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#1
Vista was based on Windows 7
I'm as guilty as they come in saying that Windows 7 as the general feel of Vista, however it is in fact the other way round. Let me explain...
Windows codename Blackcomb was supposed to succeed Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. A major feature planned for Blackcomb was an advanced storage system called WinFS. Blackcomb was put hold whilst an interim build "Longhorn" was announced for 2003. Longhorn acquired some of the features originally intended for Blackcomb. But after three major viruses; SOBIG, BLASTER & SASSER exploited flaws in Windows operating systems during the same period, Microsoft was forced to put both development of Blackcomb on hold to develop new service packs for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Development of Longhorn (Windows Vista) was also "reset", or delayed in August 2004. By this time development of Vista was already behind and to prevent further delays a number of features were cut from Longhorn.
In 2006 codename Blackcomb was renamed Vienna then again in 2007 it was renamed Windows 7 in 2007. In 2008 Windows 7 was adopted as the official name for the operating system.
In all irony a number of capabilities and certain programs that made up Windows Vista have been changed or removed in Windows Seven taking away some of it's functionality. Such notable features include the classic 'Start Menu' UI, 'Windows Ultimate Extras' (altho a patch exists to enable 'Dreamscenes'), 'Inkball' and 'Windows Calendars'. Another three applications that were bundled in Windows Vista; 'Windows Photogallery', 'Windows Movie Maker' and 'Windows Mail' are not included in Windows Seven, instead these are available for free as part of 'Windows Live Essentials' which also includes amongst other things 'Windows Live Messenger'.