Microsoft Delays Releasing Open Source Win 7 Tool

Those without optical drives will have to wait a bit longer.

Two weeks ago, Microsoft pulled its Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool off its Microsoft Store as the piece of software violated the GNU General Public License.

As the name suggests, the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool creates a bootable USB stick from a Windows 7 install DVD for use with systems that do not contain an optical drive.

At the time of the pull, Microsoft said in a statement, "Microsoft is looking into this issue and is taking down the (Windows 7 updating) tool from the Microsoft Store site until its review is complete. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience."

Microsoft eventually decided that the best course of action is to release its software tool under the GPL as well, but likely for reasons that point to the company not wanting to share its proprietary code, those waiting for the tool will have to wait a little longer.

As spotted by Ars Technica, Microsoft posted on its Port 25 open source blog, "While we worked extremely hard to try and get the code ready for release by today, we still need to test and localize it. Our goal is now to release the tool in all languages on the same day in the next few weeks.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to make the Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool available once again."

Are you still sitting around, anxiously waiting for the tool's release so that you can put Windows 7 on your netbook or notebook? Let us know in the comments below!