An executive said on Monday that Microsoft Corp is on track to release its new Windows 7 operating system for for the 2009 holiday shopping season.

The world's largest software company has so far been vague on specifying the timing of its new operating system, wary of disappointing customers. But it has broadly targeted the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

"Windows 7 is tracking well for holiday availability," Bill Veghte, senior vice president of Microsoft's Windows business said at an event on Monday, citing good test results on the early version of the system released to developers and the public over the past few weeks.

Last month, Microsoft said Windows 7 was on track for launch in fiscal 2010, which could mean as early as July this year.

Source (REUTERS)