Windows 7 What does "RTM" installation mean?

[pstein]

I read occasionally about RTM installation DVDs.
I think its the abbreviation of "Ready-to-manufacturing"

What does that mean in detail?

Is this a pre-release?

Or something like a special OEM version?

Can I activate it "as usual"?

Has it some limitations over a "normal" Pro version?
Is this a special Win 7 release or do RTM installtion CDs exist for Win 8.1/Win 10 as well?

Peter

 

[patcooke]

Release to Manufacturer versions are releases to hardware manufacturers before being generally released to the public. The basic objective is to enable manufacturers to rest and iron out any bugs before making systems available to the general public.