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Development of Windows 7

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Windows 7
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Development of Windows 7 started in 2006. Windows 7 has been in development for over two years and is expected to be released on between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.[1]

History

In 2000, Microsoft was planning to follow up Windows XP and its server counterpart Windows Server 2003 (both codenamed Whistler) with a major new release of Windows that was codenamed Blackcomb (both codenames refer to the Whistler-Blackcomb resort). This new version was at that time scheduled for a 2005 release.[2][3]

Major features were planned for Blackcomb, including an emphasis on searching and querying data and an advanced storage system named WinFS to enable such scenarios. In this context, a feature mentioned by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for Blackcomb was "a pervasive typing line that will recognize the sentence that [the user is] typing in."[4]

Later, Blackcomb was delayed and an interim, minor release, codenamed "Longhorn", was announced for a 2003 release.[5] By the middle of 2003, however, Longhorn had acquired some of the features originally intended for Blackcomb, including WinFS, the Desktop Window Manager, and new versions of system components built on the .NET Framework. After the 2003 "Summer of Worms", where three major viruses − Blaster, Sobig, and Welchia − exploited flaws in Windows operating systems within a short time period, Microsoft changed its development priorities, putting some of Longhorn's major development work on hold in order to develop new service packs for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Development of Longhorn was also "reset" in September 2004.

Naming

As major feature work on Windows Vista wound down in early 2006, Blackcomb was renamed Vienna.[6] However, following the release of Windows Vista, it was confirmed by Microsoft on 20 July 2007 that "the internal name for the next version of the Windows Client OS"[7] was Windows 7, a name that had been reported by some sources months before.[6] On 13 October 2008, it was announced that Windows 7 would also be the official name of the operating system.[8][9]

On 13 October 2008 Mike Nash, Microsoft's vice-president of Windows product management said:

The decision to use the name Windows 7 is about simplicity. Simply put, this is the seventh release of Windows, so therefore Windows 7 just makes sense. Coming up with an all-new 'aspirational' name does not do justice to what we are trying to achieve, which is to stay firmly rooted in our aspirations for Windows Vista, while evolving and refining the substantial investments in platform technology in Windows Vista into the next generation of Windows.[9][10]

Numbering this version of Windows as "7" has confused many users, so on 14 October 2008 Nash clarified his earlier remarks, saying:[11][12]

The very first release of Windows was Windows 1.0, the second was Windows 2.0, the third Windows 3.0. Here's where things get a little more complicated. Following Windows 3.0 was Windows NT which was code versioned as Windows 3.1. Then came Windows 95, which was code versioned as Windows 4.0. Then, Windows 98, 98 SE and Windows Millennium each shipped as 4.0.1998, 4.10.2222, and 4.90.3000, respectively. So we're counting all 9x versions as being 4.0. Windows 2000 code was 5.0 and then we shipped Windows XP as 5.1, even though it was a major release we didn't want to change code version numbers to maximize application compatibility. That brings us to Windows Vista, which is 6.0. So we see Windows 7 as our next logical significant release and 7th in the family of Windows releases...There's been some fodder about whether using 6.1 in the code is an indicator of the relevance of Windows 7. It is not. Windows 7 is a significant and evolutionary advancement of the client operating system. It is in every way a major effort in design, engineering and innovation. The only thing to read into the code versioning is that we are absolutely committed to making sure application compatibility is optimized for our customers.[12]

Focus

Microsoft's Ben Fathi stated on 9 February 2007 that the focus of the operating system was still being worked out, and he could only hint at some possibilities:[13]

We're going to look at a fundamental piece of enabling technology. Maybe it's hypervisors. I don't know what it is [...] Maybe it's a new user interface paradigm for consumers.

Bill Gates, in an interview with Newsweek, suggested that the next version of Windows would "be more user-centric."[14] When asked to clarify what he meant, Gates said:

That means that right now when you move from one PC to another, you've got to install apps on each one, do upgrades on each one. Moving information between them is very painful. We can use Live Services to know what you're interested in. So even if you drop by a [public] kiosk or somebody else's PC, we can bring down your home page, your files, your fonts, your favorites and those things. So that's kind of the user-centric thing that Live Services can enable. [Also,] in Vista, things got a lot better with [digital] ink and speech, but by the next release there will be a much bigger bet. Students won't need textbooks; they can just use these tablet devices. Parallel computing is pretty important for the next release. We'll make it so that a lot of the high-level graphics will be just built into the operating system. So we've got a pretty good outline.

Gates later said that Windows 7 will also focus on performance improvements:[15]

We're hard at work, I would say, on the next version, which we call Windows 7. I'm very excited about the work being done there. The ability to be lower power, take less memory, be more efficient, and have lots more connections up to the mobile phone, so those scenarios connect up well to make it a great platform for the best gaming that can be done, to connect up to the thing being done out on the Internet, so that, for example, if you have two personal computers, that your files automatically are synchronized between them, and so you don't have a lot of work to move that data back and forth.

