Next Windows version name finalized, prepare for Windows 7

Mike Nash has posted a blog discussing the decision to make the next version of Windows name officially Windows 7. This is one of a few rare instances where the Windows codename becomes the same as the final release. For those who are wondering what the other releases are that had the same codename and final name, they are (Windows) Millennium and Singularity.

Nash has written a segment about why they have decided to go with the Windows 7 name.

“The decision to use the name Windows 7 is about simplicity. Over the years, we have taken different approaches to naming Windows.  We’ve used version numbers like Windows 3.11, or dates like Windows 98, or “aspirational” monikers like Windows XP or Windows Vista.  And since we do not ship new versions of Windows every year, using a date did not make sense.  Likewise, coming up with an all-new “aspirational” name does not do justice to what we are trying to achieve, which is to stay firmly rooted in our aspirations for Windows Vista, while evolving and refining the substantial investments in platform technology in Windows Vista into the next generation of Windows.

Simply put, this is the seventh release of Windows, so therefore “Windows 7″ just makes sense.”

We’re all looking forward to the release of Windows 7!