Microsoft: Windows 7 release in late 2009 a possibility

According to Microsoft's Senior Vice President for the Windows Business, Bill Veghte, the new Windows 7 operating system might arrive on store shelves in late 2009. Speaking to Bloomberg, he commented that a "holiday release is accomplishable." However, he would not comment on the possibility of the upcoming Windows upgrade being released before the holiday season.

Many analysts are expecting that Windows 7 will be released earlier than Veghte is expecting, with some predicting a September 2009 release. The first release candidate version of the operating system will be made available on Thursday to Technet and MSDN subscribers, and everybody else on May 5.

Recently it was revealed that Windows 7 will include an add-on to run Windows XP SP3 in a virtual environment, extending a crutch to older applications that might have issues running on the new operating system. It also promised to reduce the occurrence of User Account Control (UAC) prompts; one of Vista's most disliked default features.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 29 Apr 2009 22:35

Advertisement - News comments available below the ad

25 comments

llongtheD

Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.

29.4.2009 22:39 #1

DXR88

Originally posted by llongtheD: Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.maybe i missed something but i was unaware of the existence of this so called polished smooth running initial released of an OS from Micro$oft. ah it must be Dos

29.4.2009 22:48 #2

ZippyDSM

Quote:Originally posted by llongtheD: Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.maybe i missed something but i was unaware of the existence of this so called polished smooth running initial released of an OS from Micro$oft. ah it must be DosI dunno 9X was refined for a MS OS XP took a few years to get the kinks out and vista is a joke, MS could have reinvented it through service packs but no we get a a whole "new" OS.... at least its already better than vista...

29.4.2009 23:19 #3

SProdigy

Originally posted by llongtheD: Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.Yeah, but... the vendors were to be blamed. Heck, I had the Vista RC 6 months before it's release, and STILL drivers from ATI and others were missing. MS gets all the flack for companies that procrastinated.

29.4.2009 23:19 #4

ZippyDSM

Quote:Originally posted by llongtheD: Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.Yeah, but... the vendors were to be blamed. Heck, I had the Vista RC 6 months before it's release, and STILL drivers from ATI and others were missing. MS gets all the flack for companies that procrastinated.All the more reason not to release the OS until the main drivers are up and running is atrocious ..

29.4.2009 23:21 #5

Blackjax

ah but you all forget the reason behind the issues with video drivers for vista. DRM. The procrastinating companies had to get approval for their drivers from M$ due to M$ bowing down to the media mafiaa. Now don't get me wrong I'm not defending any companies here but it seems to me all those a-holes are to blame for the steamy pile known as vista.....

and they wonder why people pirate the os, poo in a pretty wrapper is still poo!

@dxr88
absolutely freakin hilarious because it's true!

30.4.2009 02:39 #6

beanos66

after being stung by vista, I will not be getting windows 7 'til I'm completely happy with reviews and forum discussions

30.4.2009 07:06 #7

cf1955

And microsoft are at it again.
I have seen this too many times only to end up in a fiasco, don't they stop to consider the implications or are they too greedy.
When XP was launched, I had the demo which worked and we went backwards in their efforts to prevent hackers from making copies and we ended up with a sysytem that still has bugs but even now they have no real alternative after the demise of Vista.
I have seen and tried 7 and like it a lot, but I certainly will not move or recommend until it works properly or at the very least 80%.
If MS want to get brownie points, get univeral drivers for wireless and have a proper data base that is properly searched automatically - other manufacturers can do it why not MS

This time customers, hold back and not buy a new machine, this will force MS to get it right, perhaps they need to be forced to do this.

I can only hope MS got hit as hard as the rest of the world did with the banks, as we were everytime we bought new operating software.

Oh a final note - I am still on XP

30.4.2009 07:09 #8

glassd

SOB, I just bought a PC with Vista last Summer.

30.4.2009 13:16 #9

hendrix04

I have installed Win 7 on 2 computers and didnt have to search for a single driver for either one (not saying everyone is this lucky) but that is pretty good. It even picked up a networked laser printer with no problems.

