The next version of Windows 7 that Microsoft releases to the world will be the release candidate – not just another beta.

The Windows 7 Beta was first released last month, with the download period extended to next week.

Steven Sinofsky, head of the Windows development team, said in a blog post that he was looking to assuage concerns that users would have to revert back to their “old” operating system when the beta expires in August. Stressing that he was not announcing a ship date – or indeed, any change of plans – Sinofsky said that the next version will indeed be the release candidate (RC).