Dubai: Even though the "Release Candidate" version of Windows 7 was released last week, the software that is scheduled to replace Vista is already being actively tested in the GCC, according to Wilson Xavier, a regional Microsoft manager.
Since Windows 7 is available for anyone to download, Xavier says the company does not have accurate numbers for who is using it in the region, but he was willing to "guesstimate" that about 20 to 30 per cent of IT pros and early adaptor are currently using the operating system.
"One of our intentions for beta - as far as the Gulf specifically was concerned - was to make sure most of our top-tier customers and partners do test it and make sure they came back with feedback so we have real life feedback."
Even though the software has created a large amount of buzz and excitement, he says Microsoft isn't suggesting that companies begin using it in place of Vista yet. The main reason is that Microsoft doesn't provide extensive support to Windows 7 as it is still in beta version.
"Our recommendation to all the customers in enterprises and SMBs [Small and Medium Businesses] who are currently using Window's Vista is to keep encouraging them to continue the deployment," he said.
Xavier says that despite media reports that Windows 7 would be available by the year end, the company is still sticking to its original release schedule.
"It will be available three years after Windows Vista general availability, and as we speak, the plan is currently on track." That puts the release sometime in the first quarter of 2010.
Xavier does say that Windows 7 is more developed in some ways than Vista was at the same point in its development.
He estimates that Windows 7 has already achieved 99 per cent driver compatibility - the ability of a piece of hardware to work with the operating system (OS)- an improvement of between 20 and 30 per cent over Vista when that OS launched in 2007.
The RC version released last week does more than the previously released version, including a feature called Direct Access, which is designed to make remote connection to the office much easier. It also improves search capability in enterprise users, and a security feature called BitLocker, which can encrypt a computer hard drive and even flash drives
The new version will also include features that were previously only found in other versions of Windows, such as Windows Home Server. Users will now be able to stream multimedia content on their laptops from their home computers. This technology also monitors the connection and can compensate for slower connections.
However, one of the most talked about features is Window 7's XP mode, which allows users to fall back to the operating system Microsoft released in 2002. When the software is officially released, Windows 7 will be available in six different versions.