30.4.2009 14:53 #10

djeazyg

Originally posted by beanos66: after being stung by vista, I will not be getting windows 7 'til I'm completely happy with reviews and forum discussionsYou'll never buy anything if you wait for an all go from forum discussions. Not everybody will agree with the state of windows. I for one never had an issue with Vista. Yes it was slower than XP but not so much that I would say it's a failure. However I do know people that have had problem after problem with Vista and for them I would say it IS a failure. You also have all the Jerk offs that want to scream "switch to Linux" even though it has nothing to do with the current forum discussion. (Surprised there aren�t any on this thread yet) I think it depends on your set up and situation.
I�m using the RC of Windows 7 as my Primary OS but I still have a copy of Vista installed as a backup. Ya know, just in case. Not a single problem here so far. IE8 sucks but Windows 7 is excellent.

30.4.2009 21:26 #11

llongtheD

Quote:Originally posted by llongtheD: Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.maybe i missed something but i was unaware of the existence of this so called polished smooth running initial released of an OS from Micro$oft. ah it must be DosI don't believe I mentioned the existence of the polished smooth running OS, but it would be nice for a change.

30.4.2009 21:37 #12

llongtheD

Quote:Originally posted by llongtheD: Don't rush it Microsoft. Do yourself a favor and work out the kinks and
driver issues so it doesn't end up like vista. When I fist switched to vista there weren't even any drivers for my video or sound card. People will be happy to wait, and have a polished smooth running operating system. By the way, I uninstalled vista, and went back to XP.Yeah, but... the vendors were to be blamed. Heck, I had the Vista RC 6 months before it's release, and STILL drivers from ATI and others were missing. MS gets all the flack for companies that procrastinated.Maybe if Microsoft weren't so paranoid about the availability of their source code, the vendors would have had more time to respond. In the end, I think it falls in Microsoft's lap. They need to be more cooperative with the vendors. Just my opinion.

30.4.2009 21:44 #13

Run4two

I'm sorry but I just don't get it. Why can't MS build an OS that is backward compatible with hardware, no new drivers needed. Sure, it can build in advances for new hardware with new drivers, but don't make it so difficult for old hardware to get new drivers! I purchased a copy of XP for my 2 yr old Vista computer because there are no Vista drivers for my old Layla 20 soundcard for recording music. I don't think Windows 7 will solve this for drivers, only applications. Am I right?

30.4.2009 22:20 #14

KillerBug

"but I certainly will not move or recommend until it works properly or at the very least 80%." - 80% is expecting a lot from Microsoft!

"Why can't MS build an OS that is backward compatible with hardware, no new drivers needed" - Microsoft does not believe in evolution...it is hard to justify charging for a bug fix. This is why each new release must be "revolutionary".

"This time customers, hold back and not buy a new machine, this will force MS to get it right, perhaps they need to be forced to do this." - Very few people build their own, and OEM customers do not allow customers to buy a new system without an operating system. Plus, OEM users may not transfer windows from the old system to the new system.

"I can only hope MS got hit as hard as the rest of the world did with the banks" - Their stock price just went up.

1.5.2009 04:07 #15

Blackjax

@djeazyg

Just for you....

*screams* switch to linux, switch to linux, the end is near, switch to linux!

2.5.2009 03:04 #16

badkrma

I wonder how long I can keep running xp before I am forced to use the new windows. So far everything I do on my computer seems to work just fine for what I have. I still wonder why the need to change up for an OS.

2.5.2009 04:26 #17

ooZEROoo

Originally posted by Run4two: I'm sorry but I just don't get it. Why can't MS build an OS that is backward compatible with hardware, no new drivers needed. Sure, it can build in advances for new hardware with new drivers, but don't make it so difficult for old hardware to get new drivers! I purchased a copy of XP for my 2 yr old Vista computer because there are no Vista drivers for my old Layla 20 soundcard for recording music. I don't think Windows 7 will solve this for drivers, only applications. Am I right?Most of the drivers are embedded with the OS. I always had to hunt and install drivers when doing fresh installs on PCs but I have had 3 PCs and laptops that I have installed W7 on any everytime the system found the drivers on its own. Still a few issues, but this is still way more stable NOW than Vista at RELEASE.

3.5.2009 00:59 #18

borhan9

This is all well and good however having virtual pc running windows xp would slow down the resources dramatically if the user does not have enough ram and i think if you wish to have the full capability to do what you need with the new windows 7 and the xp virtual machine you will need a minimum of 4gigs of RAM.

