Windows.next

[Marios]

Whats in store for the next Windows?

One of the great (or maybe not so great) things of being at Microsoft is that every other person wants to ask you why Windows works the way it does. Since I'm part of the Windows update team I get asked even more why does my machnie reboot everytime there is an update and why are there so many updates. So naturally once Windows 7 shipped, my friends, neighbours, relatives, and whoever else you can imagine started asking me So whats next?

Folks started asking me whats in Windows 8 - and the first thing I have to say is that I resonate Steven Sinofsky's interview on who said we're calling it Windows 8? I agree with Steven that till things are baked there is no point floating ideas since it leaves people frustrated when things don't turn out the way they expected. The Windows team promised to deliver a smarter, faster and more user friendly OS with Windows 7 and they delivered just that - the latest quaterly results of Microsoft are a clear indication that Windows 7 has been a success and customers got what Microsoft had promised them! The plan is to use a similar approach for the next version of Windows and till things are finalized you're not going to get a "marketing" name from us

So how am I referring to the next version of Windows without saying that many words - well simple - Windows.next This is definitely not the official version but a version that is becoming common along my circle. So what are our plans for this next version...

The minimum that folks can take for granted is that the next version will be something completly different from what folks usually expect of Windows - I am simply impressed with the process that Steven has setup to listen to our customers needs and wants and get a team together than can make it happen. To actually bring together dozens and dozens of teams across Microsoft to come up with a vision for Windows.next is a process that is surreal! The themes that have been floated truly reflect what people have been looking for years and it will change the way people think about PCs and the way they use them. It is the future of PCs...

Thats about it for this post for the time being - I know I'm not sharing much at this point but right now I can't as we work towards finalizing that vision. Feel free to post your comments on what you think Windows.net should be like!

And the best prediction about Windows.next?

I vote for a virtual machine

Prediction
By borowki2 on 2/11/2010

When programmers are excited about something, usually it's an architectural change that brings zero benefit to the end-user. My guess is that they're going to move two-decades' worth of Win32 stuff into a virtual machine, allowing the new OS to be legacy-free. From a MS programmer's POV this is going to be great, but I expect end users will end up with all of grief associated with Terminal Service.

[Otis11]

IDK about the VM, but I'd put my money on ARM processor support and OS level GPGPU.

ARM is trying to enter the netbook industry, and has not rulled out the notebook industry... and this would be a major win for ARM, and a smart strategy for MS...

Also, the GPGPU integrated at the OS level would allow for "the smooth transition of workload between the CPU and GPU for both performance and power management purposes"

[Glow9]

wow how often are they going to be putting out new versions of windows now?

[Buckeye]

wow how often are they going to be putting out new versions of windows now?

Yes and just about everytime they do we have to upgrade our apps that we use all the time and often they charge for that upgrade.

[[XC] gomeler]

wow how often are they going to be putting out new versions of windows now?

Just because they are talking about the next revision doesn't mean it is coming out next month

If you had this same attitude about hardware then you'd have a hissy fit. WHAT?! They are talking about Sandy Bridge already!

[Glow9]

Just because they are talking about the next revision doesn't mean it is coming out next month

If you had this same attitude about hardware then you'd have a hissy fit. WHAT?! They are talking about Sandy Bridge already!

If your gonna try to increase your e-penis why not actually make some sense here. If I had the same attitude about hardware, yet I don't... so don't be rolling your eyes like you made some amazing point.

There are plenty of people on here still using XP, lets face it most users still are using XP. So my attitude towards operating systems seems to be quite relevant.

Why not try to make another point without sounding like your average internet forum dic.

[[XC] gomeler]

If your gonna try to increase your e-penis why not actually make some sense here. If I had the same attitude about hardware, yet I don't... so don't be rolling your eyes like you made some amazing point.

There are plenty of people on here still using XP, lets face it most users still are using XP. So my attitude towards operating systems seems to be quite relevant.

Why not try to make another point without sounding like your average internet forum dic.

Windows XP was a fluke. Windows 3.0 in 1990, 3.1 in 1992, Windows 95 in 1995, Windows 98 in 1998, Windows ME in 2000, Windows XP in 2001, and then a HUGE wait till Windows Vista in 2007, then Windows 7 in 2009. Notice a trend? Every 2-3 years there is a new release of Windows EXCEPT after XP due to the mess that was Windows Vista(Wikipedia Link). So before you call me a do a little research and get used to a ~2 year product cycle.

I know you'll walk away from this thinking I'm a , but you just forgot that prior to Windows XP Microsoft had a nice ~2 year product cycle and I bluntly reminded you. Don't complain about progress.

