After many months of speculation, the company finally nailed a firm date Tuesday just before noon. The release to manufacturing (RTM) -- which means the code is finished and ready to be burned on to distribution media -- will come in the second half of July, according to a company spokesman. There was no firm date for RTM provided.
In addition, Microsoft confirmed there would be a Windows Upgrade Option that is similar to its Tech Guarantee program. Microsoft said details on the program and its parameters will come at a later date.
Past Tech Guarantee programs give users who purchase an earlier version of a product during a specific eligibility period the option for a low-cost or sometimes no-cost when it is released.
In January, Microsoft sent a memo to OEMs to gather feedback on establishing such a program. The memo said the eligibility period would start on July 1, 2009. It did not provide an end date for eligibility.