Microsoft has made up their minds about which features and editions are going to be included in the next Windows Vista. According to a popular and usually correct Neowin Web site, the Redmond software giant has "finalized the editions that they will be releasing mid-end of October 2006." Although packaging and related information is typically kept secret by Microsoft, Neowin claims to have sources that are "close to Microsoft."

The Neowin guys claim that the release of the next big OS will coincide with the "5 year anniversary of Windows XP." Windows XP was launched on October 25, 2001. If this information is accurate, we should all take the time and go and guess on their Web site (you can win prizes).

The confirmed options that Windows Vista will have are these;

- Windows Vista
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows Vista Business N
- Windows Vista Home Basic
- Windows Vista Home Basic N
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- Windows Vista Small Business
- Windows Vista Ultimate

They've added that "Microsoft is clearly adhering to the European Commissions ruling that an unbundled version of Windows (without Windows Media Player) needs to be available to all OEMs and retail outlets hence forth." Neowin isn't completely sure about the specifics of each version, since those things haven't been finalized as of yet.

A Microsoft representative, meanwhile, said Monday that the company does not comment on rumors and speculation.

According to Bink.nu, the list is incorrect. Although both Web sites typically give good information, it seems as though they are contradicting each other on this latest debocle (Notice that Bink.nu only said the list is not accurate, not the release date).