Microsoft confirms Win 2000 launch date - with proviso

Microsoft has finally announced a release date for the long-awaited Windows 2000 operating system, but the company has built an escape clause into its commitment.

Microsoft has finally announced a release date for the long-awaited Windows 2000 operating system, but the company has built an escape clause into its commitment.

It made the announcement in a written statement following a Partner Marketing day in Las Vegas last week. Deborah Willingham, vice president of Microsoft's business enterprise division, said the worldwide launch of the operating system had been scheduled for 17 February. The release has been timed to coincide with the World Expo Windows 2000 Conference to be held in San Francisco, which begins 15 February.

Despite the seemingly categorical nature of the statement, however, Willingham added a proviso that the OS will ship only when it is ready.

"While we are working closely with the industry to prepare solutions for retail availability in mid-February, we stand firm on our commitment to release Windows 2000 only when our early-adopter customers agree it's ready," she said.

Willingham said that customers and partners will be able to plan roll-out and implementation strategies for the operating system now a release date had finally been set: "We are thrilled that customers and partners can build their plans around the general availability of Windows 2000."

Between now and February the software giant is also set to deliver the third and final beta release of the OS to its Joint Deployment and Rapid Deployment partners for testing.