Microsoft says it will follow a predictable cycle of alternating major and update releases of Windows. As shown in the hypothetical schedule above, major releases similar to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 will come out on an approximate three- to four-year cycle and will include major changes, such as changes to the core components and the kernel. Alternating minor releases on a one- to two- year cycle, such as Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server R2, will tweak existing features, such as turning the firewall on by default, or add new higher-level features, such as the Security Configuration Wizard. However, Microsoft has not committed to any specific releases beyond "Longhorn" client and server.

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