I've been waiting on this announcement so I could update my WUA feature focus for RTM; I'll do that over the weekend.

I'm embarrassed to say I missed this last week, but when Microsoft announced its proposal to let EU customers choose a browser via a so-called ballot screen, they also provided an image of what that screen could look like. Here it is

Mary Jo Foley reports on an interesting tidbit I missed while traipsing around The Netherlands this week: Microsoft's proposal to let EU users choose from competing web browsers isn't relegated to Windows 7. They'll offer this capability on Windows XP and Windows Vista as well. The “ballot screen” isn’t for Windows 7 users only.

Walt Mossberg lets you know what the REAL, TERRIFYING dangers of Windows 7, and exactly what you need to do to survive it. This is perhaps the most important video you will ever see.

Just in… Statement by Brad Smith, General Counsel July 24, 2009 As the European Commission has just announced in a statement, Microsoft has made a new proposal in an effort to address competition law issues related to Internet Explorer and interoperability. Under our new proposal, among other things, European consumers who buy a new Windows PC with Internet Explorer set as their default browser would be shown a ‘ballot screen’ from which they could, if they wished, easily install competing browsers from the Web.? If this proposal is ultimately accepted, Microsoft will ship Windows in Europe with the full functionality available in the rest of the world.? As requested by the Commission, we will be publishing our proposal in full here on our web site as soon as possible.? While the Commission solicits public comment and considers this proposal, we are committed to ensuring that we are in full compliance with European law and our obligations under the 2007 Court of First Instance ruling.

Does your PC meet most requirements for upgrading to Windows 7? Please Comment or Rate the video

Today marks an important milestone in the Windows 7 project. The Windows 7 team is proud to share with you that a short while ago we have started to release Windows 7 to PC OEM and manufacturing partners. This means our next major milestone will be the availability of PCs loaded with Windows 7 and store shelves stocked with Windows 7 on October 22, 2009.

With the completion of this development phase, Microsoft is calling on partners to ready products in time for the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 worldwide general availability. Windows 7 will be generally available to customers around the world on October 22, and Windows Server 2008 R2 will be generally available on or before that date.? As always, current Windows Volume License customers, MSDN subscribers and TechNet subscribers will get first customer access, getting Windows 7 on August 6 (MSDN/TechNet) and August 7 (VL), and Windows Server 2008 R2 the second half of August.? Microsoft will make the announcement on its Windows Team Blog and Windows Server Blog .

Windows 7 RTM Sign-Off, Created by Roger, Test Manager on Windows Live, using Windows Live Movie Maker (soon to be released)

So, they're trying. Microsoft last night (for me) posted some more information about Windows 7