Updated: July 9, 2020 (February 8, 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.

The second Vista service pack 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.

Windows XP SP3 was released in Apr. 2008. This service pack is a tested collection of bug and security fixes, along with components needed for Windows Server 2008, such as Network Access Protection. SP3 will likely be the last service pack for XP.

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 downlevel versions of IE).

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