CRNTech: Seven potential obstacles to Windows 7 bliss

Microsoft says it learned from Vista

It takes guts to admit when you're wrong. Microsoft did just that in acknowledging that it dropped the ball with Vista by not getting hardware and software partners involved early enough with Vista testing. Microsoft also admitted that it got carried away by adding too many features to Vista and not paying enough attention to deadlines.

Why, then, are Microsoft's Vista mea culpas an obstacle to Windows 7? Microsoft may have confessed to its Vista missteps, but when a company can bring its kind of marketing might to bear, it's worth questioning whether it's simply sending the message that it thinks customers want to hear.

Let's not forget that there are plenty of executives inside Microsoft who still believe that Vista's problems had more to do with marketing than with technological shortcomings. Microsoft fought long and hard and spent vast sums in its efforts to portray Vista as the unfortunate victim of negative early perceptions. Last year's Project Mojave was one particularly telling example of the lengths to which Microsoft was willing to go to prove this point. And does anyone remember Vista Capable?

Microsoft played the victim card with Vista as long as it could, but as soon as it revealed plans for Windows 7, Microsoft's message changed to one of contrition. But Microsoft doesn't see itself as a learner of lessons, but rather, as the one who teaches them.

Windows 7 may end up being the greatest version of Windows ever, but don't think for a minute that Microsoft isn't using the fact that Vista couldn't have been any worse to convince people to give Windows 7 a shot.