6.5.2009 05:48 #19

creaky

Microsoft: Windows 7 release in August '09

Originally posted by article on the Register: Surrenders 2010, hype machine fired up

Microsoft has officially dropped the fa�ade on Windows 7 in 2010 and conceded that its essentially completed operating system will ship this year.

Windows 7 will be released to manufacturing in about three months, pending feedback on the current release candidate, senior vice president of the Windows and Windows Live engineering group Steven Sinofsky said Monday.

RTM is when the operating system will be considered finished, and mass-production will begin with code pressed on CDs and code sent to OEMs for installation on new PCs.

A three-month date puts the RTM in August, putting PCs running Windows 7 in retail stores in October for the holiday shopping season if the usual three-month production and channel ramp-up is followed.

Acer, the world's second-largest manufacturer of PCs, last month nailed the Windows 7 launch date as October 23.

To put things in some context, Windows XP - the predecessor to the current Windows Vista - was released to manufacturing in the month of August and officially launched that following October.

Sinofsky buried the three-month date deep within a blog posting about Microsoft's release schedule. Ever the player, Sinofsky couched his words in the standard Microsoft corporate caveats. "Ultimately our partners will determine when their PCs are available in the market," he wrote.

RTM will also depend on whether the feedback and telemetry on Windows 7 matches Microsoft expectations. Microsoft is monitoring feedback and telemetry from the current release-candidate phase on devices that are being installed, and drivers, system performance in the areas of start-up and shut down, and the responsiveness of Internet Explorer.

Sinofsky can say Microsoft is monitoring all it wants. This operating system's a tuned-up version of Windows Vista that's largely finished thanks to the heavy lifting done on that previous version of Windows.

Microsoft is now in the standard, final phase of testing with features locked down. Nothing short of a major code re-write thanks to some hidden architectural flaw, overlooked security hole, or coding gotcha is going to prevent Windows 7 in October.

Furthermore, Microsoft on Monday began talking "customer wins" for Windows 7 among business users, meaning that the company's marketing and communications people - the last phase in the development and delivery cycle - are spinning up. Microsoft cited Pella Corporation, Continental Airlines, and the City of Miami as early Windows 7 wins.

These were very likely existing Microsoft and Windows customers rather than "wins", though, and either signed up or were asked to be early adopters - and given early access to code - because of their size or perceived importance in the build and testing processes.

To help sell Windows 7 to business, Microsoft on Monday used some familiar ideas in connection with these customers: the ability to create a productive and efficient environment, control costs, and security and data protection for corporations and small-and-medium-sized companies.

Forum Rules ~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487 / Xbox softmodding software ~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/557450

Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ 2 node DD-WRT (v23 sp2) WDS over WPA2 comprising: Buffalo - 2x WHR-G54Ss. Plus 2 adhoc nodes comprising Linksys - WRT54G v5 & WRT54G v2

12.5.2009 05:49 #20

creaky

Windows 7 to Arrive on October 22

Originally posted by Paul Thurrott @ windowsitpro.com

It's a Date: Windows 7 to Arrive on October 22

Microsoft revealed that it will deliver Windows 7 to customers on October 22, 2009, marking the conclusion of one of the most trouble-free Windows development cycles in the company's history.

"We're confident of where we are in the development cycle and that it is ready to be shared with customers and partners," Microsoft Corporate Vice President Steve Guggenheimer said during a keynote address at Computex 2009 in Tapei. "We've received great feedback from our partners who are looking forward to offering Windows 7 to their customers in time for the holidays."

The October 22 date is what Microsoft calls General Availability (GA). This is when finished retail versions of the product will appear on new PCs and in retail boxes for the first time. But Windows 7 will be completed well before that: Microsoft also noted that it will complete development of Windows 7 (and Server 2008 R2) in the second half of July.
This is the so-called Release To Manufacturing (RTM) milestone. At RTM, the code for Windows 7 is delivered to PC makers so that they can begin prepping their Windows 7-based products.

