Microsoft Windows 7 Public Beta 1

Microsoft on Wednesday announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that it would be releasing Windows 7 to programmers. On Friday they said they would release the same version to consumers who were willing to give the new operating system a try on their computers. Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said at the Consumer Electronic Show, "We are on track to deliver the best Windows ever. Windows will remain the center of people's technological solar system."

"Microsoft is changing what Windows is," he continued. Steve said that Windows 7 will be the "best" version yet. Microsoft is on track with its Seven development, "To get it right and to get it ready." He went on and stated that "Windows 7 is definitely a big step forward in user interface, simplicity, the integration of touch, better integration of handwriting... We focused on the basics: performance, reliability, speed, power management."