Microsoft opens door to new-look Windows

MICROSOFT has revealed the next version of its Windows software, and announced it is giving a test version away free.

The software - which experts say is critical to the future of the company - aims to take on Apple, which has enjoyed huge sales of its Macintosh computers.

It will allow users to control their computers using their finger on a touch sensitive screen, rather than with a keyboard and mouse.

The launch comes two years after Microsoft released the last major upgrade, Vista, which was branded a disaster by many.

Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, who took over last year from founder Bill Gates, unveiled Windows 7 at a computer show in Las Vegas and announced a free "beta" version was available for download.

The company pledged Windows 7 would be faster and less likely to crash. It has signed up Facebook and photo sharing site Flickr, so users can easily update their status or upload pictures using on-screen menus rather than having to visit a website.

The software will also work with the latest mini-notebooks, known as webbooks. John Curran, head of Windows at Microsoft UK, said: "We have been very careful to build Windows 7 on top of Vista so that people's software and peripherals like printers will work without any problems."

Experts highlighted the importance of the software to Microsoft. Tom Royal, of Computeractive magazine, said: "Windows 7 is absolutely critical. The company had a huge PR disaster when it launched Vista, and on day one the software simply didn't work very well.

"Admittedly the company has since addressed most of the issues, but it still has to win back a lot of users, and it is absolutely crucial that Windows 7 works perfectly right from the day it is released."

The "beta" test version not the final one and Microsoft has not committed to a release date but it is expected to be available this year.

Mr Royal said Apple's success had caused problems for the Seattle computer giant. "Apple has really targeted Microsoft in its advertising, positioning itself as a computer that 'just works'. I think that has really hurt Microsoft, and Apple sales, particularly for laptops, are doing better than ever."

Touchscreen technology has been available for at least three years but has so far failed to take off.