Windows 7

Is your IT organization ready for Windows 7? You're running out of time. Microsoft will ship the new version of Windows on Oct. 22.

On October 12, Microsoft provided system builders with the Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) tools and related documentation they need to preload and customize Windows 7 on multiple new PCs.

The launch of Windows 7 on October 22 is unlikely to cause any significant damage to Mac sales, according to Wall Street analyst Brian Marshall of Broadpoint AmTech.

Microsoft has signed a deal with Fox to sponsor a variety show produced by "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane. The special show, named "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show", will air on November 8 in the US.

During Intel's earnings conference call on Tuesday, CEO Paul Otellini talked about the growth of notebook PCs versus Netbooks, and Windows 7 adoption in business, among other topics.

Thousands of Microsoft employees have begun hosting Windows 7 Launch Parties this week. I had the pleasure of attending one last night. Microsoft employees have been given the opportunity to do “preview” Launch Parties before October 22nd to show off Windows 7 to their friends and family (public Windows 7 Launch Parties officially kick off on October 22nd).

The Professional Developers Conference (PDC) is the one event that all developers who use any Microsoft technologies must attend at least once in their professional careers. It’s the flagship event for developers, offering the most comprehensive, future-looking, technically deep, densely-packed set of sessions from Microsoft speakers you can find anywhere. This year’s PDC is no exception and you can expect it to be a very exciting event.

This week in Microsoft, we covered 128-bit support possibly coming to Windows 8 and Windows 9, Windows 7, Windows Mobile 6.5, Bill Gates, Office 2010 Starter, Microsoft MVP status, Windows Live Hotmail, the EU, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

I’m getting a lot of questions from readers about upgrading to Windows 7. Here are your top questions answered.