How does the Windows history and future
look like ?

The Windows history and future
The name of the operating system, which Microsoft comes up with after Windows Vista, is called Windows 7, Vienna.
Windows Vienna is the codename for the new operating system. Probably gets this new operating system a different name when it will be released.

This is also done with Windows Vista. During development of Windows Vista it has as codename, Windows Longhorn.

If Microsoft keeps its plans, then this means a return to the solid name convention of the NT-series. These series were interrupted by the names Windows 2000 (NT5), Windows XP (NT5.1) and Windows Vista (NT6).

The technical details about this operating system are only based on rumors.
But in January 2007 a Danish Microsoft employee, published a (censured meanwhile) PowerPoint presentation about this operating system.

Unfortunately this presentation only promised that this operating system only gets better: the security, the self diagnoses and the self repairing capability of the system, the intuitive controls, integrated search tool for LAN, local and internet, and the support for mobile devices.
Something which is a bit more concrete are the indications that Microsoft is thinking about build-in visualization techniques and automatic software services which will go further than the updates for its own products.

Furthermore there are rumors that this operating system will use the data system Win FS and that maybe from Windows 7, Vienna, there will be brought out only 64-bit systems.

The interface will also be changed (like it is done in every new operating system). Probably it will look something like the interface of Office 2007.

Windows history and future - Service Packs for XP and Vista.

When can we expect new Service Packs for
Windows XP and for Windows Vista?

The new Service Pack for Windows XP, Service Pack 3, came out in August 2007 as a pre-beta version. This Service Pack has a size of 332 MB and could only be installed on an English version of XP.
In this Service Pack the security updates are integrated.

This Service Pack provides almost no extra functions. Only the Network Access Protection Agent is new for XP but this is also integrated already in Vista.
With this tool you can define security guidelines for computers which are in a domain and are willing to connect to the network.

Another Vista service, Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder, which is also integrated in this Service Pack, will be installed but not automatically be activated. This service searches for sources for the network overview.
The command prompt-tool 'TzChange' is also integrated in Service Pack 3 and will make it more easy to switch between different time-zones.

Furthermore is the assistant for repairing the remote desktop connections, which is also in Vista, in this Service Pack as well.

So, as you can see, Service Pack 3 doesn't provide very much more than a collection of the earlier provided security updates.

The Service Pack for Vista, Service Pack 1, will bring, near already existing patches and fixes, just a few improvements.
Near the updates it is mostly focused on improvements of the stability, reliability and the compatibility with other devices like printers.
Further can the Bitlocker from now on also encrypt partitions and will the EXFAT-file system (for USB sticks) be introduced by this Service Pack.

As soon as this Service Pack is available, it will be downloaded automatically via Windows Updates. Because the most patches and fixes are already distributed, the size of this Service Pack won't be very large.

Now, how does the windows history and future look like?
The following table shows what is going to happen in the future of Windows.

Windows 2007 until 2017

Windows history and future - Availability Windows XP
Do you like Windows XP much more then Windows Vista and do you want to buy a computer with XP installed on it instead of Vista? If so, you have to be quick because within a few days you won't be able to buy a computer with XP installed on it anymore.

In the table below you can see until when XP is available.

Windows history and future - Windows NT Support

Mainstream support: free installation support for retail licenses, optional updates and security updates.
Extended support: important security updates.

*: According to the recent plans, Vista Home Basic/Premium and Vista Ultimate may not count on extended support. Because of this the life-cycle of these Vista versions are shorter than a few XP versions.

Why this 'windows history and future' page?
This page was created to give you a clear overview on how the windows history and future looks like and to let you know until when your system can count on support from Microsoft.

This because almost everyone uses Windows and many people still use older versions of Windows, like Windows 2000. And there will be one day that your system isn't be supported anymore by Microsoft and I want to let people know when that moment comes.

So that's why this 'windows history and future' page was created, to give you an idea until when you can expect support from Microsoft and to help you choosing what to do after that.

If you use Windows XP or older at the moment and you are planning to upgrade to Windows Vista we recommend that you read our Vista version advice page to find the version of Vista which fits best with your needs so you aren't paying a lot of money for a version where you only need and use 50% of.
For example: If you don't need a complete backup tool, Media Center and Windows DVD Maker, you shouldn't choose Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Home Premium, but then Windows Vista Home Basic would probably the version for you.

So again, please get well informed about the different versions which are available and then pick the version which fits best with your needs.

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