Microsoft may release Windows 7.0 on USB Sticks

Microsoft is considering offering Windows 7 on a thumb drive to allow Netbook owners to more easily upgrade their machines.

The move, which is still under consideration, is one of several things Microsoft has looked at to try to make it convenient to upgrade machines that don't come with a CD or DVD drives.

Microsoft executives have said that they recognise that upgrading Netbooks poses a challenge and are exploring ways that the company can make it easier.

Although a USB flash drive could offer the simplest way to move a Netbook to Windows 7, there are other options. Buyers with an external drive could hook up that to their Netbook, then we have the automated tools from System Center, LANDesk and possibly a strong shift towards VDI and offline VDI through technologies such as Citrix XenClient.

Complicating matters further is the fact that many Netbooks are running Windows XP. Those moving from Windows XP can buy an upgrade version of the software, but must back up their data, do a clean installation of the operating system and then reload their applications.

Should be interesting times, and lots of thought needs to be applied before October 22nd 2009.