Redmond (WA) - The seventh generation of Microsoft’s operating system software is scheduled for a release in the year 2010.

According to Softpedia, development of Windows 7 began on the release of Windows Vista. "We are currently in the planning stages for Windows 7 and development is scoped to three years from Windows Vista Consumer GA. The specific release date will be determined once the company meets its quality bar for release," said a Microsoft spokesperson to Softpedia.

TG Daily got a look at Windows 7 Milestone 1 earlier this year. Softpedia says Milestone 2 is expected to be done some time in the next month and a half.

When Vista was launched, it was part of Microsoft’s biggest launch event ever, but consumers have been tepid about upgrading from Windows XP. The first Service Pack for Vista was set to be available in the early part of 2008.