Oh, and my e-penis is gigantic.. but thanks for caring

edit: all those dancing banana's reminded me I should offer some sort of distraction to temper the rage that surely will ensue. I invite you to listen to It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!! with me.

[zalbard]

Every 2-3 years there is a new release of Windows EXCEPT after XP due to the mess that was Windows Vista(Wikipedia Link).

It's not just that. XP is still pretty damn awesome still. There are just 2 issues: 1) no DX10 (artificially created selling point for Vista) and 2) not such shiny looks not everyone likes anyway.

[damha]

It's not just that. XP is still pretty damn awesome still. There are just 2 issues: 1) no DX10 (artificially created selling point for Vista) and 2) not such shiny looks not everyone likes anyway.

When I use an Windows XP machine now I feel like I am back in the stone age.

The minor improvements of even Vista are starting to set in, and some things you start to appreciate. Windows 7 makes that experience even better.

Can't make any predictions about the next iteration of Windows, my guess would be improvements in launch times, program development, and obviously ease of use.

[[XC] Lead Head]

Don't see too much of an issue with the VM idea. It'd probably be very similar how OSX boots up OS9 in a virtual environment to run old apps

[Bobsama]

When I use an Windows XP machine now I feel like I am back in the stone age.

The minor improvements of even Vista are starting to set in, and some things you start to appreciate. Windows 7 makes that experience even better.

Can't make any predictions about the next iteration of Windows, my guess would be improvements in launch times, program development, and obviously ease of use.

Searching speeds to the point that it's faster to press Windows and type "Word" or "Excel" or "Calc" or any number of other things... that's the reason I can never go back to Windows XP.

[god_43]

what is windows xp???







jk

[Mats]

Windows 8 is planned for 2012, and while it may take more time than that to launch it, it won't show up any sooner.

3 years after W7 sounds pretty normal to me..

[labs23]

Windows 8 is planned for 2012, and while it may take more time than that to launch it, it won't show up any sooner.

3 years after W7 sounds pretty normal to me..

+1,

And even if it would be released by that time, its up to the consumers to jump right in, which relies on how Windows.Next performs during its beta.
If this is gonna be good(better than Windows 7 - it should be), then I might kiss my 7 goodbye. Otherwise, I'll have to keep my 7 a lot longer.

[BeepBeep2]

Searching speeds to the point that it's faster to press Windows and type "Word" or "Excel" or "Calc" or any number of other things... that's the reason I can never go back to Windows XP.

huh?

As long as your hard drive is fast enough the Vista search runs just as fast as the Win7 search IMO...the XP search (Yes, it's downloadable) runs good too. They all recieve the same updates.

[[XC] Lead Head]

huh?

As long as your hard drive is fast enough the Vista search runs just as fast as the Win7 search IMO...the XP search (Yes, it's downloadable) runs good too. They all recieve the same updates.

Hes talking about the 7 (Vista too?) Search Programs and Files bar in the start menu.

That is probably my favorite feature of 7, just type in the program name, you don't even have to spell it completely right and it will load it right up or show you what program it thinks you want to load

[god_43]

Hes talking about the 7 (Vista too?) Search Programs and Files bar in the start menu.

That is probably my favorite feature of 7, just type in the program name, you don't even have to spell it completely right and it will load it right up or show you what program it thinks you want to load

yes vista has had this since its inception. so i have been enjoying this feature since 2006/2007!

[papatsonis]

you all seem to forget the windows search 4.0 which is downloadabvle as beepbeep2 mentioned which is exact the same thing in just different eye-candy..

[randomizer]

I reckon they'll change out the GUI again and call it a software revolution.

[IFMU]

Why not try to make another point without sounding like your average internet forum dic.

Lets chill the attitude here.

[ajaidev]

I want ARM and MIPS support.

I am very angry at Microsoft for not supporting Win CE as much as they should, i mean x86 is good but i feel ARM in terms of programming ability is much better.

[ElSel10]

I would put money on there not being a VM, as nice at it would be.

[WaterFlex]

I don`t like the current intel and microsoft name generation: Windows 7, Windows 8, Intel I3,I5 and etc.

[Marios]

I would put money on there not being a VM, as nice at it would be.

Well, who knows ... But it's fun trying to speculate.
All those knowledgeable ppl here at XS have the ability to speculate right most of the time.
So it's interesting to hear from you.

What else might be "completely different" and unexpected that fulfills the most requested capabilities?

... the next version will be something completely different from what folks usually expect of Windows...
The themes that have been floated truly reflect what people have been looking for years and it will change the way people think about PCs and the way they use them. It is the future of PCs...

[clo007]

I reckon they'll change out the GUI again and call it a software revolution.

Kinda like apple and all it's revolutionary products?