Updated: August 4, 2020 (December 1, 2008)

Windows

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

In spite of speculation about a radical new OS, such as Midori (code name), the next versions of the Windows client and server OSs will continue to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, with timely delivery a key goal. Changes will be concentrated in areas likely to entice large organizations and consumers to overcome their reluctance to upgrade. At its Professional Developers (PDC) and Windows Hardware Engineering (WinHEC) conferences in Oct. 2008, Microsoft began to reveal details of the Windows roadmap to the hardware manufacturers and software developers who need time to adapt their products to any significant changes.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 will be released approximately three years after Windows Vista, in Jan. 2010. Windows Server 2008 R2, which is being developed simultaneously, will also ship in 2010, but while development is synchronized, it does not mean they will ship at the same time.

Windows Client OS

The most recent Windows client version is Windows Vista SP1, which was released in Feb. 2008. Microsoft announced it is on track to release the next version, code-named Windows 7, in early 2010. (See the illustration “Windows Client Overview“.)

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