Windows 7, or Windows Vienna will be the next version of Windows. According to current and scarce data available from Microsoft, the successor of Windows Vista is scheduled for availability by the end of 2009. Corporate Vice President Ben Fathi is the source of the 2009 date.

Microsoft however wants to sweep Windows 7 under the rug. "The launch of Windows Vista was an incredibly exciting moment for our customers and partners around the world, and the company is focused on the value Windows Vista will bring to people today. We are not giving official guidance to the public yet about the next version of Windows, other than that we're working on it. When we are ready, we will provide updates," stated Kevin Kutz, Director, Windows Client, responding to the speculation on the next version of the Windows operating system.

It is understandable that Microsoft does not want the spotlight to shift from Windows Vista. Revealing details about Windows 7/Vienna would only compromise Vista's position as the start of the Windows Show. However...

I was browsing today through the Vista Power Users Guide authored by Mike Halsey and something caught my eye. There is a segment dedicated to the upcoming release of Windows 7/Vienna that is entitled: "WINDOWS 7, THE MOVE TO X64."

This is an interesting perspective. Will Microsoft scrap the 32-bit operating system by 2009? The strategy that the Redmond Company has implemented with its server products certainly points in the direction of 64-bit platforms. And while architectures designed to manage 64 binary bits are the natural step in evolution, the fact of the matter is will x64 processors be a universal technology by 2009?

This is of course all speculation, as well as the fact that Microsoft actually plans to release Windows7/Vienna right on time for the holiday season in 2009. Isn't it?