Software giant Microsoft announced that it will launch its next operating system, Windows 7, on 22 October after weeks of speculation.
“I can finally confirm Windows 7 timing,” a spokesperson said in an e-mail to InformationWeek. The spokesperson also confirmed that Windows Vista users will be provided with an Upgrade Option program to upgrade to Windows 7, rather than install a new copy altogether.
Rumours have emerged recently on the internet about when the new OS would be released. Many tech analysts predicted Windows 7 would be released before the Christmas break to take advantage of holiday spending, a move Microsoft admitted it missed when releasing Windows Vista.
As part of the move into making Windows 7 commercially available, Microsoft said users of the beta version will see their systems shutting down every two hours until the OS is uninstalled.
Those wanting to use Windows 7 before its release can still download the Release Candidate, a more polished and up-to-date version.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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