Microsoft blogger Brandon LeBlanc provided an official update on the Windows 7 release to manufacturing (RTM).

Earlier this month, Winxperts confirmed that Windows 7 would RTM on July 13. This was a date that Microsoft was aiming for internally. In a press release yesterday, Microsoft’s Bill Veghte stated “ This morning we will release Windows 7 to manufacturing, and we write that next chapter, we go after that opportunity.” This statement is incorrect, Veghte didn’t actually state this in his keynote but claims Windows 7 would RTM “this month”. Clearly the press release is incorrect and is likely a draft that Microsoft had prepared and not correctly altered.

However, today, Microsoft has denied that Windows 7 has been released to manufacturing. “We are close, but have not yet signed off on Windows 7. When we RTM you will most certainly hear it here. As we’ve said all along, we will RTM Windows 7 when it’s ready. As previously stated, we expect Windows 7 to RTM in the 2nd half of July” Brandon LeBlanc said in a blog posting on the Windows Team Blog. “Windows 7 will be available in many languages from around the world. For us to consider RTM “done”, it requires that all languages be completely finished. So there is a lot of work that needs to take place for us to finalize all languages of Windows 7. We also need to get to a point of “global readiness” with our partners. Our partners being ready for Windows 7 is extremely important to RTM.”

However, Microsoft did outline a timeline of when people will be able to get the final code: