Microsoft also announced a special preorder for US, Canadian, and Japanese customers which allows them the opportunity to pre-order Windows 7 at a significant discount. Starting tomorrow, customers in these three countries will be able to pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 or Windows 7 Professional for $99.99. This pre-order program will run from June 26 to July 5 in Japan and June 26 to July 11 in the United States and Canada. UK, French, and German customers will have to wait until July 15 through August 14 to take advantage of the deals, although there was no pricing listed for those countries.
Additionally, there was an announcement for customers who purchase new computers before Windows 7 is released. Similar to the upgrade option program that existed for Vista, Microsoft announced that starting on June 26, anyone who purchases a computer with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate will receive an upgrade to the corresponding Windows 7 version at little or no cost. This upgrade program is a global program that will run until January 31, 2010.
Finally, the timetable for Windows 7 to be released in 35 separate languages has been shortened to almost a week, as October 22 will see a release in 14 languages, with a further 21 to be released nine days later on October 31.
Windows 7, the next major release of the world's most popular operating system, will be officially available to the public on 22 October.
Microsoft is hoping it can avoid the negative press that surrounded the launch of Vista, the last major Windows release, almost three years ago.
Windows 7 has been designed to be compatible with Vista so users do not have to invest in new hardware.
Customers who buy a new PC with Vista will be offered upgrades to Windows 7.
Microsoft's Charlotte Jones demonstrates Windows 7's new features
At the Computex 2009 trade show in Taipei, Microsoft's Steve Guggenheimer said: "We've received great feedback from our partners who are looking forward to offering Windows 7 to their customers in time for the holidays."
Mr Guggenheimer said that Microsoft will make an upgrade option available, so PC makers and retail partners can offer customers the ability to purchase a Windows Vista-based PC and install Windows 7 when it is released.
When Vista was launched many users expressed frustration that the operating system did not work with all types of existing hardware and peripherals, or programs used commonly on PCs.
And a Vista compatibility programme for hardware proved to be confusing and, in some cases, somewhat misleading.
 |
Windows 7 features
Windows XP mode - a virtual PC that can run older applications that might not run on Windows 7
Remote Media Streaming - access your home digital media over the net
Aero Peek - full screen previews of applications
Windows Touch: Support for multi-touch devices
Gadgets: Widgets now appear on the desktop and not in a sidebar
|
Windows 7 will also have "comparable system requirements" to Vista, which should mean that if your PC is capable of running Vista it will also run the new version.
Windows 7 promises a major usability improvement on Vista, and a simplification of security measures which caused frustration for many users.
Beta testers of Windows 7 have reported that it is faster than Vista, especially in terms of start-up and shutdown sequence of the computer.
The software company has clarified when the Windows 7 Beta and the Release Candidate will begin their mind games in order to, encourage you, shall we say, to splash out for the official version of the OS.
Although the Beta's shut down was said to begin on 1 June, it has now been confirmed that this date is in fact the 1 July 2009.
This will mean it will begin shutting down every two hours, regardless of what you are doing.
In the case of the RC - its bi-hourly shutdowns will begin on 1 March, 2010.
Microsoft says "Windows will notify you that the expiration process is beginning and two weeks later your PC will begin shutting down every two hours", so you should have fair warning.
Related links
Over the past few years, you've asked us to make some changes to Windows. We listened closely. Now it's time to share an early look at how we've used your feedback. Windows 7 is faster, more reliable, and makes it easier to do what you want. Both the everyday things and the killer "is that really possible?" things. Dig into this site to see what's coming.
The Windows 7 RC will be available May 5, and you'll be able to download it from microsoft.
Get the picture: See what's open with previews and easily control your Windows experience with the new Taskbar.