It's official: Microsoft overhauls Longhorn plan

To get next version of Windows out on time (2006), Microsoft will delay some planned major features. Longhorn was supposed to include three major new pillars: a new file system (WinFS); a new graphics and presentation engine (Avalon); and a Web services and communication architecture (Indigo). When Longhorn comes out as a client, a WinFS beta will be available. Avalon and Indigo will be made available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, as well as for Longhorn when it ships.

The biggest new piece of code, WinFS, was pushed back, according to Chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates, because