Next Windows OS only three years away?

Although Windows Vista was hindered by multiple delays before its eventual retail release on January 30, marking more than a five-year gap since the arrival of Windows XP, Microsoft Corp has indicated that its next Windows operating system (OS) should be ready for 2010.

According to an article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer, this past Friday saw the Redmond-based software giant tentatively reveal the scheduling for "Windows 7" as it’s presently known, during a slideshow presentation at a Microsoft global sales meeting.

Following the drawn-out arrival of Vista, Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer stated that never again would so much time be utilised on developing a new Windows OS, and the company has since shuffled its Windows development division to sidestep such problems in the future.

Set to exist as a considerable timeline turnaround when measured against the speed bump evolution of Vista, Microsoft’s next front-running "full OS release" should be on retail shelves within 3 years, suggests the SPI report.

Information pertaining to the developmental scheduling of "Windows 7" has been released to sales representatives, confirmed Microsoft, in order to provide a clearer picture of the new operating system’s timeline. Microsoft also offered that current predictions see the company "scoping Windows ‘7’ development to a three-year timeframe." Though it is also worth noting that the statement outlines the official release date will be defined by "meeting the quality bar."

A projected release of 2010, if met, would see Microsoft easing the concerns of corporate and enterprise customers who, according to a recent Forrester Research report, are displaying signs of becoming wary regarding Microsoft Software Assurance renewal.

MSA contracts generally run for three years and give customers instant access to upgraded Microsoft programs upon release. However, an OS development time period of five years (as with Vista) has meant that certain upgrades have fallen outside of standard MSA coverage – something Microsoft will likely be keen to rectify through "Windows 7".

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