The new version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system, Windows 7, is now in the release-to-manufacturing stage, meaning the software will soon begin to be preloaded onto new computers sold.
The announcement was made by chief executive Steve Ballmer at a special company event overnight.
The software has gone through several test stages, including a “Release Candidate” which was released earlier in the year. Software and hardware vendors will be able to download the release-to-manufacturing version on 6 August.
Microsoft is hoping Windows 7 will boost the company’s sales over Christmas, after Windows Vista failed to perform as well as expected. The company has also said that it does not want to repeat the previous mistakes of releasing Vista after the Christmas rush.
Windows 7 is expected to be released in late October.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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