WINDOWS 7 RELEASED TO MANUFACTURERS

Microsoft has released Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 to manufacturers.

The software will be tested by hardware suppliers including Dell and HP. It remains on schedule to be made available to the public on 22 October.

Microsoft said the release is the culmination of a rigorous engineering project. Microsoft is hoping businesses that were unhappy with their existing applications being incompatible with Windows Vista, will move to Windows 7, which should be more compatible.