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January 18th, 2008

Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:59 am

Categories: Microsoft, Vista

Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

In Focus » See more posts on: Vista

If Windows 7 really is scheduled to make an appearance during the second half of 2009, does this mean that making the move to Vista is now a pointless effort?

TG Daily claim to have uncovered a roadmap for Windows 7 whichWindows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista suggests that Windows 7 is being fast-tracked:

Several industry sources have confirmed to TG Daily that a very early version of Windows 7, previously code-named Blackcomb Vienna, already has been shipped to “key partners” as a “Milestone 1″ (M1) code drop for validation purposes. A roadmap received by TG Daily indicates that the new operating system will be introduced in the second half of 2009.

While it has generally been believed that Windows 7 was scheduled for a 2010 debut, Microsoft has revised the roadmap and apparently moved up the release date by a few months: A recently distributed roadmap of the OS lists a release to manufacturing in H2 2009. Microsoft declined to comment on this date.

So this presents a dilemma for those who’ve not yet made the switch from XP to Vista. With 7 on the horizon, is it worth the time, effort and money making the switch when chances are that Microsoft will be pushing for another switch in a couple of years? But for those who have made the leap to Vista, these people could be looking at seeing a beta for 7 being available in a year or so.

My best guess here (combined with a little asking around) is that this roadmap is real and that Microsoft is speeding up development on Windows 7. It’s also highly probably that this is down to the fact that some customers have made it clear that they’re happy to stick with XP until the next version is released.

Trying to figure out what customers will want from Windows 7 isn’t easy. Judging by the feedback I’ve been coming across, Windows 7 will need to be faster than Vista, more robust, present the user with fewer compatibility hassles (note that TG Daily claim that Milestone 1 shipped in both x86 and x64 versions - an indication that support for 32-bit will continue) and not hammer system resources as much as Vista does. Oh, and it should be packed with compelling features to make the upgrade worthwhile. That could be a pretty tough call.

But what does this mean for Vista? Well, I’m ready to bet that Windows Ultimate Extras are history. I’d also be surprised if we see an SP2 for Vista before Windows 7 is released, especially if Microsoft is pulling out all the stops for 7. Vista feels more and more like a stop-gap between XP and 7.

What would you want from Windows 7?

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

Right to Reply: Should any industry representatives wish to comment on any posts on Hardware 2.0, I will be happy to publish their reply verbatim on this blog.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 275 Talkback(s)
More Cons and tricks
Come on Guys the truth please...window 7 is a cleaned up version of Vista.The next service pack for vista is to fix and take off things which don't work.

