Windows 8 Availability Will Trigger the Start of the End for Windows 7

The general availability (GA) of Windows 8 will trigger the start of the end of sales for Windows 7, in accordance with the Windows Life Cycle Policy modifications announced the past week by Microsoft. Having detailed the modifications to the way in which it sells Windows, the Redmond company went on to revamp the Windows Life Cycle Policy webpage. The new site offers information on Windows Desktop License Availability, Windows Support, Windows Downgrade Rights, and License Availability Roadmap. At this point in time the software giant is not offering any details related to Windows 8, the next major version of Windows, but it is easy to see that the context also applies to the successor of Windows 7.

For FPP\Retail, Microsoft states: “We will continue to allow Retailers to sell the boxed version of the previous version of Windows for up to a year after the launch date of the new version,” adding that for OEM (both direct OEM and System Builder) “When Microsoft launches a new version of Windows, we will continue to allow OEMs to sell PCs with the previous version pre-loaded for up to two years after the launch date of the new version.”

In all fairness, Microsoft announced these changes last week. However, there are additional details which the company provided only on the Windows Life Cycle Policy. In this regard, while Windows 7 will continue to be available via retail channels 1 year after Windows 8 will be launched, and 2 years preloaded on new OEM machines, the same is not valid for Volume Licenses of the operating system.

Volume customers will only get to buy Windows 7 up to the moment Windows 8 is released. “General availability of licenses of the previous version of Windows will cease as soon as the new version is available,” the company said. Still, companies will continue to be able to access Windows 7 even after Windows 8 GA, through downgrade rights. “We will make media available for the current version as well as the previous two versions. Licenses will continue to be available through downgrade rights available in Volume Licensing programs after the end of general availability,” the software giant added.

For the time being, in terms of License Availability Roadmap, Windows Vista will continue to be sold until October 22, 2010 (Retail License Availability (end-of-sales date)) and October 22, 2011 (OEM License Availability (end-of-sales date)). The retail and OEM end of sales dates are yet to be announced as they are governed by the release of Windows 8, but could be sometime in 2013 and 2014, provided that Windows 8 will be made available in 2012.

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