Microsoft is being less tight-lipped about its upcoming operating system, Windows 7. Executives at the Redmond, Wash.-based software behemoth announced Wednesday that Windows 7 will be available in October, with special deals before to its launch.
During a keynote speech at Computex 2009 in Taipei, Taiwan, Microsoft Vice President Steve Guggenheimer said the company plans to push out the release to manufacturing code in the second half of July and Windows 7 will be available on Oct. 22, in time for the holidays.
The company said it will begin offering special deals on upgrades to Windows 7 if users buy a Vista-equipped PC before the October launch.
A free or discounted upgrade program touted as the Windows 7 Upgrade Option will be made available, but Microsoft wouldn’t give details, including when it will begin, how long it will last, and how much retailers would charge for the upgrade. Microsoft execs also left out which versions of Vista would be eligible for the upgrade.
“Microsoft has been working closely with partners to help our mutual customers be able to enjoy the many benefits of Windows 7,” Guggenheimer said. “With that in mind, we’re excited to say that there will be a Windows upgrade program available.”
He added that consumers can buy a new PC knowing they will get Windows 7 as part of the purchase.
“I’ll be doing another blog post about this program with a date and more details when we get closer to availability,” said Microsoft’s Brandon Leblanc, in an official blog.
Despite a weakening of PC sales this year, 10 million netbooks were shipped globally last year, according to IDC. Microsoft dominated that market, with 90 percent of the netbooks shipped as of January running Windows XP.
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