In April 2009, the tech community buzzed with anticipation as reports emerged of an imminent leak of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC). Paul Thurrott, a renowned technology journalist, hinted at the leak, stating, "coming soon," urging enthusiasts to stay alert for its arrival. This development was particularly significant given the operating system's anticipated release schedule.

Background and Context

Windows 7, the successor to Windows Vista, was designed to address many of the shortcomings of its predecessor. Microsoft had been releasing various builds to developers and testers, with the RC being a critical milestone before the final release. The RC was expected to be available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers on April 30, 2009, with broader public availability slated for May 5, 2009. (blogs.windows.com)

The Leak and Its Implications

The leak of the Windows 7 RC build 7100.0.090421-1700 was a pivotal moment. This build, compiled on April 21, 2009, was the same version that Microsoft planned to release officially. The leak provided the public with an early glimpse of the operating system's features and performance. However, downloading and installing leaked software posed risks, including potential security vulnerabilities and the absence of official support. (techcrunch.com)

Technical Details

The leaked Windows 7 RC build was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, each approximately 3 GB in size. This build included several enhancements over previous versions, such as improved taskbar functionality, Aero Peek, and Windows Touch support. Additionally, the RC featured Windows XP Mode, allowing users to run legacy applications within a virtualized Windows XP environment. (news.microsoft.com)

Official Release and Community Reaction

Despite the leak, Microsoft proceeded with its official release schedule. The RC became available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers on April 30, 2009, and to the general public on May 5, 2009. The leak generated significant discussion within the tech community, with many users eager to experience the new features and improvements firsthand. However, some cautioned against using leaked versions due to potential stability issues and the lack of official support. (blogs.windows.com)

Conclusion

The anticipated leak of the Windows 7 Release Candidate in April 2009 marked a significant event in the operating system's development cycle. While it provided early access to the RC, users were advised to exercise caution and await the official release to ensure a stable and supported experience.