Windows Longhorn

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Longhorn is Microsoft's codename for the next version of its Windows operating system, to follow on from Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003. It was originally expected to ship sometime early in 2006 as a minor step between Whistler and Blackcomb (Longhorn is a name of a sports bar near Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort).

Gradually, Longhorn assimilated many important new features and technologies of Blackcomb. On August 27, 2004, Microsoft announced that they planned to drop some features so that Longhorn could be released in "a reasonable timeframe" (by the end of 2006). The first beta version of Windows Longhorn is expected to be debuted in Q1 2005.

Longhorn is currently available as a preview release available to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers, and at select Microsoft developer conferences. The preview release is classified as an alpha or "pre-alpha" version at the moment, and as such its performance and feature sets are not necessarily representative of the release product. As with many products (including all Windows releases since 98) it has since been leaked onto popular file sharing networks.

Technologies

Microsoft labels the key new technologies as "The Pillars of Longhorn," which are:

• Fundamentals: new developments to the basic structure of the operating system including the .NET framework, further support for digital rights management (DRM), an application deployment engine ("ClickOnce"), improvements to the installation of applications (Windows Installer/MSI 4.0), and the Trustworthy Computing initiative (trusted computing).
• Avalon: a new user interface subsystem and API based on XML, .NET, and vector graphics, which will make use of 3D computer graphics hardware and Direct3D technologies.
• Indigo: a service-oriented messaging system to allow programs to interoperate, as part of the .NET framework.
• WinFX: a new API to allow access to these new features, replacing the current "Win32" API (see Windows API).

Delayed until future release

• WinFS (short for either Windows Future Storage or Windows File System): a combined relational database and filesystem, based on the next version of SQL Server (codenamed Yukon). Working on top of NTFS, it will provide abilities to represent objects and their relationships, rather than just a hierarchy of files and folders. The removal of WinFS from Windows Longhorn was announced in August 2004, and is expected to be released as an update to Longhorn, entering beta stages at about the same time as Longhorn is released.

Features

Additionally, Longhorn will include many other new features, including:

• a completely re-designed user interface, code-named Aero. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetic than previous Windows interfaces. The most visible addition to the interface is the sidebar, an area at the side of the screen consisting of tiles which display dynamic information about whatever window is currently in the foreground; this is to some extent an extension of the "system tray" on the Windows task bar.
• a new command-line interface called MSH, and codenamed Monad. It combines the Unix pipes and filters philosophy with that of object-oriented programming.
• full support for the "NX" (No-Execute) feature of processors. This feature, present in AMD's AMD64 architecture, as well as Intel's EMT64 Architecture, can flag certain parts of memory as containing data instead of executable code, which prevents overflow errors from resulting in arbitrary code execution. This should not be confused with trusted computing facilities provided by a so-called Fritz-chip.
• built-in DVD recording capabilities, including Mt. Rainier support.
• a new installation program that will install Longhorn in about 15 minutes.

System requirements

Graphics requirements are defined in relation to three different desktop experiences.

Aero Glass experience

This graphics mode includes support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects that delivers the richest experience possible in Longhorn. Consequently, this graphics mode requires the following:

• At least 64 MB graphics memory (128 MB is recommended)
• Support for at least 32 bits per pixel
• Support for advanced 3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9
• A graphics card that uses AGP 8X or PCI Express 16-lane bus

Although this may appear expensive by today's standards, it is likely that such a configuration will be entry-level or lower by Longhorn's release in 2006-2007.

Aero experience

This graphics mode delivers the minimum hardware acceleration for the Longhorn user experience and is the minimum required for new systems.

• Windows XP Driver Model (Longhorn Display Driver Model is recommended)
• At least 32 MB graphics memory
• Support at least 32 bits per pixel
• Support 3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9
• A graphics card that uses AGP 4X or PCI Express eight-lane bus

Classic experience

This graphics mode is equivalent to the user experience in Windows 2000. In this mode, Longhorn uses software rendering to display graphics instead of a graphics card. If the system running Longhorn does not meet the hardware requirements for Aero or Aero Glass, this mode will be used.

References

• Graphics Hardware and Drivers for Windows "Longhorn" – Version as of April 30, 2004; retrieved June 10, 2004
• Microsoft (August 27, 2004). Microsoft Announces 2006 Target Date for Broad Availability Of Windows "Longhorn" Client Operating System. Press Release. Retrieved November 30, 2004.

External links

• Microsoft Longhorn Developer Center -- Developer information on Longhorn at MSDN.
  • The Pillars of Longhorn
  • Microsoft Longhorn SDK -- Documentation of the Longhorn APIs made public so far at MSDN.
• Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows -- Detailed information regarding Longhorn, including screenshots.
  • PDC 2003 Section -- Information regarding Longhorn build 4051, released at PDC 2003.
• Longhorn Blogs -- Non-corporate, community-based initiative of Microsoft's next version of Windows
• Longhorn News -- Non-corporate, community-based news site, dedicated to Longhorn news.
  • Gallery Section -- Screenshots from development versions of Longhorn.

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