Windows 7: FAQ

Q: Is Microsoft working on an operating system after Windows Vista?

A: Yes. The next client version of Windows was originally codenamed "Blackcomb," though the company renamed it to "Windows Vienna" in early 2006 and to "Windows Seven" or "Windows 7" more recently.

Q: Why Windows 7?

A: Microsoft says that Windows 7 is the "seventh" major Windows version, which it isn't, but whatever. Adding to the mystery, the Windows 7 version number will actually be 6.1, the same as Windows Server 2008.

Q: Is Windows 7 the final name?

A: Yes! Like Vienna, Windows 7 was originally just a codename. But Microsoft announced in October 2008 that they would use Windows 7 as the final name of the product. Read the WinInfo article describing this announcement for more information.

Q: I heard that Windows Vista will be the last major OS release from Microsoft. Is that true?

A: No, and Microsoft has already stated explicitly that it's begun work on Windows 8. Windows-based PCs will continue to form the center of our digital lifestyles, and as Microsoft executives have noted in recent days, there are still plenty of areas in which Microsoft can improve Windows. Some obvious examples include voice recognition and storage.

Q: So is Windows 7 going to be a major Windows version?

A: This one is complicated. Windows Vista was a major release, and Microsoft is positioning Windows 7 as a major release as well. However, the language Microsoft uses to describe the technical underpinnings of the Windows 7 suggest that this product will in fact be a minor release, or what the Windows Server team would have called an interim, or R2 ("release 2") release.

Microsoft corporate vice president Steven Sinofsky described it this way: "[We are not going to] introduce additional [in]compatibilities, particularly in the driver model. Windows Vista was about improving those things ... Memory management, networking, process management, all of the security hardening, all of those things will carry forth, and maintain the compatibility with applications that people expect.

Windows Vista established a very solid foundation, a multiyear foundation, particularly on subsystems like graphics and audio and storage and things like that, and Windows 7--and then Windows Server 2008 built on that foundation, and Windows 7 will continue to build on that foundation as well."

Q: What features will be included in Windows 7?

A: Refer to our Windows 7 features page...

Q: When will Windows 7 ship?

A: Microsoft currently plans to ship Windows 7 by early 2010, about three years after Vista.

Q: I've heard rumors of secret new features coming in Windows 7. Is this true?

A: Windows 7 will come with a secret new feature called XP Mode that brings a virtualized Windows XP environment to the OS (Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate SKUs only). There were also persistent rumors that Microsoft was planning to replace the Aero UI skin with a new version. This new UI skin never materialized, however.

Q: Is Windows 7 the same as Windows Blackcomb or Vienna?

A: Yes. Vienna and Blackcomb were old codenames.

Q: Will Windows 7 be available in 64-bit only?

A: No. It will be available as a 32-bit and 64-bit version. Microsoft now says it will be the final Windows version to ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Q: Will Windows 7 utilize a new kernel?

A: Nope. Previous rumors about Microsoft creating a new kernel that is one-sixth of the size of Windows Vista's kernel were not true.

Q: Is Windows 7 a major or minor release?

A: Windows 7 will be a major release. (For example: Windows XP SP2 was a minor release)

Q: Will Windows 7 use the same driver device model as Vista?

A: Yes it will, meaning that existing drivers will work with Windows 7. No need for headaches over updates. Kudos to Microsoft for this one.

Q: Why does Windows 7 look awfully like Windows Vista?

A: No one is sure yet, but Microsoft is known to get the technical aspects and features done correctly first, before reworking the GUI.

Q: What's the whole deal with the Ribbon?

A: The Ribbon is what Microsoft believes as the future of navigation for programs. If you take a look at the Notepad Look-alike screenshots here that's what Microsoft wants to implement for programs to come. There's not a whole lot of detail about this yet.

Q: Virtual Hard Disks?

A: There were rumors of Microsoft posting a job listing for someone that can work on their virtualization features. However, an updated WinHEC 2008 agenda shows that the seminar on VHD will only be for Windows Server 2008.

Q: What about the sidebar and its gadgets??

A: Windows 7 will not have the sidebar like in Vista. However, gadgets are to play an integral part of the overall GUI, and will be "integrated" into the whole Windows system.

Q: How do I get Windows 7 Beta?*

A: The Public beta is due to come out sometime in mid-December. To get ready for it, make sure you have a Windows Live account and sign in Microsoft Connect and fill out your details. You can try looking for Windows 7 in the list but the last time I checked it wasn't there (please let me know if you do see it there.) I'll update you on when the
public beta starts getting distributed.

Q: Just how fast does Windows 7 boot up?*

A: Just to give you an idea, let me give you my specs:
CPU: Intel Core2Duo e6750 - 2.66GhZ
Motherboard: Gigabyte P35 DS3R
RAM: 2GB Crucial at 733MhZ
HD: 640GB Samsung 16MB Cache

On Vista I boot up in about 35 seconds, and Windows 7 ranges from 20-25. It actually gets faster the more I use my computer. On Asus EEE netbook tests, it takes 58 seconds to boot up. Lifehacker claims it is 20% faster than Vista in terms of boot time.

Q: Why the name 'Windows 7'?

A: If the history of naming products at Microsoft has thought us anything, it's that until very soon before the release of the product, we will be dealing with a code-name. This means that Windows 7 is not the final name of the product. The reason behind the name is that Windows Vista is using NT Kernel version 6, and Windows 7 will presumably be labeled with NT Kernel version 7.

