Windows 7: What Does the Next Version of Windows Have in Store for You?

Windows 7, codenamed Vienna, is the next version of Windows, Microsoft's line of operating systems. Though Windows 7 is not yet the official given name, it is the name that is currently used. The planned development time is three years, so it should be released by 2010. Microsoft is keeping much of Windows 7 a secret since they want to concentrate on promoting the new Windows Vista. Windows 7 is expected to have new version of Windows Explorer that was designed by the same group that developed Microsoft Office 2007. Windows 7 is also expected to include Windows Virtualization technologies and Windows Future Storage Technologies.

Windows 7 will be focused on making it easier for users to find and use information. Intuitive user interfaces are expected such as speech recognition and digital ink. Another main goal for Windows 7 will obviously be security. Windows 7 will provide increased security and functions that will protect the user's files and data. Just like Windows Vista, Windows 7 will be expected to ship in 32-bit versions and 64-bit versions.

It is also predicted that Microsoft will provide a subscription service with the new operating system so that users can access their files and settings from other computers. This will extend Windows Seven, much like the current Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP), which is currently available to Microsoft's Software Assurance customers

It is a bit unclear how Microsoft came up with the name "Windows 7." If you count all Windows starting from Windows 1.0, it should be Windows 11.

Windows 1.0
Windows 2.0/2.1
Windows 3.0/3.1
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7

Even though it's not clear how they came up with the name, it is most likely going to change between now and the next three years.

While there is still no word on specific features, Microsoft does affirm that it is taking both the consumer and the business segments into account in developing Windows 7.

Overall, Windows 7 still has a lot of time before release, and thus the developers working on it have a lot to change and modify. Windows Vista was just recently released and Microsoft is concentrating on promoting Vista. The next step for Microsoft is to release Service Pack 1.0 for Windows Vista around 2008. Fans of Windows XP are still skeptical of Windows Vista, so Microsoft is focusing their attention on winning them over.