Windows 7 to RTM mid- to late-July, official launch October 22

It looks like Ina Friend at Cnet broke the story:

Microsoft confirmed on Tuesday that it is planning for Windows 7 to hit retail shelves and start showing up on new PCs on October 22.

To reach that milestone, Microsoft plans to wrap up development of the operating system by the middle or end of next month.

The RC is certainly solid enough – and I hear that an unofficial RC 2 may become available in the next week or two.

I bet that we see Win7 available on new machines long before October 22.

Looks like I lost my bet, that Win7 would be on store shelves by September 1. Ah well.

Oh. TechARP reports that people who buy Vista after June 26 will be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7.