'Windows 7' name finalized

Microsoft has confirmed that 'Windows 7' will be the final name for the next version of Windows which is likely to be released in late 2009 or early 2010.

This is the first time that Microsoft has chosen to stick with its code name for a final Windows release.

Mike Nash, corporate vice president, said, "Since we began development of the next version of the Windows client operating system we have been referring to it by a codename, "Windows 7". But now is a good time to announce that we've decided to officially call the next version of Windows as Windows 7."

Nash cited several reasons in his blog for retaining the code name as the final name for the successor of its Windows Vista operating system. He stated, "Over the years, we have taken different approaches to naming Windows. We've used version numbers like Windows 3.11, or dates like Windows 98, or 'aspirational' monikers like Windows XP or Windows Vista. And since we do not ship new versions of Windows every year, using a date did not make sense."

Talking about innovation with new names, Nash said, "Coming up with an all-new 'aspirational' name does not do justice to what we are trying to achieve, which is to stay firmly rooted in our aspirations for Windows Vista, while evolving and refining the substantial investments in platform technology in Windows Vista into the next generation of Windows."

Nash emphasized on the word simplicity, and explained that this is the seventh release of Windows, therefore "Windows 7" just makes sense.

So far, Microsoft has disclosed very little about the features of Windows 7 and what exactly can the users expect out of it. The only little information that could be revealed was from an interview with the engineering chief, Steven Sinofsky who said that Windows 7 would use the same driver structure and underpinnings as Vista. The software maker has also talked about its multi-touch capability.

However, Microsoft is now set to reveal a lot more details about Windows 7 at its Professional Developers Conference(PDC) which is scheduled for October 27. Microsoft also plans to distribute pre-beta version of the software to developers at this conference.

Nash said, "For me, one of the most exciting times in the release of a new product is right before we show it to the world for the first time. In a few weeks we are going to be talking about the details of this release at the PDC and at WinHEC. We will be sharing a pre-beta 'developer only release' with attendees of both shows and giving them the first broad in-depth look at what we've been up to."