Microsoft Already Starting on Windows 8

News
By Tuan An Nguyen
published

There's no doubt that many enthusiasts are waiting to see what the final version of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system will look like when shipped.

How will Windows 7 perform? Will it be faster and more stable than Vista? Will it address all of Vista's shortcomings? Of course, we all know that Windows 7 is an evolution on Vista. Despite lingering doubts, those who have tried the public beta of Windows 7 already claim that it's one of Microsoft's best operating systems yet.

That's a great thing to hear because Microsoft is actually already starting to work on Windows 8.

According to a job posting on Microsoft's site, the company is starting to put its engineering team together for designing the successor to Windows 7. The job posting details of a storage related position with focus in the enterprise:

"For the upcoming version of Windows, new critical features are being worked on including cluster support and support for one way replication. The core engine is also being reworked to provide dramatic performance improvements. We will also soon be starting major improvements for Windows 8 where we will be including innovative features which will revolutionize file access in branch offices."

If you've got what it takes to be the "Lead Software Development Engineer in Test," apply right here. Or you can sit back and wait to see how Windows  8 will develop.

Tuan An Nguyen
63 Comments Comment from the forums
  • kyeana
    I think they are doing this just because they don't want people getting too comfortable with one OS, like with what happened to XP.

    Not that i will complain. I tend to enjoy shiny new things
    Reply
  • Mr_Man
    One small complaint: I'm pretty sure Windows 7 isn't the 7th edition of Windows (1.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista make 8 already, not counting other point releases or Server/mobile types), so the next one will not necessarily be Windows 8.
    Reply
  • ailgatrat
    Nope...you start planning the next version as soon as the newest version hits the field. Depending on how long all the innovation takes to develop will more than likely determine how long windows 7 will stay around. Doesn't matter which OS you like, they all have to innovate and improve over what's currently available, or noone will want it. Time for some COD5! :)
    Reply
  • ailgatrat
    Mr_ManOne small complaint: I'm pretty sure Windows 7 isn't the 7th edition of Windows (1.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista make 8 already, not counting other point releases or Server/mobile types), so the next one will not necessarily be Windows 8.Hah! Don't forget Windows 3.0, NT, etc!! Don't have a clue where they came up with their numbering scheme.
    Reply
  • salsoolo
    man they should give it a rest for like 1 year between os's :D
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    Mr_ManOne small complaint: I'm pretty sure Windows 7 isn't the 7th edition of Windows (1.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista make 8 already, not counting other point releases or Server/mobile types), so the next one will not necessarily be Windows 8.
    And Intel's Core i7 isn't exactly the 7th generation either, but they got away with the naming ;)

    It should be...Core i12! :D (486 = 4, Pentium = 5, Pentium 2 = 6, Pentium 3 = 7, Pentium 4 = 8, Pentium D = 9, Core = 10, Core 2 = 11, Core i7 = 12)
    Reply
  • solymnar
    Tuan NguyenThat's a great thing to hear because Microsoft is actually already starting to work on Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
    Fixed. =D
    Reply
  • deltatux
    eddieroolzAnd Intel's Core i7 isn't exactly the 7th generation either, but they got away with the naming It should be...Core i12! (486 = 4, Pentium = 5, Pentium 2 = 6, Pentium 3 = 7, Pentium 4 = 8, Pentium D = 9, Core = 10, Core 2 = 11, Core i7 = 12)
    Actually, Pentium D and Core are part of the Netburst architecture, so it'll be i886 while Core 2 is i986 and Core i7 would be i1086 if we were to put it this way.

    Windows Vista is technically Windows NT 6.0 and Windows 7 is NT 6.1. Windows 2000 was Windows NT 5.0, Windows XP was Windows NT 5.1 and Windows 2003 was Windows NT 5.2.

    So, that's how the numbering kind of came to Windows 7. However, I would rather they just call it Windows 6 just because it's NT6.1 not 7.0.

    Plus, even when Windows 7 comes out, 95% I'm sticking to Windows Server 2008 because it works, I pretty much like it and I hate the new taskbar and having transparency on the window border even when maximized. Windows 7 doesn't look like much of a step forward. Not worth the money to invest (and won't use it on any of my computers if my college ends up giving the license to me for free).
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    deltatuxActually, Pentium D and Core are part of the Netburst architecture, so it'll be i886 while Core 2 is i986 and Core i7 would be i1086 if we were to put it this way.
    Shhhh, you can't reveal Intel's secrets!
    Reply
  • cryogenic
    solymnarTuan NguyenThat's a great thing to hear because Microsoft is actually already starting to work on Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Fixed. =D
    Since when rewriting the OS core is called a service pack?


    > The core engine is also being reworked to provide dramatic performance improvements

    Reply