Windows Vista is an
operating system released in several variations developed by
Microsoft for use on
personal computers, including home and business
desktops,
laptops,
tablet PCs, and
media center PCs. Prior to its announcement on July 22, 2005, Windows Vista was known by its
codename "Longhorn".
Development was completed on November 8, 2006 and over the following three months it was released in stages to computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers and retail channels. On January 30, 2007 it was released worldwide
and was made available for purchase and download from Microsoft's website.
The release of Windows Vista came more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor,
Windows XP, the longest time span between successive releases of
Microsoft Windows desktop operating systems. It was succeeded by
Windows 7, which was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009 and released worldwide for retail on October 22, 2009.