Try a change of tack? MS... just send a... (Read the rest)
Posted by: The Management consultant Posted on: 10/19/08  (Edited: 10/19/08 @ 10:58) You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
What's 7 going to have that Vista doesn't?  Michael Kelly | 01/18/08
Did you read the 'cough' artile?  nomoremicrosoft | 01/19/08
Don't Read Too Much Into It...  bhartman33@... | 01/20/08
Amen to that brother  Ben_E | 01/21/08
I agree as well  Mayoman16@... | 01/21/08
Changes in Windows 7  bhartman33@... | 01/21/08
Need to see my IMs  me@... | 01/22/08
Taskbar and Notification  bhartman33@... | 01/22/08
poor-man's "no taskbar" (use autohide)  Smarty_Pantz | 02/07/08
This reminds me of Windows ME (Mistake Edition)  PokeyJoe | 01/22/08
ME was more 32 bit than the 16 bit Win98  rupaa62 | 05/23/08
More Cons and tricks  The Management consultant | 10/19/08
Microsoft Plus! for Vista  laxmanb | 01/18/08
Better than XP???  ccrashh2@... | 01/18/08
Definitely better than XP!  laxmanb | 01/18/08
Vista is the reincarnation of Windows ME  rigo12 | 05/23/08
er i've not have a massive performance decrease with vista  SO.CAL Guy | 01/18/08
Kill off 32-bit???  jvenezia | 01/18/08
Why does there always have to be someone  Blogsworth | 01/18/08
What make it better?  voska1 | 01/21/08
Unless they use DX10  tikigawd | 01/22/08
Ok, personal attacks are fun...  philipralban@... | 01/18/08
Not really an issue  cornpie | 01/18/08
Beeeeeg mistake, podner!  Ole Man | 01/18/08
Huh? (NT)  Ben_E | 01/21/08
Actually, in some instances I prefer that legacy  alaniane@... | 01/22/08
The reason that 64-bit Windows isn't set for Drivers  Lerianis | 05/22/08
I can see why...  TtfnJohn | 01/19/08
64-bit & back on track  philipralban@... | 01/19/08
err...  AmraLeo | 01/23/08
re: err  ninexpoundhammer | 01/23/08
What performance decrease?  itpro_z | 01/18/08
What performance decrease?  erichmercado | 01/18/08
The Key: meet the requirements  Richard B | 01/18/08
sorry to butt in - but  chrome_slinky@... | 01/20/08
Or maybe different hardware  itpro_z | 01/24/08
Those computers are not good enough  l_eeburgess@... | 02/24/08
How about this performance decrease??  ccrashh2@... | 01/18/08
So much for the wives tale Vista needs a lot of memory.  ye | 01/18/08
Yeppers  Jack-Booted EULA | 01/18/08
No Blinders  itpro_z | 01/18/08
hearsay?  n0neXn0ne | 01/18/08
The problem is...  ye | 01/18/08
relative cost  jeerva1901@... | 01/23/08
Costs the same  itpro_z | 01/24/08
Exactly why businesses should stay on XP  Spats30 | 01/24/08
Answers to your questions  itpro_z | 01/24/08
First problem is  rupaa62 | 05/23/08
Utter rubbish  l_eeburgess@... | 02/24/08
I agree with you!  rupaa62 | 05/23/08
Seems you just don't care or notice them  voska1 | 01/21/08
Maybe it depends on the install.  itpro_z | 01/24/08
Vista is Garbage, IMO!!!  Sinbad713 | 01/28/08
Garbage?  wmjzyrk@... | 05/23/08
Garbage?  rigo12 | 05/23/08
Vista lays the foundation for Windows 7  ye | 01/18/08
I agree.  itpro_z | 01/18/08
From Vista to 7 perhaps...  Badgered | 01/18/08
Only if they remain on non-Vista certified software.  ye | 01/18/08
And why wouldn't they remain on non-Vista certified software?  Michael Kelly | 01/18/08
My argument assumes people will be upgrading.  ye | 01/18/08
Same problems but more time  voska1 | 01/21/08
Win7 - I thought it would be a subscription-based modular OS  Don Collins | 01/18/08
Agreed ...  MisterMiester | 01/18/08
linux  toddo12 | 01/18/08
Well that just not true ...  MisterMiester | 01/18/08
If that's how you troubleshoot...  Ben_E | 01/21/08
All depends on how you use it  voska1 | 01/21/08
I suppose you are right  Ole Man | 01/18/08
So then, by your logic  GuidingLight | 01/18/08
You are way way out beyond and far far past left field  Ole Man | 01/18/08
