Microsoft is going to use the code name Windows 7 as the official name of its next-generation operating system. Microsoft has never done that with Windows before. But, according to a blog by Mike Nash, corporate VP of Windows product management, “This is the seventh release of Windows, so therefore ‘Windows 7’ just makes sense.

It couldn’t just be the notoriety Windows 7 has gotten, now could it?

Leaving aside the Seven Deadly Sins, 7 is regarded as a fairly lucky number and – given Microsoft’s experience with Vista – it can probably use all the luck it can get.

Unfortunately, perhaps, unlike the idea that every seven years every cell in the human body changes, Windows 7 is reportedly gonna look a lot like Vista. We’ll know for sure soon enough.

Microsoft is supposed to hand out a pre-beta “developer-only” release of the thing at both its Professional Developers Conference later this month and at WinHEC next month. The widgetry is supposed to hit final release by the end of 2009, worse case early 2010.

• Windows 7 Unveiled: Microsoft’s Last Chance to Finish Vista
• Windows 7 Hits Public Beta