Microsoft confirmed that it plans to release the finished version of Windows 7 by the end of the year, in time for the holiday shopping season.

It was originally scheduled for release in 2010, but after the successful launch of the Beta test version and the Release Candidate two weeks ago, it looks like Microsoft will finish Windows 7 before Christmas. Apparently, there are not many bugs to repair as both beta and RC versions showed fewer crashes than earlier Windows systems (could this be Windows Vista?). Therefore, there is less work to do than expected before W7 is released. Plus, the positive feedback and great reviews from experts and other PC users must have convinced Microsoft to plan the release ahead of schedule.

Partner support has also been great. Many hardware makers will be ready to produce W7 ready peripherals in time for the release. This wasn’t the case with Windows Vista. Anyone remember the lack of or limited support for hardware back in 2007, when Vista first came out? You just couldn’t find drivers for many graphic cards and sound cards, just to name a few examples. Even today, some hardware still doesn’t work (well) with Windows Vista.

Usually it takes up to 14 weeks for a new product to be declared final and ready for launch, so we can expect more news about Windows 7 very soon.

At the same time when Windows 7 is finalized, Microsoft plans to finish and release the new update to the Windows Server 2008 – the R2 version. In addition, Microsoft plans to show off Office 2010 at the TechEd in July. The new version of the Office suite is expected to simplify and speed up many features.

2009 will be an interesting year for Microsoft.

Update: Microsoft has just announced that Windows 7 will be released on 22. October 2009.

Source: CNN and News.com.au