If anybody thinks Windows 7 will ship in 2009  frgough | 01/18/08
Look on the bright side  GuidingLight | 01/18/08
Hmm?  quikboy | 01/18/08
I wouldn't be surprised if it is released in 2009  voska1 | 01/21/08
I'm not so sure  itpro_z | 01/23/08
2009?  itpro_z | 01/18/08
Do you really believe that date  BCF1968 | 01/19/08
What??  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
Answers  itpro_z | 01/24/08
If you'll read TalkBack 89, you'll find my answer (NT)  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
Already testing it here...  Mike Cox | 01/18/08
just dripping....  nothingness | 01/18/08
It's 2008  Blogsworth | 01/18/08
I second that motion. (nt)  ye | 01/18/08
I give an...  Stuka | 01/18/08
The rep  ac2_z | 01/18/08
Loved it  Ben_E | 01/21/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  dave@... | 01/18/08
Vista has its plusses, but given its cost, if early adopters would get  HypnoToad72 | 01/18/08
You mean $3 XP?  Chad_z | 01/19/08
See? I Knew It!! It Follows History  itanalyst | 01/18/08
Why feel bad  GuidingLight | 01/18/08
True, but  itanalyst | 01/18/08
Mods to your list  DevGuy_z | 01/18/08
More revisions  itpro_z | 01/18/08
Win95...  Ben_E | 01/21/08
I remember the A, B, C editions  voska1 | 01/21/08
Found it  voska1 | 01/21/08
Also  itpro_z | 01/21/08
In addition  mystic100 | 01/22/08
So what...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
You left out Windows 2000  jorjitop | 01/18/08
You missed Windows 2000  voska1 | 01/21/08
Vista is definitely the new ME  ron@... | 01/23/08
Win7 is Windows Vista SP2  qmlscycrajg | 01/18/08
No it isn't  DevGuy_z | 01/18/08
Hmm..More *nix Like?  itanalyst | 01/18/08
Here's an idea  trr1971@... | 01/18/08
Here's a couple of reasons  itpro_z | 01/18/08
Here's couple of responses...  TtfnJohn | 01/19/08
OSX is *nix  itpro_z | 01/18/08
the linux kernel is monolitic, not modular!  qmlscycrajg | 01/19/08
FACT CHECK!!!!!!!!!!!  n0neXn0ne | 01/19/08
but you have to recompile  qmlscycrajg | 01/19/08
but you have to recompile the linux kernel  qmlscycrajg | 01/19/08
Actually, you don't need to recompile the kernel  TtfnJohn | 01/19/08
Wow, you packed a lot of minsinformation in one post!  NonZealot | 01/19/08
Message has been deleted.  n0neXn0ne | 01/20/08
You need to read up on this, quickly  NonZealot | 01/19/08
some facts you all need to know:  kRogue | 01/20/08
You forgot Micro Kernel (OS X)  wesmantx05@... | 01/22/08
Message has been deleted.  ballmerclone2@... | 01/19/08
You assume a lot...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/18/08
Yeah  Stuka | 01/18/08
They DO cut off support over time  Michael Kelly | 01/18/08
MS has cut off support for low-cost machines  Knorthern Knight | 01/18/08
Just so you know.  itpro_z | 01/18/08
True, but  Michael Kelly | 01/19/08
True  itpro_z | 01/19/08
re: Yeah  M.R. Kennedy | 01/18/08
True, it will FORCE many re-writes  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/08
re: True, it will FORCE many re-writes  M.R. Kennedy | 01/19/08
They claim PowerDesk Pro works in Vista, plus some other tips.  CobraA1 | 01/19/08
They will re-write, or be replaced.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08
Agreed  Ben_E | 01/21/08
If Ultimate Extra's are history, do I get a $100 rebate?  BitTwiddler | 01/18/08
No, You'll Get Something Even Better  itanalyst | 01/18/08
Assuming Live! is working  Stuka | 01/18/08
[EXCLUSIVE NEWS] Win7 is just only the Windows Vista SP2  qmlscycrajg | 01/18/08
re: [EXCLUSIVE NEWS] Win7 is just only the Windows Vista SP2  M.R. Kennedy | 01/18/08
I wildly overestimate the value of my opinion... wink  Ole Man | 01/19/08
Is it worth the time, effort and money making the switch  Jeremy W | 01/18/08
