Windows 7 RTM Original ISO Leaked and Available for Download

The official Build 7600.16385 ends up in the wild


Just days after Windows 7 was released to manufacturing and Microsoft started handing out the gold bits of the operating system to original equipment manufacturers, the original ISO images of Build 7600.16385 were leaked in the wild and are now available for download. Too-eager-testers had had the chance to grab the gold release of Windows 7 RTM Build 7600.16385 even before the platform was RTM'd on July 22nd, 2009. Fact is that Microsoft compiled the gold build of Windows 7 as early as July 13th 2009, and only made the official announcement on July 22nd.

The full build string of the gold release of Windows 7 is 7600.16385.090713-1255. The following numbers: 090713 indicate that the code was wrapped up on July 13th, 2009. On July 13th Microsoft both confirmed and denied that Windows 7 had been released to manufacturing. At that time the company noted that it hadn't signed off the successor of Windows Vista.

At the end of the past week, both the 32-bit and the 64-bit of 7600.16385.090713-1255 were leaked and started being served by various third-party sources, from torrent trackers to warez websites, a move that is obviously illegal. You can take a look at what the RTM development milestone of Windows 7 has to offer via this article. One critical aspect that needs to be underlined is that Windows 7 RTM 7600.16385.090713-1255 can no longer be activated with the Beta or Release Candidate product keys from Microsoft.

In addition, there is no way to actually activate the operating system without an OEM, MSDN, TechNet, ISV, IHV or Volume License key as of yet. Users who decide to jump the gun and start using Windows 7 RTM will only be able to prolong the trial period for 120 days, and buy a legitimate license starting with October 22nd. Otherwise, the option to stick with Windows 7 RC is best. Build 7100 of Windows 7 can be used until March 2010 for free with no hassles attached.