Q: Is Windows 7 the same as Windows Vienna?

Yes; Windows 7 was previously named Windows Vienna (hence the name of this website) and before that, Windows Blackcomb. They are the same operating systems only with different names.

Q: Is Windows 7 a major operating system release?

A: Since "major" is a relative term, and it can mean different things to different people, there is no straight answer to this one. Windows 7 will not break all compatibility with previous applications and hardware supported by Windows Vista for the sake of starting from scratch, despite original reports that claimed so. All the security hardening introduced in Vista will be found in Windows 7. Windows Vista serves as a foundation for upcoming Windows operating systems (such as Windows 7 and the already released Windows Server 2008.)

Q: Are there any distinguished features of Windows 7?

A: While Microsoft is being careful at releasing details on the features of Windows 7, the released videos and screenshots show an improved Windows Explorer, WinFS storage technology (but under a different name), improved search functions (for the local system, networks and the Internet) and a revamped GUI designed by Julie Larson-Green and other
members of the team responsible for the Office 2007 ribbon interface.

Q: Will Windows 7 be released exclusively for 64-bit processors?

A: No, but it will be the last one to ship for 32-bit processors.

Q: How many people are working on Windows 7?

A: According to Microsoft, over 2000 developers and 500 managers.

Q: Will Microsoft release any Windows updates between now and Windows 7?

A: Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) was finalized and announced in May 2009.

Q: What is the Release Candidate?

A: The RC is a near-final, feature-complete look at Windows 7. For more information about the RC, please read my exhaustive review, my many screenshot galleries, and the other articles I've written about the Windows 7 RC.

Q: When does the Release Candidate expire?

A: March 1, 2010.

Q: When will the final version of Windows 7 ship?

A: Microsoft finalized Windows 7 on July 22, 2009 and will make it available to the public on October 22, 2009 via new PCs and at retail. However, different customer types will be able to get Windows 7 before that date. See my article, Windows 7 Availability, for details.

Q: How much will Windows 7 cost? Will Microsoft provide multi-PC licensing for consumers (finally)?

A: Microsoft announced its retail pricing for Windows 7 in June 2009. Please refer to my Windows 7 Pricing article for more information.

Q: Do the retail versions of Windows 7 include 32-bit or 64-bit Setup discs, or are there separate packages as there were for Windows Vista?

A: The retail versions of Windows 7 (which include Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate) come with two separate Setup discs, one of which is 32-bit, and one that is 64-bit.

Q: Can I buy an electronic version of Windows 7, download it, and burn it to DVD?

A: Yes, but only from the online Microsoft Store.

Q: Is that version 32-bit or 64-bit?

A: I'm told you'll get the choice when you download, but of course, the downloads won't be ready until October 22, 2009.

Q: Can I use the same Product Key to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7 on one PC and a 64-bit version on another?

A: No. The Product Key will be tied to the first PC on you activate.

Q: What are the virtualization rights for Windows 7? (That is, which versions are licensed for install in virtual machines by consumers?)

A: Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate can be installed in virtual environments.

Q: Can I perform a clean (full) install of Windows 7 with the Upgrade media?

A: Microsoft says yes.

Q: Does a version of Windows have to already be installed on the PC in that case?

A: I don't know. I'm still waiting for the answer to that question and/or actual Upgrade media for testing.

Q: Does that clean install with Upgrade media require the same hokey and time-consuming "double install" method that was required with Windows Vista Upgrade media?

A: I don't know. I'm still waiting for the answer to that question, but I believe it will work as it does with Windows Vista.

Q: It seems like people who spent extra on Windows Vista Ultimate should be rewarded in some way, since that product never lived up o Microsoft's promises. Why is there no promotional pricing on Windows 7 Ultimate, especially for Vista Ultimate users?

A: I don't know. (And I agree with you.)

Q: I have Windows Vista Home Premium. Do I have to get Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade, or can I purchase any Windows 7 Upgrade version?

A: As long as you qualify for Upgrade pricing (i.e. have basically any version of Windows XP or Vista), you can purchase and install any Windows 7 Upgrade version. However, you may or may not be able to perform an in-place upgrade depending on your current Windows version. A person with Windows Vista Ultimate, for example, qualifies for Windows 7 Home Premium. But they would have to perform a clean install.

Q: What is the pricing for Windows Anytime Upgrade? (The electronic upgrades that let you go from one Windows 7 product edition to another?)

A: Microsoft has not yet announced WUA pricing, sorry.

Q: Is Microsoft ever going to provide easy and cheap multi-PC licensing for Windows 7? (Similar to Apple's Mac OS X Family Pack pricing?)

A: Yes. Microsoft will offer a Windows 7 Family Pack in certain markets that offers the ability to install Windows 7 Home Premium on three PCs. The company has yet to announce pricing or availability for this offer, however.

Q: Can I buy a retail version of Windows 7 Starter and install it on my own PC?

A: No.

Q: What happened to Windows 7 Home Basic?

A: With Windows 7, the Home Basic version is only being sold in emerging markets.

Q: Will people who buy Windows Vista PCs after a certain date receive a free copy of Windows 7 too?

A: Yes. Anyone who buys a Windows Vista-based PC starting on June 26, 2009 qualifies for a free copy of Windows 7 through the Windows Upgrade Option program.