First Windows 7 build 7048 screenshots leak

The first screenshots of Windows 7 build 7048 has been leaked, and they show many of the changes Microsoft has been talking about for the upcoming RC build.

After leaking Windows 7 build 7032 screenshots last month, WinFuture.de has posted a screenshot clearly showing a 32-bit Enterprise edition of build 7048. We have already heard of a build 7041, but this is significant because there have been no screenshots or any other tangible proof of any of the 704x builds. The first screenshot (full size) shows the following build string: "7048.0.x86fre.winmain.090219-1845," meaning that the build was compiled on February 19, 2009 at 6:45PM. Since it is an interim build, it's not surprising that the screenshot shows the build expiring on July 2, 2009 (a date that seems to be a typical expiration date for many builds).

Other than the new build number, the screenshot does not show too much. A date is shown in the bottom left in a European format, but all this shows is that the screenshot was taken yesterday. If you're not familiar with the fourth icon in the taskbar, that's the new Control Panel icon we've seen in 7032. There are also three other new icons (Paint, Calculator, and Sticky Notes) and the mouseover for the start button has also been tweaked. IE8 no longer has the RC1 tag, which is not surprising given that the browser is set to be released very soon. The second screenshot clearly shows the merging of Alt+Tab and Aero Peek that is one of the changes Microsoft is named for the RC build. Have a look at the other screenshots over at WinFuture.de.

Build 7048 was supplied to internal testers, a few Microsoft partners, and participants of the Technology Adopters Program (TAP). Look out for more leaked builds in the coming days as users become more and more impatient awaiting the public RC build rumored to be coming in April. Testers are expected to get a newer build before that.