Microsoft has announced that it will release a beta version of the Windows 7 operating system this week. Windows 7 is the scheduled replacement for Vista, but consumers are somewhat wary of what the new OS will offer. Windows 7 is built on Vista, and some consumers fear that it will contain the same features that made Vista unattractive. To win back its customer base, one key complaint that the new release must resolve is the availability of software drivers.

Windows 7: Fewer Interruptions

One feature Windows 7 plans to deliver is fewer alert interrupts, known as User Account Control messages. These windows pop up when the user does something that could result in data loss or a security breach. Microsoft researchers found that the system provided so many interrupts that users frequently approved every request, including those that would introduce malware onto the computer.
The new version of Windows promises about a one-third reduction in the number of system interrupts. Although the company has not confirmed a full set of features available in the new release candidate, some analysts speculate that Microsoft will add virtualization capabilities to Windows 7 and improve the overall user interface.

An early spring release seems to indicate that the latest version of Windows will indeed make it to store shelves, perhaps even in time to catch the legions of students returning to their classrooms in the Fall. One major concern of Microsoft is finding a way to offset the impact of netbook sales, those microlaptops that have recently hit the market. These miniature laptops also come with a miniature price, meaning that Microsoft’s cut of a PC laptop sale is reduced.

Last week, Microsoft reported a decline in sales for the first time in 23 years, and announced that revenues from the company’s servers and tools products bested its operating system client revenues for the first time ever. While electronics sales are generally up, Microsoft is taking a hit on server sales and is realizing lower revenues as consumers look for less expensive computing options. In addition, fewer PCs were shipped in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period one year ago.

A fall public release date for Windows 7 is assumed, based on licensing changes that Microsoft is making for Windows XP and Vista, but the company has not yet announced an official product launch date. If severe problems are discovered in Thursday’s release candidate, the launch date could be pushed back by weeks or months.

Photo Credit: Logo courtesy of Microsoft