A number of details still need to be resolved. Microsoft has yet to announce pricing or licensing for Windows 7, and although the company has said that it will again offer free upgrades to anyone who purchases a new PC before the Windows 7 release, it has yet to specify details of that plan either. Generally speaking, those who purchase a Windows Vista-based PC after a certain date will qualify for a free copy of Windows 7.[/quote:

3.6.2009 12:04 #21

creaky

Microsoft Extends Windows 7 RC Download to August 15

Quote:Paul Thurrott @ windowsitpro.com

Microsoft is extending the public download period for the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) from the end of June to mid-August. News of the
extension was first reported on the SuperSite Blog yesterday, then later confirmed by Microsoft.

"The Windows RC download program closes August 15," Windows OS Senior Community Manager Stephen Rose wrote in a blog posting. "After that, you
won't be able to get the download, but you can still install the RC and get a [product] key if you need one."

Those still on the Windows 7 Beta, which was released to the public back in January, face a more pressing deadline. Beginning July 1, that
version of Windows 7 will continue to work normally but will automatically reboot every two hours until it officially expires on
August 1. The cure for this behavior, of course, is to upgrade to the RC build. That build doesn't expire until next year.

Microsoft will most likely finalize Windows 7 in the weeks ahead. The company had previously announced that it would release Windows 7 to
manufacturing by mid-July and then deliver it to customers in October.
Microsoft Holds the Line on Windows 7 Pricing, Launches Limited-Time Promotion

Quote:Paul Thurrott @ windowsitpro.com

Microsoft announced its retail pricing plans for Windows 7 this morning. First, the good news: Contrary to rumors, the company is not raising prices. The bad news? It's not significantly lowering prices either. In fact, most versions of Windows 7 will simply cost exactly the same as their Windows Vista predecessors.

In the United States, three versions of Windows 7 will be widely available at retail: Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate.
Pricing for these products breaks down as follows:

*Home Premium (Upgrade) - $119.99
*Home Premium (Full) - $199.99
*Professional (Upgrade) - $199.99
*Professional (Full) - $299.99
*Ultimate (Upgrade) - $219.99
*Ultimate (Full) - $319.99

Windows 7 Home Premium is the only product that doesn't have the exact same pricing structure as the Vista equivalents. Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade) is $10, or 8 percent, cheaper than Windows Vista Home Premium (Upgrade). And Windows 7 Home Premium (Full) is $40, or 17 percent, less expensive than its predecessor. (Similar pricing is available in other markets as well.)

To help avert criticism, Microsoft and its retail partners will temporarily offer steep discounts on the Upgrade versions of Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional only. Consumers who preorder these products online between June 26, 2009 and July 11, 2009 in the United States and Canada will pay just $49.99 for Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade), a $70 discount, or $99.99 for Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade), a $100 discount. The deals will be made available at ******, Best Buy, Microsoft, and at other participating online retailers.
Consumers in Japan, France, Germany, and the UK can also pre-order Windows 7 for similarly short timeframes, though the exact dates vary.

Microsoft also announced that it would allow consumers who purchase a Windows Vista-based PC between June 26, 2009 and January 31, 2010 to receive a free copy of Windows 7. Called the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, this program is global and completely free. Microsoft hopes it will address the problems caused by Windows 7 not shipping in time for the back-to-school PC selling season, which is currently underway.

The company also revealed that it will offer consumers in the European Union (EU) the Full versions of Windows 7 only through at least December 31, 2009, because of antitrust issues there which preclude it from bundling Internet Explorer with the OS. During this time period, EU users (excluding the UK) will be able to purchase the Full versions of Windows 7 at the Upgrade prices. Traditional Upgrade versions of Windows 7 will appear in the EU eventually, Microsoft says, at which point it will return to its usual pricing structure.

There's a lot more going on here, including a few pricing issues that have yet to be resolved.

25.6.2009 11:56 #22

DXR88

i wonder how many copy's of Ultimate-full will sell.

25.6.2009 14:16 #23

creaky

Originally posted by DXR88: i wonder how many copy's of Ultimate-full will sell. Indeed. I love RC1 and everything but not at that price, i'd rather stick with RC1 if it didn't expire next March :p

25.6.2009 14:22 #24

DXR88

Upgrade Ultimate is the same price XP Pro was when it came out.

everything in between home, and ultimate is rather useless

its like they take the ultimate version, and say ok we'll cut this out and call it pro and the domino effect it until they get the lowest teer.

25.6.2009 14:27 #25

AfterDawn: News