Windows 7 goes on sale October 22nd

We knew good and well the next iteration of Windows would be generally available this fall, but now we've a date to circle in our datebooks: October 22nd. Yep, the fourth Thursday in the tenth month of this year will mark the first date in which you -- the general consumer -- can purchase Win7, which gives you plenty of time to figure out which of the 94 variants will suit you best. Have fun!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 4:52PM]

does any one know where i could get that wallpaper thank you

[MarkyB86 Posted Jun 2nd 2009 4:53PM]

@Darren, Where do you find those sweet desktops

[MioTheGreat Posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:01PM]

That's a wallpaper included with 7.

[MarkyB86 Posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:07PM]

No its not

[CheeToS Posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:55PM]

Yes, yes it is. It comes with the release candidate (not the beta).

[boomerz Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:02PM]

Lol you can't buy Windows Starter or Enterprise from retail. The one's you will see are Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate. So for the basic consumer you will see 3 versions to purchase from retail. Boom I just blew everyones mind away huh.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:42PM]

6, because then you have to choose between 32-bit or 64-bit for each version. Not sure why Microsoft seems incapable of incorporating both into one, but that's how it is. That's 6 versions, and that's only retail, doesn't include the other versions and doesn't include any of the server versions either.

When you have 20+ versions of your operating system, you are not doing it right.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 9:32PM]

32 and 64 bit versions are incorporated under the same SKU, so no they don't have to choose.
As for why they are different, they are different for OS X too, you just don't get a choice. OS X doesn't have even 1/4 of the backward compatabillity that Microsoft has been able to maintain with Windows.

[thescreensavers Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:12PM]

So if my friend got a Vista PC like a month ago can he upgrade to Win 7? I cant find any info about the free upgrade

[aubreyq Posted Jun 3rd 2009 1:57AM]

If I'm not mistaken the free upgrade to Windows 7 applies to computers purchased after July 1st. Your friend can still buy a license and upgrade from Vista to 7, it just won't be free.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:18PM]

How many variants are there really going to be? Microsoft just pick "1" & don't call it Ultimate, just call it, "Windows 7: The only one."

[Jerome36 Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:20PM]

It looks like I'll start my next build in October.

[WheresWinPho Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:25PM]

Aw man. Totally shoulda changed the dates on the screenshot to Oct. 22nd. fail. W7 = epic w00t.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:40PM]

Should be a free upgrade for Vista users.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 5:40PM]

Dear Engadget,

Go to hell. Sincerely someone who is getting sick of the oh so subtle MS bashing when any article shows up.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:11PM]

Why does Microsoft have to make everything so damn complicated? Seriously?

There are more average Joe's than tech nerds out there.

[AssassinX Posted Jun 2nd 2009 7:04PM]

Complicated by having 3 different variations?? (yes yes, 32-bit and 64-bit too, but that doesn't affect features).

I'd hate to see how complicated shopping for a car is for you...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:24PM]

In RE: to all the comments about Engadget's trolling about the versions: I actually got so sick of their constant anti-MS / pro-Apple bias that I haven't been here in months. I actually mostly gave up gadget news, and turned to other sites when I needed a fix. I thought I'd come back for the E3 coverage, and sad to say, it looks like not much has changed ... guess I haven't been missing much.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 8:28PM]

Its the month of my birthday. This is a sign!! We are being invaded by aliens!

[althon64 Posted Jun 3rd 2009 10:42AM]

I get it for free, off technet =).

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 11:58PM]

I am heard that windows 7 doesn't have registry and it is fully protected by Any virus as like LINUX , Is it correct ?

[acniehaus03 Posted Jun 3rd 2009 1:02AM]

i can't wait for it to come out to be honest. I took the windows 7 RC survey today that MS emailed out to people registered with them and one question has me kind of pumped... "Would you be willing to buy windows 7 for $50 with a student discount?" If that remains true, i will air five steve ballmer on that one...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2009 1:34AM]

5 months and 2 days AFTER my birthday! yayyyy!! whoc ares!!! win7 is not that bad.. i've a eee 1000h and i'm going to put the slimmest 7 on it. and if i don't scrounge the green for the legit copy i might just rock ubuntu. or throw everyone and myself a loop and install OS10. it doesn't matter. i'm nowhere NEAR a "power user" and chances are some of you guys aren't either. i play with my computer. it's fun to crank it to see just what it will run. i don't want some cracked out driverless zombie-top, so i'm going to take it safe.

seriously.. everyone just stay calm.. it's not serious.. it never is.

[Hackettman Posted Jun 3rd 2009 11:16AM]

WOOOHOOO! Bought!

[syclick Posted Jun 3rd 2009 12:25PM]

No pricing info yet?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2009 5:55PM]

I'd certainly take it over Vista. I'm not trying to be a hater, but Microsoft has a habit of releasing things way before they should. Name an OS they've released that was truly ready for market. Name one.

The Oct 22 date I'm sure was set so as to provide good market penetration at all big-box manufacturers in time for the holiday season, not because Win7 will be ready then.

I hope to be proven wrong, really I do, because it does look nice.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 5:33PM]

Where can I find that wallpaper?Thank you in advance

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:49AM]

Oh wow, that's my birthday, perhaps I should have a windows 7 launch party!

Ok, maybe I should punish myself now for even suggesting such a thing...back to studying.