Windows 7 to be released in October

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.