Hi there, Mike Nash here.
For me, one of the most exciting times in the release of a new product is right before we show it to the world for the first time. And that time is right now.

In a few weeks we are going to be talking about the details of this release at the PDC and at WinHEC. We will be sharing a pre-beta "developer only release" with attendees of both shows and giving them the first broad in-depth look at what we've been up to. I can't wait for them to see it.

And, as you probably know, since we began development of the next version of the Windows client operating system we have been referring to it by a codename, "Windows 7." But now is a good time to announce that we've decided to officially call the next version of Windows, "Windows 7."

While I know there have been a few cases at Microsoft when the codename of a product was used for the final release, I am pretty sure that this is a first for Windows. You might wonder about the decision.

The decision to use the name Windows 7 is about simplicity. Over the years, we have taken different approaches to naming Windows. We've used version numbers like Windows 3.11, or dates like Windows 98, or "aspirational" monikers like Windows XP or Windows Vista. And since we do not ship new versions of Windows every year, using a date did not make sense. Likewise, coming up with an all-new "aspirational" name does not do justice to what we are trying to achieve, which is to stay firmly rooted in our aspirations for Windows Vista, while evolving and refining the substantial investments in platform technology in Windows Vista into the next generation of Windows.

Simply put, this is the seventh release of Windows, so therefore "Windows 7" just makes sense.
We are very excited about the opportunity to tell you more about Windows 7 in the coming weeks, and show you how we have continued to build on investments begun in Windows Vista to deliver on the next release of the Windows operating system.

I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks and months.

--Mike

Source:- http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/10/13/introducing-windows-7.aspx


See also: Windows Vista Team Blog : Why 7?

And on another note,soon to be released,Vista Service Pack 2.Although no official date yet:

Information about Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Originally Posted by Nez

And on another note,soon to be released,Vista Service Pack 2.Although no official date yet:

Information about Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Very Interesting Find there Nez...It means they have started -Internal- beta testing of Vista SP2

The only reason that KB exists is because SP2 is referencing that article in their SP2 code...

(Revision:2.1)

I kind of like the name "Windows 7" plain and simple and to the point!
Interesting about SP2 also.

@z3r010, you may not have to change the name of the new forum after all.

Thank you both.












Later Ted

Ted the name has already changed to www.sevenforums.com

Originally Posted by SCSIraidGURU

Will it have a direct upgrade to Windows 7 x64 from Vista x64 Ultimate?

It should do

Originally Posted by z3r010

Simply put, this is the seventh release of Windows, so therefore "Windows 7" just makes sense.

I can't stop laughing at their logic... In the end it boils down to this;

"We named nearly all our windowsversions differently, so the logical thing is to stick with the tradition." That's why it makes sense...

Calling Windows NT Windows NT just made sense too, it was just a bit more silly.