I'm quite happy with  Blogsworth | 01/18/08
Are you talking about Windows Vista or something on a different planet?  Tiggster | 01/18/08
He just like to read his own Bloat  GuidingLight | 01/18/08
Why does it need to be from a different planet?  Ben_E | 01/21/08
Might be a reason to skip *deploying* Vista, but certainly not testing  PB_z | 01/18/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  jfp | 01/18/08
Poor Design  croberts | 01/18/08
My guess is...  itpro_z | 01/18/08
Get it right the, errr, 2nd time  ejhonda | 01/18/08
Last gasp!!  techboy_z | 01/18/08
More Like Another Reason to Skip Windows  DaffyDuck | 01/18/08
Name a for profit Os..  SniperCT | 01/19/08
Get real  itpro_z | 01/20/08
When was Vista originally supposed to debut?  jorjitop | 01/18/08
But but  morrig | 01/23/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  ppgreat@... | 01/18/08
Message has been deleted.  ballmerclone2@... | 01/18/08
Ah, the ABMers just do not get it  GuidingLight | 01/18/08
noooooooooooooooooooooooo  CobraA1 | 01/18/08
Win 7 = XXP?  trm1945 | 01/18/08
win7? What about Vista!?  pricki@... | 01/19/08
Burned by Vista, won't be suckered again  zaine_ridling | 01/19/08
Burned By Vista??  wmjzyrk@... | 05/23/08
I believe he means  merc2dogs` | 05/23/08
Win7 - seven versions?  xTalk | 01/19/08
1 version?  itpro_z | 01/20/08
One version may be too few but...  ye | 01/20/08
I don't know  itpro_z | 01/20/08
Wouldn't "workstation" essentially be "professional"?  ye | 01/20/08
I was thinking more along the lines of...  itpro_z | 01/20/08
OLPC is targeted at a different market and therefore...  ye | 01/21/08
How did we get to 7? (history trivia)  charley cross | 01/22/08
Windows history  itpro_z | 01/22/08
What a mess  Chad_z | 01/19/08
Well, Another Good Point...  Kromaethius | 01/19/08
Bill Gates hints Vista was a stop gap to Windows 7  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/08
Sounds like...  ju1ce | 01/20/08
Won't be that long  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/08
Selling isn't the issue  voska1 | 01/21/08
Any distro or OS, do you use release now or release next  Boot_Agnostic | 01/19/08
Will Microsoft learn from its huge mistakes with Vista?  TechExec2 | 01/19/08
I find it hilarious that you don't see how Apple = Microsoft  NonZealot | 01/19/08
Yes and no  TechExec2 | 01/19/08
Couldn't have said it better  Ole Man | 01/19/08
Thanks, Ole Man! (NT)  TechExec2 | 01/21/08
You nailed it...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
What do you people do with your computers?  Rob Oakes | 01/19/08
Whine that its too long, now whine that its too soon?  IUseComputers | 01/19/08
It's the Press's job to whine  Ole Man | 01/19/08
Wait a minute  itpro_z | 01/20/08
Gee, tanks! I tink.............  Ole Man | 01/21/08
NO! It's the presses job to report facts.  ye | 01/20/08
Facts?  zkiwi | 01/20/08
Put what you want in one hand  Ole Man | 01/21/08
Too bad fact don't sell news  voska1 | 01/21/08
No whinning here either  voska1 | 01/21/08
Message has been deleted.  ballmerclone2@... | 01/19/08
Hell...  SniperCT | 01/19/08
Another reason to skip Vista......  linux for me | 01/19/08
Its Official- Vista is the new Windows ME  pw_mis_lists | 01/20/08
Nice bit of history  itpro_z | 01/20/08
I'm an early adopter of Vista and have no problems with it.  ye | 01/20/08
First off Win 9X was for home use  voska1 | 01/21/08
9X was more than that  itpro_z | 01/22/08
This is nothing new  custserv@... | 01/20/08
Win7 will be so bad people'll be pushed to vista?  kraterz | 01/20/08
Skip this story instead  cnfrisch | 01/21/08
The next great thing  whisperycat | 01/21/08
Users Will Still Wait Until Microsoft Gets It Right  chas_2 | 01/21/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  c#r@... | 01/21/08
