Several reports are claiming that an extremely early version of the next iteration of Windows has already made it into the hands of a few Microsoft partners.

The code is reported to be past its first stage, called Milestone 1. Website TG Daily is suggesting the OS could be released by late 2009.

This date seems rather unlikely to us given that Windows Vista will be less than two years old at that point. However, it's possible that it could represent a target for finishing the code and shipping it out the door for testing. Despite reports of Microsoft wanting to up its game, 2010 seems a far more likely time for Windows 7 to debut.

Mind you, it depends on how fundamental the changes are. If the software giant is determined to release new OS iterations more often - perhaps with a few killer elements like each version of OS X - then perhaps 2009 is a possibility.

A while back the OS was rumoured to be codenamed Vienna, but it's now general knowledge that Windows 7 is the working title. TG Daily alleges the M1 code is available in both x86 and x64 versions and a second iteration of the code will appear in late spring.