Business licensees to get final Windows 7 release in July

Microsoft officials have said the company expects to release Windows 7 to manufacturing before the end of this month. But they have been less forthcoming about when users will be able to get their hands on the product -- other than users who buy at retail new PCs with it preloaded starting October 22.

On July 10, however, Microsoft notified its reseller partners that it plans to allow business users who've purchased volume licenses plus Software Assurance contracts to get Windows 7 before the end of July.

Russian enthusiast "Deeper2K" posted a picture of the partner mailing (in Russian) and tweeted on July 10 that Microsoft has committed to providing Software Assurance users with the final Windows 7 bits before the end of July.

Deeper2K said Microsoft had told partners it was extending a special Windows 7 promotion for Software Assurance users through August 31. Customers who buy Software Assurance by that date will have the rights to upgrade to Windows 7 on PCs they purchased starting on August 1, 2008. Microsoft is offering users 15 percent off the cost of Windows 7 via the promotion, he said.

Earlier this year, Microsoft officials acknowledged they were offering Software Assurance users Windows 7 incentives, but didn't spell out the particulars. In June, I received this statement from a Microsoft spokesperson:

“For a limited time, Microsoft is offering a promotional price on Microsoft Software Assurance to customers that purchase a new PC with Windows Vista Business. Customers with Software Assurance will have access to Windows 7 Enterprise when it is released. We recommend customers contact their Microsoft Volume License reseller for a quote specific to their business.”

I've asked Microsoft for further clarification of the Windows 7 deal it is offering its volume licensees. A spokesperson pointed me to the Microsoft Incentives site. More details are there. Specifically, it says :

"For a limited time, recieve a 15% discount on Open Software Assurance or Open Value Software Assurance attached to new PCs equipped with Windows Vista Business.  This offer will allow you to save on Software Assurance today, while giving you the rights to Windows 7 when it is released. Software Assurance purchases must be made within 180 days of a new PC purchase." (The "redeem by" and "purchase by" dates are listed as August 31.)

Microsoft is believed by my sources to be a week or so away from RTMing Windows 7. This week, as part of its announcement of the promotion to president of Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, Microsoft reiterated that it is on track to release Windows 7 to manufacturing in late July.

The company is planning to use next week's Worldwide Partner Conference as an opportunity to get its resellers ready for the new OS. Microsoft has scheduled 27 sessions dedicated to helping partners make money on Windows 7 through migration, deployment, the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack and other related channels.

Update: Just a reminder: The Windows 7 retail discount preorder program ends tomorrow, July 11,  in the U.S. and Canada.