Microsoft: Vista Release, Launch On Track

After significant delays and setbacks for more than a year, Microsoft said Friday it now remains on track to release Windows Vista to volume license businesses in November and provide worldwide general availability in January.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software company said it also believes it has smoothed over regulators' concerns with the European Commission and Korean officials, and launches in those geographies are expected to be on time as well.

The company made the announcement in an early morning press release on Friday.

No one is more anxious for Vista, and Office 2007, to ship than resellers and solution providers who hope the debuts will re-energize business.

Microsoft said it "agreed to make a number of changes to Vista" at the urging of the European Commission.

Earlier this month, word came from Microsoft that it would provide free or discounted upgrade coupons for system builders and OEMs during the run-up to Vista's official launch, as a means to continue sales of Windows XP-based systems until Vista is ready. The coupons will be good for upgrades done by March 15, 2007.

Microsoft's Friday announcement, though, made no mention of launch or availability of Office 2007, thought to be in near lock-step with Vista.

Barbara Darrow contributed to this report.