Windows, Office, and Exchange Business Launch

Today is the official business launch of Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system, and Exchange Server 2007.

This means that as of today, businesses can get these products and start deploying them within their organization.

The consumer launch is scheduled for January 30—that's when you'll be able to go into retail stores and buy shrink-wrapped copies of Office and Windows.

You can read all about the business launch, see videos, and participate in the forums here: https://msnewday.com/

Steve Ballmer sent out mail to everyone at Microsoft commemorating today's business launch. Here's in part what he wrote:

"Eleven years ago, Microsoft launched Windows 95 and Office 95 and introduced an era of unprecedented opportunity, transforming the way people do business, share information, and communicate. Today, in New York I announced the business availability of Windows Vista, the 2007 Office System, and Exchange Server 2007. This announcement marks the beginning of the most significant launch in company history, with more than 1 billion people expected to use these products in the next decade.

"The launch of Windows Vista, the 2007 Office System, and Exchange Server 2007 is an important milestone in our company's history. The result of incredibly hard work, phenomenal perseverance, and remarkable innovation, they are the most advanced work that Microsoft has ever done. For the last three decades, Microsoft has delivered technologies that embody our belief in the power of software to change the world. Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system, and Exchange Server 2007 continue this great tradition and I want to congratulate everyone who worked on these products—thank you for your dedication and commitment to making today possible."

You can also read the external version of the mail that was posted on Microsoft.com.

Want to experience Office 2007 for yourself? Today might be a great day to try taking the new Office for a test drive.

Or, if you want to download a fully-functional trial version, those will be posted online tomorrow, December 1.