Senior Vice President Bill Veghte stated that Windows 7 will not have the kind of compatibility issues with Vista that Vista has with previous versions:[16]

You've let us know you don't want to face the kinds of incompatibility challenges with the next version of Windows you might have experienced early with Windows Vista. As a result, our approach with Windows 7 is to build off the same core architecture as Windows Vista so the investments you and our partners have made in Windows Vista will continue to pay off with Windows 7. Our goal is to ensure the migration process from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is straightforward.

Speaking about Windows 7 on 16 October 2008, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed compatibility between Vista and Windows 7:[17]

Our next release of Windows will be compatible with Vista. The key is let’s get on with it. We’ll be ready when you want to deploy Windows 7.[17]

Ballmer also confirmed the relationship between Vista and Windows 7, indicating that Windows 7 will be an improved version of Vista.[17]

Builds

File:Build6801superbar.png
Windows 7 Build 6801 with the new Windows Taskbar enabled
File:Win7 bootscreen.png
Windows 7 new boot screen announced since build 6954
File:AeroSnap.png
Windows 7 Build 6956 showing the new feature Aero Snap
Milestone 1

The first known build of Windows 7 was identified as a "Milestone 1 (M1) code drop" according to TG Daily with a version number of 6.1.6519.1. It was sent to key Microsoft partners by January 2008 in both x86 and x86-64 versions although only x86 leaked.[18][19] Though not yet commented on by Microsoft, reviews and screenshots have been published by various sources.[20][21] The M1 code drop installation comes as either a standalone install or one which requires Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, and creates a dual-boot system.[22]

On 20 April 2008, screenshots and videos of a second build of M1 were leaked with a version number of 6.1.6574.1. This build included changes to Windows Explorer as well as a new Windows Health Center.[23]

Milestone 2

According to the TG Daily article of 16 January 2008, the Milestone 2 (M2) code drop was at that time scheduled for April or May 2008.[18] A Milestone 2 build was demonstrated at the D6 conference[24] with a build number of 6.1.6589.1.x86fre.winmain_win7m2.080420-1634. The build had a different taskbar than found in Windows Vista, with, among other features, sections divided into different colors. The host declined to comment on it, stating "I'm not supposed to talk about it now today".[25]

Milestone 3

According to Paul Thurrott, Milestone 3 (build 6780) was shipped to Microsoft employees and close partners in the week of 7 September 2008. Described as visually and functionally similar to Windows Vista by Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet[26] and Stephen Chapman of UX Evangelist,[27] some bundled applications in Milestone 3 now use a ribbon interface similar to that of Office 2007.[28]

Many applications that had been integrated into previous versions of Windows have been removed, including Calendar, Contacts, Mail, Meeting Space, Movie Maker, and Photo Gallery and are available as downloads in the Windows Live Wave 3 beta release.[29] WinFuture.de has since leaked 192 images of Windows 7 build 6780.[30]

Build 6801

On 8 October 2008, screenshots of Windows 7 build 6801 were leaked.[31] On 28 October 2008, Microsoft distributed build 6801 x86 and x64 to attendees at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC).[32] It has since been leaked to bittorrent networks.[33] It features an enhanced taskbar similar to the one in build 6933 although it is disabled by default. An unofficial patch has been released to enable the new taskbar in build 6801.[34][35]

Pre-Beta

Microsoft also demonstrated build 6933.winmain.081020-1842 during the PDC, but did not give it to attendees.[36] On 14 November 2008, screenshots of Windows 7 build 6936 were leaked by Winfuture.[37] On 20 November 2008, Microsoft posted screenshots of build 6948 on the Engineering Windows 7 blog.[38] In early December, WinFuture.de leaked screenshots of build 6956, which demonstrated a new bootscreen and several improvements.[39] At WinHEC in China, an attendee leaked Windows 7 Build 6956 x86.[40] Paul Thurrott has posted several screenshots on his website of another build from the 69xx range.[41] On December 10, 2008, Windows 7 Build 6936 x64 leaked to the internet. On december 20th a screenshot of Windows 7 beta Build 7004 was leaked onto the internet

Planned builds

Beta

Microsoft has confirmed that a Windows 7 Beta DVD will be given out at the Microsoft Developer Conference on 13th January 2009, or sent to attendees afterward.[42] According to Windows 7 News, the public beta is scheduled to be released on January 7, 2009 with the build number 7000.[43]

Release candidate

Microsoft plans to move on to the release candidate stage for Windows 7 immediately after Beta.[1]

