Microsoft Sets 2006 Target Date for Windows "Longhorn" Availability

HostReview.com
Thursday, August 26, 2004; 12:00 AM

August 24, 2004 - (HostReview.com) - Microsoft Corp. today announced it will target broad availability of the Windows® client operating system code-named "Longhorn" in 2006, and make key elements of the Windows WinFXTM developer platform in "Longhorn" available for Windows XP and Windows ServerTM 2003.

"Getting 'Longhorn' to customers in 2006 will provide important advances in performance, security and reliability, and will help accelerate the creation of exciting new applications by developers across the industry," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software. 

Microsoft will deliver a Windows storage subsystem, code-named "WinFS," after the "Longhorn" release. The new storage system provides advanced data organization and management capabilities and will be in beta testing when the "Longhorn" client becomes available.

"We've heard loud and clear from customers that they want improved productivity, easier deployment, increased reliability and enhanced security, as well as the many innovations we've been working on. We've had to make some trade-offs to deliver the features corporate customers, consumers and OEMs are asking for in a reasonable time frame," said Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Platforms Group at Microsoft. "Our long-term vision for the Windows platform remains the same."

"The announcements Microsoft is making today will accelerate our adoption of 'Longhorn.' We expect to see significant business benefits from improving productivity, higher security and the overall focus on fundamentals," said Jeff Truax, director of IT for Frontier Airlines Inc.

At a meeting today with several hundred of the company's top developer evangelists from around the world, Microsoft also announced that the Windows WinFX developer technologies, including the new presentation subsystem code-named "Avalon" and the new communication subsystem code-named Indigo, will be made available for Microsoft® Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 in 2006.

"Indigo" is a new approach to building and running connected systems built from the ground up around a Web services-oriented architecture. The advanced Web services support in "Indigo" will enable more secure, reliable and transacted messaging and greater interoperability.

Today's announcements relate only to the "Longhorn" client operating system. Anticipated availability for the Windows "Longhorn" Server operating system continues to be 2007.