Do you think this is most likely to happen?

[Clowgon]

Microsoft has yet to announce a release date for Windows 7, but it’s unlikely we’ll see it before late 2009. There have been rumours that Microsoft will offer a free upgrade for people who buy new Vista (http://www.which.co.uk/reviews-ns/microsoft-vista/index.jsp) PCs in the months leading up to the release (to help PC manufacturers avoid missing out on sales in this period) but that, too, is likely to be some months away.

EDIT: SORRY FOR THE DUMBNESS BUT PC'S, DOES THAT INCLUDE LAPTOPS?

[Josh-H]

They NEED it to be out before the christmas buying period. I'm pretty sure it will be.

[Recursion]

Didn't they announce it would be this year? The Release Candidate will be out soon enough.

[timROGERS]

It will probably be out this year, and I think that it has been announced that Windows 7 will be free for those who buy Vista PCs from around June until the release.

[Jahova]

Wasn't a release date from a Microsoft employee's calender leaked or somthing?

[Ardemax]

I think it was.

But they change it all the time.

I'm guessing it will be around October - December

[The Professor]

Microsoft have said lots of times that they don't have a set release date, they're aiming to get it out before the end of this year but they aren't rushing it like they did with Vista because they want it to be perfect...ish. All release dates that have been posted on the internet are pure speculation :)

As for this program, I believe the date they set is some time in April (I genuinely can't remember) for new vista computers to be eligable for the free upgrade. Aparently they did this before Vista came out too so yes I'd say its very likely to happen.