On 2nd June 2009 it was stated by Microsoft that Windows 7 will be in the stores and pre-loaded on new computers on 22nd October 2009.

This is a good move on Microsoft’s part; as the sales pace and availability of product will be going at full-tilt by the holiday season. This time they get to cash in on the buying bonanza; such that it might be in these uncertain economic times.

According to a company spokeswoman; Microsoft will be offering discounted upgrades to Windows 7 from Vista to customers who buy a new PC from July 1st 2009, in a program which they’ve named "Windows Upgrade Option".

It’s great to know when this gem of an operating system will RTM. It’ll be interesting to note any further changes they make when compared to the RC1 release; which was released in May.

This is exciting news to me. Microsoft have leaned over backwards to give their customers what they want as far as this new product is concerned; and it’ll be good to see their efforts come to fruition.

The big question is, no matter how good a reception Windows 7 gets; how much lasting harm has Vista done to Microsoft, and how long will it take to recover and eradicate the deficit in confidence that their biggest blunder to date has caused?

What do you think?