InformationWeek has confirmed with Microsoft that Windows 7 will ship October 22, 2009. No word on pricing yet though.

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"I can finally confirm Windows 7 timing," the spokesperson said in an e-mail to InformationWeek, noting the Oct. 22 release date. The spokesperson also said the company is launching a program called Windows Upgrade Option that will allow customers who bought Vista-powered PCs to upgrade to Windows 7.

Such upgrade programs are generally meant to convince consumers not to hold off purchasing PCs during the time period between when a new product is announced and when it's actually available.

Microsoft plans to deliver more of the details around Windows 7's release at the Computex computer trade show Wednesday morning in Taipei. There, Steve Guggenheimer, corporate VP for Microsoft's OEM unit, will talk about the company's plans for distributing the OS during a scheduled keynote address.

Microsoft will ship several versions of Windows 7, including Starter Edition, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and, for emerging markets only, Home Basic.