Microsoft claims Windows 7 more likely in 2011 - Debunking rumours
By Dave Parrack
There has been widespread debate and guessing games about when Microsoft would choose to release Windows 7. Rumours from a week ago suggested that 2009 release was being targeted, but now it seems 2011 is more than likely instead.
Early reports suggested that some time in 2010 was the planned release date for Windows 7, Microsoft’s next operating system, designed to right all the obvious wrongs with the current Windows Vista.
Then, just over a week ago, rumours started to emerge over a roadmap towards release which brought the date forward to 2009. That obviously lead to speculation over whether the build was being rushed because Vista hasn’t performed to both sales, and satisfaction expectations.
Now, the picture has become even more murky and confusing, with The Inquirer reporting that WinVistaClub has received an email from Microsoft denying the rumours completely.
According to their contact:
“Windows 7 is still in the planning stage and will take approximately three years to develop.”
Which if taken literally, would mean we’re looking at a 2011 release at the earliest. Especially when you take in to account the internal and pre-release testing.
But, should we take it literally? CRN have a different quote from a Microsoft spokesman which further muddies the water:
“We are currently in the planning stages for Windows 7 and expect the development to take approximately 3 years since the release of Windows Vista. The specific release date will be determined once the company meets its quality bar for release,”
Three years from the release of Vista would date it at around, hmm, yep, 2009. So who to believe, and how important is a new version of the Microsoft OS anyway?
Vista certainly isn’t capturing anyone’s imagination, and I think the sooner Microsoft get a replacement out on the streets the better. Without rushing it of course, MS need to get Windows 7 built, tested and released before Linux starts becoming more user friendly, and taking potential customers from it.
My guess would be Windows 7 released to stores no sooner than 2011, I just can’t see Microsoft risking having another Windows ME on its hands.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
under 
Print This Post
Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
Stumble It!
January 28th, 2008
Microsoft is in the uncomfortable position of needing to ride the tiger. On the one hand, you have to put out an OS that has clear advantages over the one it’s replacing. Vista has stumbled badly on this count. It further confused the issue by a byzantine collection of different versions. The short sighted use of WGA hasn’t slowed piracy to any significant degree. The pirates will get theirs. Ordinary users have been dropped to restricted mode when they were incorrectly identified as thieves. Microsoft has loosened up on this, coming to the conclusion that they need as many copies of Vista running as possible. People using Vista won’t be loading Linux. Most of the people will get Vista on new computers anyway, upgrade copies aren’t exactly flying off the shelf.
The second ear is maintaining compatibility with the huge number of other Microsoft software packages. Dynamics, Project Manager, Outlook and other Office apps, SQL and so on. Manufacturers have to write drivers,apps need to be modified. It would be amazing if 7 is releasd in 2009.