Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has said that Windows 7 may be released "sometime in the next year or so." Windows 7 (formerly known as Blackcomb and Vienna) is the working name for the next major version of Microsoft Windows as the successor of Windows Vista. (Click to enlarge screenshots)
It was generally believed that Windows 7 would ship in 2010. The current version of Windows, known as Vista, shipped in January 2007.
Windows 7 and its intended feature list have been the topic of speculation since Microsoft discussed some details of the new software last summer. Microsoft has said little except that Windows 7 will ship in consumer and business versions, and in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The company also confirmed that it is considering a subscription model to complement Windows, but did not provide specifics or a time frame.
Gates said in a statement: “I’m super-enthused about what it will do in lots of ways. That’ll be sometime in the next year or so that we’ll have a new version.”
Windows 7 Ultimate is version 6.1 (Build 6519.1.x86fre.winmain.071220-1525). Windows 7 features support for multiple video cards from different manufacturers running simultaneously and comes with a new Windows Media Center. With Windows 7 M1 already available, Microsoft is now planning to drop M2 in April/May 2008 as well as M3 in the third quarter. At the same time the Beta, Release Candidates and RTM dates are yet to be set. However, Microsoft did indicate to its partners that it is looking to the second half of 2009 for the release to manufacturing of Windows 7.
Windows 7 M1 ISO is 6519.1.071220-1525, and was served in both 32-bit and 64-bits flavors. The installation experience of the operating system is very similar to that of Windows Vista, offering various versions including Home Premium, Business and Ultimate. Windows 7 delivers support for Extended Firmware Interface (EFI).
Many users have complained about Vista's huge resource requirements and lack of compatibility with their existing applications. To experience all of Vista's features, users need a computer with at least a 1-GHz processor, 1 GB of memory, and a 40-GB hard drive. By contrast, Windows XP Professional requires only a 300-MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, and a 1.5-GB disk.
Gates is currently scheduled to leave his day to day working at the company in June this year. He would then spend more time with his Gates Foundation.
