Microsoft releases Windows 7 to the world today as the US software giant tries to regain its stride after an embarrassing stumble with the previous generation operating system Vista.
While computer users may not give much thought to operating systems that serve as the brains of their machines, the programmes are at the heart of Microsoft's global software empire. Microsoft operating systems run more than 90% of the world's computers.
Importantly for Microsoft, versions of its popular programmes such as Office, Outlook and Excel evolve to work better with successive Windows releases.
Winning users of new Windows systems translates into increased sales of other packaged software for the Washington-based company.
But Vista's dismal reception in the market broke Microsoft's rhythm regarding hooking people on upgraded software. Computer users held firm to Windows XP, shunning much-maligned Vista.
Microsoft employs about 2,000 people here and Microsoft Ireland CEO Paul Rellis said that employees in Microsoft Ireland played a huge role in developing Windows 7 and delivering it to customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The Irish involvement included developing key features like elements of media centre and biometric support in the company's European Development Centre. Mr Rellis said that the European Development Centre was also responsbile for a million copies of Windows 7 reaching over 25,000 retail stores in over 42 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Microsoft apparently learned a lesson from Vista and worked closely with computer makers, users and software developers while crafting Windows 7. More than eight million people have dabbled with Windows 7 since Microsoft began a beta test phase in January, according to Parri Munsell, director of consumer product management for the Windows client group.
Early reviews praise Windows 7 for being everything Vista should have been. Windows 7 features winning raves include enabling computers, televisions, radios, digital picture frames and other 'smart' devices in homes to talk to each other.
Windows 7 also lets people use PCs to record television programmes and then watch shows on demand at any Internet-linked computer using Microsoft's Live service.
Touch-screen capabilities built into Windows 7 should give birth to monitors that further blur lines between televisions and PCs.
Analysts also said that Windows 7 works 'surprisingly well' on netbooks - low-cost bare-bones laptop computers that have devoured market share in the recent grim economic times.
Windows 7 will be available pre-loaded on personal computers as today, and people who bought Vista machines in recent months will be able to upgrade free.
The failure of Vista to catch on hurt Microsoft competitively, giving Apple the opportunity to woo PC users to Macintosh computers. Apple could benefit anew if PC users faced with switching operating systems go for Macintosh machines instead of Windows 7, according to analysts.
