Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, will start selling its Windows 7 operating system on October 22, ahead of the holiday season when demand for computers is usually highest.

Feedback on the new software has been positive from the millions of people testing it, Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview this week. Still, the timing means Microsoft won’t make the key back-to-school shopping season.

The company is looking to Windows 7 to reverse three quarters of shortfalls in Windows sales, owing to the popularity of low-cost notebook computers. Those machines use an older and cheaper version of the operating system. Redmond, Washington- based Microsoft wants to move past the poor reception for Windows Vista, the current version, which went on sale in 2007.

via The Indo