Windows 7 Information Drips Out

In May 2008, Microsoft confirmed minor details about Windows Vista’s successor, currently code-named Windows 7: the product will be an incremental update, with a focus on driver and application compatibility, and it will support both 32-bit and 64-bit processors. Details and beta software will emerge as Microsoft begins to brief partners and customers, allowing partners some time to uncover and report any driver or application problems. Microsoft also hopes to manage customer expectations better than it did with Vista, but executives are already driving speculation with demonstrations of potential new technology.

What’s Known About Windows 7

Microsoft’s goal is to release Windows 7 in January 2010, approximately three years after the general availability of Vista and two years after release of Windows Server 2008.

Although Microsoft is promoting Windows 7 as a major release, the reality is that Vista established a solid foundation, particularly for the kernel, graphics, and storage subsystems, which have already been integrated into a subsequent Windows version—Windows Server 2008. In addition, Microsoft has indicated that there will be no driver model change in Windows 7, and that drivers and software that work well with Vista will work well with Windows 7.