Microsoft Corp., the world’s leading maker of software, is rumoured to release its next-generation operating system (OS) much later than it was expected originally. The reasons for the possible setback are unclear, but normally Microsoft explains its delays with necessity to meet quality bars.

“We are currently in the planning stages for Windows 7 and expect it will take approximately 3 years to develop. The specific release date will be determined once the company meets its quality bar for release,” a statement by Microsoft published at WinVistaClub web-site reads.

Early in 2007 the company indicated that it would replace Windows Vista in two or two and a half years from them. However, already in mid-2007 the world’s largest software firm said that it would take it three years to create the new code-named Vienna operating system, which official name is projected to be Windows 7.

Historically Microsoft released a new desktop operating system every two to three years, at least, this was true for Windows 95, 98, ME and XP and was not particularly true for workstation OSes – there was a four-year gap between the NT4 and 2000. However, the latest operating system – Windows Vista – shipped over five years after the XP because the company had to reassign software developers to patch the latter and release service pack 2. Perhaps, Microsoft foresees necessity for additional patches for Vista, or, perhaps, it does not expect the demand for a new OS to be high two years after the launch of Windows Vista.

“Windows Vista is being adopted by businesses at a rate that is similar to past releases. In the business market there are early, mainstream and late adopters, with the majority of businesses falling into the category of mainstream. We’re seeing positive indicators that we’re already starting to move from the early adoption phase into the mainstream, and that more and more businesses are beginning their planning and deployment of Windows Vista,” the statement by Microsoft claims.