The release of Microsoft's new operating 'Vista' has been scheduled for 30th January 2007. It was originally expected to be released in Mid 2006, but the launch date has repeatedly been postponed. Microsoft had to agree to make changes to Vista in order to avoid antitrust actions and to prevent a delay in releasing the product in Europe. The EU threatened in March to ban Vista over concerns that software included in the operating system violated antitrust laws.

Microsoft has scheduled a press conference for November 30th, to announce the new operating system, along with Office 2007. The releases, mark major updates to Microsoft's two key money makers. Vista's debut has been a long time in the making. Microsoft announced detailed plans for a new Windows release, code-named Longhorn, in October 2003.

Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007

The delay in the launch of Vista and the next version of MS Office has estimated to have cost Microsoft some $100 million per month in lost revenue. The overall PC market has also suffered a drop of up to 20% in sales as customers postpone purchases until the release of Vista, with heavy discounting of PC's and components as stock piles of unsold inventory build up. To counter this Microsoft is issuing discounted upgrade vouchers costing the company upwards of $1.5 billions to build demand and to support the PC market suffering from the delay.

Recently purchased PC's will be allowed a free upgrade to Vista. This is to allow consumers to purchase Windows XP systems during the Christmas holiday season and know that they can still upgrade to Vista without a fear of obsolescence. Specifically, those who purchase Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition will be treated as a business customer, and offered an upgrade path to Windows Vista Business Edition. Upgrades from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic and to Windows Vista Home Premium will be offered at a 50 percent discount from the boxed product upgrade price, plus the cost of shipping and handling

A summary of Microsoft Vista's key features -

Improved Security - Vista includes Microsoft Defender (antispyware) and Internet Explorer 7 (which includes a phishing filter and antispoofing technology)
User Account Control - Better user account system
Improved Software Setup and Maintenance - Create and store hard drive images.
Instant Search - To find files and documents
Windows Meeting Space: For business to communicate between offices.
Windows Aero - New graphical user interface

Which Windows Vista edition is right for you?	Home Basic	Business	Home Premium	Ultimate
Most secure Windows ever with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Quickly find what you need with Instant Search and Windows Internet Explorer
Elegant Windows Aero desktop experience with Windows Flip 3D navigation
Best choice for laptops with enhanced Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC support
Collaborate and share documents with Windows Meeting Space
Experience photos and entertainment in your living room with Windows Media Center
Enjoy Windows Media Center on TVs throughout your home with Xbox 360 and other devices
Protect against hardware failure with advanced business backup features
Business Networking and Remote Desktop for easier connectivity
Better protect your data against loss or theft with Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption

For a preview of what the operating system has to offer, visit http://www.seewindowsvista.com/

Comments

12 Nov 06, 22:15	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 Windows Vista will not allow kernel manipulation. So all the money you folks have invested in security software that uses this will not work with Vista. Microsoft wants you to rely soley on his security software only to protect that computer. I can see a lot of refunds being made when people purchase Vista and get it home and find out they can't use their own choice of security. This whole Vista thing is very dissappointing to me. Gates has all the security vendors in an uproar over this. I'm running XP Pro and have multiple image backups. I will run it even after it's not supported anymore because I refuse to be told what software I can use on my own computer. I'm wondering how much longer he will support XP in order to force people to Vista. I have been looking at alternatives for when this time comes. By then I will have figured out what I'm going too and it won't be windows unless there is a major change in Vista, but I doubt that.
13 Nov 06, 04:21	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 This is only in 64-bit Vista and not 32-bit Vista. 32-bit Vista still allows you existing security software vedndors to make the same hacks into the kernel that they've being doing for years - even though this isn't supported. 64-bit Vista locks this down to tighten security and increase stability - okay, as long as Microsoft will allow the security guys to have supported API's that allow them to develop their next generation of security tools.
14 Nov 06, 12:49	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 Thats interesting So there are two versions of windows Vista being released ? I.e. 32bit and 64 bit Whats the point of 32bit vista ? since its just old technology dating back 10 years ! I think I will leave it for a year at least so as these items are ironed out.
14 Nov 06, 12:53	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 Reading the comments it looks like there is some confusion on Vista, so heres some help for you people ! * You can only install the x64 version of Vista if you have a 64-bit processor. * Most hardware does not currently have 64-bit drivers * In Vista x64, any driver that is not properly signed will not be able to enter the kernel and will fail to load. * Vista x64 currently does not backward support most x86 (32-bit) drivers * Vista x64 does not support 16-bit software. * Very little x64 software currently exists Conclusion: Most users with 64-bit hardware should install the 32-bit (x86) version of Vista. The lack of 64-bit drivers for most current hardware will be very disappointing and frustrating to most users. The performance gains promised by 64-bit will not be seen for years until 64-bit compiled versions of software is the norm. So stick with XP or 32bit Vista !
14 Nov 06, 21:17	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 Microsoft had to implement a fix after a secuirty expert demonstrated a hack that could bypass security protection built into 64bit versions of Vista in order to inject potentially hostile code into the kernel. But the fix prevents legitimate applications, such as disk editors and recovery tools, from functioning without their own signed kernel-level driver. Hackers might be able to hijack the legitimate drivers so all Microsoft has done has created extra work for developers in displacing - but not resolving - the problem. So much for Vista 64bit kernel security !
15 Nov 06, 07:16	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 Absolute cods-wallop! There are PLENTY of 3rd party security solutions for Vista. They just have to be designed for Vista. One of the best (Avast Antivirus which is free), works perfectly on Vista. The reason why security vendors are up-in-arms are because they are trying to push into the kernel which Vista does not allow. By protecting the kernel, Vista is already immune to a vast number of viruses. Additionally the reason for 32bit versions of Vista is because not everyone has a 64bit processor. Additionally, the main benefits are better memory allocation however the performance difference is minimal. Learn your facts first!!!!
18 Nov 06, 06:46	Re: Microsoft Vista operating system to be released on 30th January 2007 whats about the graphics, are they any good ?
Pat Duckworth 19 May 07, 14:35	Problems with Vista I am very disappointed in the "NEW" Windows Vista program. There is a HUGE problem with the email portion. The Security program causes continual problems with blocked emails both incoming and outgoing. For those of us that aren't "computer geeks", this is overwhelming. It is shameful that a product which apparently was pushed back on the production date was still allowed to be issued without fixing this BIG BUG.

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