Microsoft will release the long-awaited business version of Vista, the latest incarnation of the Windows operating system, on 30 November. Included in the release will be the next version of Office and Exchange Server 2007.

Vista replaces XP, and for the first time Windows will come with built-in security features.

Gordon Frazer, the company’s UK managing director, says Microsoft expects a high percentage of users to upgrade to Vista.

‘We expect Vista to be the fastest adopted operating system we have ever released,’ he said. ‘Within the next year 100 million PCs will be deployed with Vista. That is a huge percentage and much higher than XP.’

Frazer says the company has consulted with the European Union on the development of Vista, to ensure that embedded security and search functions do not breach monopoly rules.

Vista boasts greater graphics capabilities, improved power management functions and a new interface.

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