Federal IT executives may start moving toward Microsoft's Windows 7, but probably rather slowly. Dell computers reports that a majority of the federal agencies with Windows 7 migration plans will make the move as part of their normal PC and laptop refresh cycle, which will take time.

Several government agencies, however, plan to move more quickly. The Army has been testing Windows 7, and the Air Force is working on a Windows 7 upgrade plan, even as it completes its migration to Vista.

Troy West, general manager and VP of Dell's federal government business, said he expects federal IT managers will deploy Windows 7 "more broadly and more quickly" than they have Windows Vista. That may not be saying much. Use of Vista by the government has been low.

Microsoft will be doing its best to interest government agencies. It is offering 15 percent discounts on Windows 7 professional edition for small government customers. It will host a Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 virtual event on Nov. 10, and is preparing a Windows 7 e-book for government customers.

For more on Windows 7:
- see this InformationWeek article

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