According to Microsoft’s late Friday confirmation, the much-awaited Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 will be released to early adopters on its schedule – April 30.  

Giving the latest news about the stable and completed code for Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system, manager Brandon Le Blanc said in an official blog posting that while mass availability of the OS will begin from May 5, users who subscribe to Technet or Microsoft Download Network (MSDN) will be able to download the release candidate on April 30 itself.

Le Blanc wrote: “There certainly has been a lot of discussion about Windows 7 in the last few weeks. A lot of folks want to know when they can get their hands on the official RC.”

With the Windows 7 RC expectedly the last code cut before the OS is launched as a final product, Le Blanc said that the Windows 7 team has had its hands full working on different aspects - like evaluating feedback from beta testers; fixing bugs, and striving to “improve the overall experience.”

He added that the suggestions from bate testers helped the team make some noteworthy improvements, including the new and enhanced taskbar, the behavior of Aero Peek, Touch, and Windows Media Player.

However, with regard to the date for Windows 7’s release to manufacturing, Microsoft has been reiterating a 2010 time frame.