Updated: July 9, 2020 (December 20, 2010)

Windows Client Overview

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration and content management. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology... more

The current Windows client release is Windows 7, which became generally available in Oct. 2009. Windows 7 include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Microsoft also released Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, a Windows 7 virtualization solution to help with application compatibility problems, to the Web in Oct. 2009.

A joint first service pack (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is currently in release candidate stage. Microsoft indicates it will be released in early 2011.

There may be updates to support Windows 7 on tablets built with new power-efficient “Oak Trail” processors from Intel in 2011.

The second Vista service pack (not shown) was released in Apr. 2009. Among other bug and security fixes, Windows Vista SP2 included changes to application compatibility, Bluetooth support, Windows Search, and Blu-ray Disc support for data recording.

Microsoft released Internet Explorer (IE) 8 in Mar. 2009. This release of IE shipped prior to Windows 7 to promote Microsoft technologies (such as the Silverlight run time, a competitor to Flash) and to protect IE market share against competitors such as Firefox and Google Chrome. It runs on Windows XP and Vista and ships as part of Windows 7 (which will not be able to run older versions of IE).

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