Microsoft changes Windows plans

Microsoft is changing gears on a number of plans it has for its Windowsfamily of operating systems, including adding a migration path from Windows3.1 to Windows 98, and pushing back the release of Windows NT 5.0.For a few months now, Microsoft has maintained that developers wouldreceive the first NT 5.0 later this month at its Professional DevelopersConference in San Diego. While developers will indeed receive a build ofNT 5.0, it will be far from beta quality. In fact, if it's considered toobuggy for release, developers may not even receive that.

"We are certain we will be able to meet our 1997 milestone for a beta,"said Enzo Schiano, an NT product manager at Microsoft. "Whether that’s thePDC or not is something we’re not discussing at this time."

With the release of Windows NT 5.0 slipping yet again, Microsoft has movedup its projected release date for a Windows 3.1-to-98 migration tool. Thecompany is now committing to releasing the tool within 90 days of Windows98's release, sometime in the first quarter of 1998.

"We've had a lot of customer feedback about a 3.1 upgrade. There’s been alot of concern that there will be one," said Stacey Breyfogle, a Windowsproduct manager. "We’re working now on the delta between the productrelease and when the Windows 3.1 upgrade will ship. It will be threemonths.