Microsoft may choose never to release its long-overdue project WinFS, following its removal from the next version of Windows, according to analysts Gartner.

The recent announcement that WinFS would not debut in Longhorn after all makes Longhorn look increasingly like a product intended to simply fill in a gap in the schedule, Gartner said in a research note.

However, the firm is sticking with its recommendation that companies standardise on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), so that they have a choice to shift to Longhorn if it turns out to be worthwhile.

Along with delivering Longhorn in the second half of 2006, Microsoft is releasing parts of Longhorn's WinFX developer interface, which will give Windows XP compatibility with Longhorn's Indigo middleware subsystem and Avalon user interface graphics subsystem. Analysts have questioned what the difference will be between Longhorn and Windows XP with WinFX.

The WinFX move will help boost the installed base for Longhorn-compatible applications long before Longhorn has a significant market share, according to Gartner, and will also allow companies to stick with Windows XP for longer.

"Most companies will run some Windows XP through 2011," Gartner said. "Most Windows servers in 2010 will still run Windows 2003 Server."
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Source : ComputerWeekly

quote:

... Analysts have questioned what the difference will be between Longhorn and Windows XP with WinFX.

The difference is indeed in the api. Longhorn will be allegedly net based!

(in reply to WinThusiast)

could you briefly elaborate as to what api means and if longhorn is net based what is xp based. is net based good?

(in reply to sp)