Windows Vista, inevitably ME Reloaded  gmureddu@... | 01/21/08
Rebuttal  itpro_z | 01/21/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  progon | 01/21/08
Hasta La Vista! Microsoft's monetary ploy  cosintad@... | 01/21/08
Revisionism...  itpro_z | 01/21/08
Couldn't agree more...  NJDevils1087 | 01/21/08
Note: Whoops  NJDevils1087 | 01/21/08
New CPU's, new OS  Thore | 01/22/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  sabiodun@... | 01/22/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  Greg1126 | 01/22/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  jgeorge12001@... | 01/22/08
Old Fashioned Speculation  Dataland | 01/22/08
Windows 7--Please just add features, no more major revisions  hansonjb | 01/22/08
I agree 1000%  ron@... | 01/23/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  PatrynXX | 01/22/08
Win7 - don't make me replace all my utilities - again.  Jim Johnson | 01/22/08
Utilities like this...  itpro_z | 01/22/08
Umm... I have a bad driver in Vista story  meryllogue@... | 01/22/08
That sounds like Nvidia and Norton  itpro_z | 01/22/08
Choosing the proper vehicle for a load  Ole Man | 01/23/08
Windows 7 NOT if it retains VISTA like......  carlsf@... | 01/22/08
A way to sell Vista  informationworker | 01/22/08
I'll skip Vista and drop into Win7  aryu.limitless@... | 01/22/08
Let me get this straight.  itpro_z | 01/22/08
I think it's a great idea  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
Security  itpro_z | 01/24/08
I haven't picked up anything either...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
I use all three  itpro_z | 01/24/08
Hey itpro_z, check this out...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/24/08
OK, I checked it out  itpro_z | 01/24/08
Well there is some progress..  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/25/08
To: b8375629  itpro_z | 01/25/08
Except for your last statement...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/25/08
In my organization...  itpro_z | 01/25/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  ron@... | 01/23/08
Vista is today's ME  SteveMak | 01/23/08
In a way you may be right.  itpro_z | 01/23/08
Windows "7", and 64-bit?  tenchidbz | 01/23/08
Maybe for the desktop...  itpro_z | 01/23/08
When pigs fly  Tag-along | 01/23/08
When penguins fly  Ole Man | 01/23/08
Considering that you are still running 2K....  itpro_z | 01/23/08
nothing wrong with 2k  merc2dogs` | 05/23/08
Remember OS/2  goyta | 01/23/08
Separate SYSTEM from DATA!  muzhik | 01/23/08
Google better watch it IE 7 is just a seach engine switch  mikifinaz1@... | 01/23/08
Linux and Firefox comes to mind as an alternative...  mikifinaz1@... | 01/23/08
Vista's feeling like the new ME  John Musbach | 01/23/08
I was already willing to wait until 2010 to skip Vista.  Uber Dweeb | 01/24/08
Microsoft is NOT planning to release Windows 7 in 2009  HappyAndyk | 01/26/08
Is Vista Just another Example of ME?  daves1646 | 01/28/08
Windows7 isn;t an Me; with IRQ22 working through IRQ16 for an IDE/IEEX asp?  rtirman37@... | 02/08/08
Ummmmm.... Balthor?  meryllogue@... | 02/11/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  jet1959mo@... | 02/16/08
Not a good reason to skip Vista  Lerianis | 05/22/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  stevehabs | 05/23/08
yes  merc2dogs` | 05/23/08
Windows 7 is actually Vista 2.0  rupaa62 | 05/23/08
RE: Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista  wmjzyrk@... | 05/23/08
Windows 7 debut in 2009?  spincitysd@... | 05/23/08
Windows 7 wishlist  bricar2 | 05/23/08
I would agree. Vista is History  jpr75_z | 05/23/08

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