Further clues narrow Windows 7 release date speculation to November 2009

Just when we think we are one step closer to figuring out the release date of Windows 7, another new rumor starts floating around again. Except this time, the rumor comes from Long Zheng who get a nod on the rumor by an unnamed source at Microsoft.

As quoted from the WinHEC website,

…there is not another WinHEC planned before Windows 7 is released.

Then if you take a look over at the Wikipedia entry for WinHEC, you will know that WinHEC is an annual software and hardware developer trade show. You might also have noticed that previous WinHEC events have taken place much earlier. We already know by now that Windows 7 will be released in the second half of 2009 after Jerry Shen (probably) said more than he’d like to in an interview.

After putting the clues together, Zheng suspects that October will be the month when Windows 7 is released to manufacturing. Then, retail release would follow about a month later, leading to a late November release.

With Ballmer saying that they are “on track” with the project, there is no reason to believe the OS may be released a bit earlier.

Microsoft is in a rush to push Windows 7 out after Vista fell short of expectations. With each passing day, Apple is gaining more and more market share, and Microsoft is scared. Better get moving guys.

Update: WinHEC 2009 is to take play in May 2009. We now know Windows 7 is scheduled for release after this date.

Related posts:

1. Windows 7 Rumor Roundup – September/October 2009 release?
2. Acer confirms Windows 7 Release Date: October 23
3. The Windows 7 RC/RTM release date guessing game… who’s right?