Seven days after the leak of Windows 7 build 7201, build 7229 has cropped up courtesy of generous benefactors in the United States and Russia.

Build 7229 is interesting as it is most likely one of the last pre-RTM builds ever to emerge from holes in Microsoft’s Technology Adoption Program (TAP). Most build releases have been a result of leaky faucets amongst these TAP Gold subscribers which have had access to regular build updates to qualify products and systems.

Word on the street is that Windows 7 will hit RTM status in mid-June, so it is very possible that few additional builds will ever be created beyond build 7229 or 7230.

As usual, there is no word as to what has changed, but this edition is the closest we may ever get to the gold edition of Windows 7 without holding an RTM copy.

As a final note, Build 7229 is an OEM edition which means your public beta/RC keys may not work. You’re on your own if you want to activate 7229; the savvy amongst you will know where to look.

Build 7229 x86

File: 7229.0.090604-1901_x86fre_client_en-us_OEM_Ultimate-GRMCULFREO_EN_DVD.iso
Size: 2,426.87 MB
MD5: B4C090F45F2A6CE136C4413A8E56A631
SHA1: B3FEC2CFC05B6004864AB7EF99A1F9C7EE8D8BA4
CRC32: B1BBD756

Build 7229 x64

File: 7229.0.090604-1901_x64fre_client_en-us_OEM_Ultimate-GRMCULXFREO_EN_DVD.iso
Size: 3,111.09 MB
MD5: B32460CB7ABB9BF5EAC65AEA7034C798B
SHA1: F3DF1990D9242C48BC56515534911838DF0ABEA9
CRC32: 04FC6B18

Image courtesy Windows7Center.com