Windows 7 build 7074?

Robert Hallock 2 Apr, 2009 at 3:47pm ET Article published in Tech

It’s entirely and completely unsubstantiated at this point, but a user by the name of “Juimed” over at w7forums has posted a picture of Windows 7 build 7074:

Too legit to quit? Maybe.

The build has a compile date of 8:55 AM on 3/31/2009, and features a build string of 7074.0.x86fre.winmain.090331-0855.

Obviously many posts like this (such as the original build 7070 hoax) are often complete BS, but this is a fairly authentic screenshot. There are no signs of image manipulation, the picture is a lossless PNG (which makes it easier to ID fraud), and the text smoothing for the UI appears untampered with. We will, of course, be investigating a little more for you.

UPDATE @ 4/2/2009, 10:08 PM EST:

We have it on good authority that this screenshot is a fake, but build 7074 is quite real. Build 7074’s build string is 6.1.7074.0.winmain.090331-1850. You’ll note that this is the same compile date, but the compile time is more in line with the Microsoft standard which falls between 13:00 and 19:00 hours.

Comments

2 Apr 2009 ~ 3:54pm Cliff_Forster I always trust Homer Simpson :*)
2 Apr 2009 ~ 3:56pm rk mar00n Sweet. Where can I get that sweet wallpaper at?
2 Apr 2009 ~ 4:02pm Thrax Hi, RK! You asked for my impressions on build 7068, and here's a good place for it:

Overall not much has changed from build 7057, but there are a few notables:

1) The 7057 notepad startup bug is gone.
2) The Windows Search Service now works with Outlook 2007
3) All SKUs (Starter, Pro, Home Premium, etc.) are now available. You're not locked to Ultimate.
4) Megabyte/file readouts have been added to the install if you're upgrading builds.

The rest of the changes appear to be "under the hood" fixes that aren't terribly obvious, yet.
2 Apr 2009 ~ 4:45pm Linc RK Maroon? As in Maroon Cartoons? So who's your client, Mr. Detective-to-the-stars? Chilly Willy? A screwy squirrel? Oh I get it, you're working for Little Bo Peep. She's lost her sheep and now you gotta go help 'er find 'em.

/me coughs and sputters

Sorry, don't know what came over me.
3 Apr 2009 ~ 7:25am MiracleManS I'm convinced MS has a team of coders compiling daily for these releases.
4 Apr 2009 ~ 11:08am Ewok I still use Windows 97. Am I really alone on this?

:-)
4 Apr 2009 ~ 12:42pm QCH Win95 or Win98...