Microsoft Talk

A trial version of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 7 operating system has leaked to the Internet. The blogosphere is buzzing about several sites where tech enthusiasts can download the beta Build 7000 version of the operating system.

Specifically, the operating system can be found on the Pirate Bay BitTorrent site, and it has been downloaded thousands of times. A second BitTorrent site, Mininova, also has a beta version of Windows 7.

Microsoft wasn’t immediately available for comment, but the company had not planned to officially release beta copies of Windows 7 until the MSDN conference in January. A final version of the post-Vista OS is scheduled for release in late 2009 or early 2010.

Building Publicity

A software build leaked from a company is no big deal, according to Michael Gartenberg, vice president of mobile strategy for Jupitermedia. Nor is it the first time Windows 7 has leaked from Microsoft’s testing pool. Last October, just hours after Microsoft released the alpha edition at its Professional Developers Conference, the software showed up on the Internet.

Microsoft may not be too upset about the leaks. Gartenberg said having so many journalists and bloggers writing about the Windows 7 posting is actually good for Microsoft as it tries to overcome negative Vista publicity.

“Microsoft should be pleased that this build is getting as much attention as it has, because when people stop talking about your products is when you have a problem,” Gartenberg said. “What’s even more gratifying for Microsoft is it seems most people who are using this leaked software seem to be fairly impressed with its capabilities and performance, which bodes pretty well for Windows 7 going forward.”

Focusing Beyond Vista

As Gartenberg sees it, Vista may be the most successful product deemed a failure by observers. Microsoft spent millions on a campaign to realign consumer perceptions about the controversial operating system.

“The Vista brand was something Microsoft needed to get past,” Gartenberg said. “While the product itself clearly can be salvaged in the guise of Windows, the Vista brand wasn’t doing anything for Microsoft and the sooner they can get past that and get people focused on the Windows brand and the Windows 7 message, the better.”

Even if Windows 7 doesn’t turn out to offer dramatic updates, getting attention about the next generation of Microsoft’s Windows operating system can only help, Gartenberg said. Based on Build 7000, he said it’s possible that Windows 7 could make its market debut in time for the 2009 holiday season.

“Expect to hear much more formal news about Windows 7 at the Consumer Electronics Show next week and into next year as Microsoft tries to get the market away from Vista and the Vista message and more onto the overall Windows message,” Gartenberg said.