November 18, 2005
The Future Of Windows
A sneak peek at Vista, Blackcomb, and beyond.
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With a brand-new iteration of Windows scheduled for next year, and two other intriguing product launches also promised, the future of Windows promises to be interesting. Here are some quick forecasts on what you can expect over the next few years.
Windows Vista
Formerly code-named Longhorn (which, rumor has it, was named after a bar at the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia, Canada), Windows Vista is currently scheduled for release in the second half of 2006. Since Windows XP is beginning to feel long in the tooth, this is a major release for Microsoft.
Key improvements in Windows Vista, Microsoft says, will include faster performance, a more powerful interface, more effective file searching, improved security, and more intuitive home networking. This release will also feature a new version of Internet Explorer. One feature that will be conspicuous in its absence is , a powerful new file storage system that Microsoft had to drop due to time constraints.
TechWeb's Scot Finnie has spent numerous hours with the most recent beta of Windows Vista, and reports that, thus far, the OS looks promising, with significantly faster boot times and improved search functionality, among other good signs. For a detailed hands-on view of the most recent Vista build, or other stories from our in-depth Vista coverage.
Longhorn Server
Scheduled for release in 2007, Windows Longhorn Server will likely be named Windows Server 2007. Microsoft has indicated that it will stick with its year-based naming scheme for these OS variants.
Longhorn Server will be the server equivalent of Windows Vista, and should add new features aimed at high-end corporate users to the improvements in the consumer-oriented version of the OS. It's also likely that when Longhorn Server ships in 2007, it will include Microsoft's new WinFS file storage system. This version of Windows Server will also include 64-bit support.
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