The chaps over at WinVistaClub asked Microsoft about the recent rumors of a 2009 release date for Windows 7 and got this response. Contrary to all that is being said on the net, it clearly looks like Microsoft is NOT planning to release Windows 7 in 2009. Microsoft's official response, by an Email dated 26th January, 2008, to WinVistaClub states that Windows 7 is still in the planning stage and will take approximately 3 years to develop.