Final build

Microsoft plans to release the final build of Windows 7 between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Marius Oiaga (2008-11-21). "Microsoft Confirms Windows 7 Could Drop as Early as July 1, 2009". Softpedia. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  2. ^ Microsoft pushes back Blackcomb to 2005
  3. ^ .Net Server: Three delays a charm?
  4. ^ Gates, Bill (2000-07-12). "Professional Developers Conference Remarks". microsoft.com. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  5. ^ Lettice, John (2001-10-24). "Gates confirms Windows Longhorn for 2003". The Register. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  6. ^ a b Thurrott, Paul (14 February 2007). "Windows "7" FAQ". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  7. ^ Foley, Mary J (2007-07-20). "Windows Seven: Think 2010". ZDNet. Retrieved 2007-09-19.
  8. ^ Fried, Ina (2008-10-13). "Microsoft makes Windows 7 name final". CNET. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  9. ^ a b Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2008). "For Microsoft's Windows, 7th time's a charm". Retrieved 2008-10-27. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Collins, Barry (14 October 2008). "Windows 7 to be called... Windows 7". PC Pro. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  11. ^ Protalinski, Emil (2008). "Final release of Windows 7 to have kernel version 6.1". Retrieved 2008-11-24. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. ^ a b Nash, Mike. (2008). "Windows Vista Team Blog - Why 7?". Retrieved 2008-11-24. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Robert McMillan, IDG News Service (9 February 2007). "Microsoft: Vista follow-up likely in 2009".
  14. ^ Steven Levy (3 February 2007). "Bill Gates on Vista and Apple's 'Lying' Ads".
  15. ^ Bill Gates (12 May 2007). "Bill Gates: Japan—Windows Digital Lifestyle Consortium".
  16. ^ Marius Oiaga (24 June 2008). "Windows 7 Will Not Inherit the Incompatibility Issues of Vista".
  17. ^ a b c Dignan, Larry (2008). "Ballmer: It's ok to wait until Windows 7; Yahoo still 'makes sense'; Google Apps 'primitive'". Retrieved 2008-10-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. ^ a b Gruener, Wolfgang (2008-01-16). "TG Daily - Windows Vista successor scheduled for a H2 2009 release?". TG Daily. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  19. ^ Dan Graham (2008-01-18). "Windows 7 set for late 2009 release". Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  20. ^ "More Windows 7 screenshots surfacing". Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  21. ^ ThinkNext.net: Screenshots from a blogger with Windows 7 M1
  22. ^ TG Daily: Windows 7 M1: Nothing to get excited about
  23. ^ "Leaked Details of Windows 7 M1 March 2008 Edition Version 6.1 Build 6574.1". Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  24. ^ "Gates and Ballmer debut Windows 7". engadget. 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  25. ^ "Evolution of the taskbar in Windows 7 - "Superbar"". Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  26. ^ "Windows 7 hits Milestone 3". ZDNet.com.
  27. ^ "Windows 7 Paint and WordPad: New UI, New Functionality".
  28. ^ "Ahead of PDC, Microsoft Begins Internal Test of Windows 7". Paul Thurrott. 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  29. ^ "Windows 7 M3 Build 6780 Pictures and Video". Thinknext.net.
  30. ^ "Windows 7 Meilenstein 3 Build 6.1.6780 Screenshots and Photos". WinFuture.de.
  31. ^ "Windows 7 Meilenstein 3 Build 6.1.6801 Screenshots and Photos". WinFuture.de.
  32. ^ "Windows 7 Media Center Features in PDC Build 6801 of Windows 7". D' Technology Weblog. 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  33. ^ "Windows 7 Pre-Beta Hits Bittorrent". 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  34. ^ "Flashy Windows 7 bits protected by elaborate scheme, workaround". withinwindows. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  35. ^ "Unlocking special features and taskbar, removing 30 day trial and watermark on Windows 7 (build 6801)". DoesWhat (Tutorial What). 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  36. ^ "Introducing the Windows 7 UI". Tom Warren. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  37. ^ "Windows 7 Meilenstein Build 6.1.6936 Screenshots and Photos". WinFuture.de.
  38. ^ Chaitanya (2008-11-20). "Engineering Windows 7: The Windows 7 Taskbar". Microsoft. {{cite web}}: Text "2008-11-22" ignored (help)
  39. ^ "Windows 7 Meilenstein Build 6.1.6956 Screenshots and Photos". WinFuture.de.
  40. ^ "Windows 7 Build 6956 leaked by an attendee at WinHEC China". Windows7Center.com.
  41. ^ "Windows 7 Build 69xx Screenshots". WinSuperSite.com.
  42. ^ MDC Event Team. "About the MDC". Microsoft. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  43. ^ "Public Windows 7 Beta News". Public Windows 7 Beta News. 2008=12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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