Microsoft has sent its Windows 7 code to RTM which means some OEMS will receive the software by next week.

Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows Division, announced in a blog post that Windows 7 had reached its Release to Manufacturing milestone. He said that it was an important milestone in the Windows 7 project. It means that Microsoft has signed off on build 7600.16385 of the upcoming and closely watched OS, setting the stage for it to begin arriving in the hands of partners within days.

Windows 7 will start to appear on shelves and installed on new PCs on October 22 which is known as “General Availability" or GA day. RTM is the point at which all the Microsoft executives who have responsibility for Windows 7 sign off on the final code.

"The RTM code will be delivered to our partners within the next few days who will then start preparing to deliver some amazing new products timed to hit at GA of Windows 7," Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc said in a blog post.

Windows Server 2008 R2 will also be available on or before Windows 7's October launch date. TechNet, MSDN, and Volume License members will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 in the second half of August.