr Balmers lot, win 7 is a nice quick, clean modern OS.

By Cerberus73 on 20 Oct 2009

@fellwalker

Want your quick launch bar back - here you go:

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,493039
72,00.htm?s_cid=96

And to all who have come across issues with Win7 - its not as if Microsoft didn't give you ample chance to try out Win7 before committing money and time to the gold release version :-)

By sipart on 20 Oct 2009

Amazon...

...have shipped my HP and Pro copies - though they haven't arrived yet. My ultimate copy is dispatching soon.

By thewelshbrummie on 20 Oct 2009

Amazon

Yes Amazon have shipped mine via DHL too. Should be with me in the morning.

By urmaster on 20 Oct 2009

Postcards, Wedding Invitations, Birthday Cards, Club Flyers, Business Cards

The best place to go to make custom, quality, most cost-efficient, business cards
out of your photos is www.PrintsMadeEasy.com. They specialize in designing custom postcards,
business cards, stationery, labels, brochures, invitations, envelopes, flyers,
greeting cards, letterhead, pens, & labels

http://www.PrintsMadeEasy.com

Right now you can get 100 FREE business cards shipped right to your door.

All orders ship worldwide within 24 hours once you submit the custom design you want!

By tomdupuy on 20 Oct 2009

Amazon have shipped my "super saver" delivery via HDNL tonight. Normally comes the next day although I've had some bad experiences with HDNL, but will be a bit of a winner if it arrives at the same time as those who've paid for delivery! :p

By halsteadk on 20 Oct 2009

Play.com shipped my copy on Monday.....with a delivery estimate of....3-5 days!!

Wish I'd ordered it from somewhere else now...

By Flangie on 21 Oct 2009

Amazon have shipped two copies home premium copies to me which should be arriving sometime today via city link. Problem is I don't want them anymore as I got free copies of Ultimate for attending demos last week. I'd stick them on ebay but I'm away for a few days and by the time I'm back the impulse buying stage will probably be over.

By Shuflie on 21 Oct 2009

Can someone post the build number of a retail copy. Want to confirm it's the same as the RTM.

By kipperkat on 21 Oct 2009

@Shuflie, given that it is now retailing for over £100 at Amazon and others, if you can put them on Ebay for a price more like the original pre-order price, I'm sure you'd find a buyer.

By halsteadk on 21 Oct 2009

poor serviceby Amazon

I pre ordered on 15/07/09 and paid for express delivery but get an email today saying dispatched by royal mail delivery on 24th. Have got a refund on the P&P but what I want to knw is why some get the dhl or other courier service but some are subject to royal snail missery.

By acrosstheocean on 21 Oct 2009