windows 7 retail and rtm

taruncbe · November 8th, 2009, 05:27 AM

hello everyone.. My system specs are Intel Core 2 Quad, 4GB RAM, 500 GB HDD and a 1 GB Geforce 9600.. I am looking to upgrade to Windows 7.. I have an RTM version for download thro my campus MS agreement.. I need to know what is the difference between the retail and RTM versions... Will the RTM version expire or start shutting down or something after a certain duration like the RC?? I am a bit confused... Kindly help me out... Or else I will go for a retail version of Win7.... Thanks...

stroyal · November 8th, 2009, 06:23 AM

I found this, if all RTMs are the same it starts shutting down in 90 days.

Microsoft offers free Windows 7 RTM trial

Steve R Jones · November 8th, 2009, 07:28 AM

And from Stroyal's link:

Quote:

Rose warned users that at the end of the 90-day trial, they would have to purchase Windows 7 and perform a "clean" install, or one that wipes the drive and requires a reinstallation of all applications.

taruncbe · November 8th, 2009, 07:45 AM

this is windows 7 professional as per the campus msdn site... i have also heard that RTM is Release to Manufacturers so there wont be any difference from retail and that it wont have any time limitation... kindly clarify

Steve R Jones · November 8th, 2009, 08:38 AM

If you were given a keycode and you entered the keycode then you probably don't have the 90 trial version.

taruncbe · November 8th, 2009, 09:17 AM

i have been given a serial and could not use it with the retail version iso... said wrong distribution... i am currently downloading it from the msdn site...

tony_j15 · November 9th, 2009, 12:55 AM

I'm currently downloading 7 pro through my school's MS program. If it's the same (and it sounds like it is), this is a fully functional version. Not a trial. Depending on which version of windows you are updating from, you may have to perform a clean installation.

Enjoy

madmigrant · November 9th, 2009, 05:12 AM

It is my understanding that the RTM and retail versions are the same final versions of the OS. With past Windows releases, new ISOs with service pack I have come out about a year after the retail release roll out. Until such time, these RTM and retail ISOs will remain current, with updates coming from Windows/Microsoft Updates. I am not entirely certain why your key was rejected and what the procedure is with these school distros, What I do know is that once either the RTM or retail version is activated, it will not start shutting down after 90 days or require a fresh install.