Microsoft answered some questions about Windows 7. Accordingly the open Beta will be released in early 2009 and DirectX 11 is unlikely to be release together with Windows 7. In addition, PCGH has conducted an interview with Ben Basaric, Product Marketing Manager Windows,as he answers some questions about Windows 7. Here's an excerpt:

PCGH: Why will there be a 32 Bit version of Windows 7?

Ben Basaric: All over the world about 1.1 billion users use Windows Client. The majority of those users are still working with 32 Bit systems. Microsoft tries to offer the best version for every user. Therefore we will offer both versions of Windows 7 again - 32 and 64 Bit. But the future clearly belongs to 64 Bit. We do not have a definite date yet, when there will be a 64 Bit version only.

PCGH: Will Windows 7 be delivered with DirectX 11?

Ben Basaric: That is to be determined yet. I could speculate, but that wouldn't help you. But I can give a tendency: unlikely.

PCGH: Will Vista drivers work on Windows 7?

Ben Basaric: Our aim is to make any program and driver that worked on Vista compatible to Windows 7. Therefore I can answer this question with Yes. There will always be the one or the other exception, but because of this we had switched the driver model with Vista.

PCGH: When will the first public beta of windows 7 be released?

Ben Basaric: Probably in early 2009.

PCGH: Will there be a performance index in Windows 7?

Ben Basaric: Yes, there will be one. Apropos performance: The performance of Windows 7 is impressive.