Computing giant Microsoft has unveiled a pre-beta version of its long-awaited Windows 7 operating system.

Speaking to a mass of journalists at the organisation's Professional Developer Conference in Los Angeles, it was noted that compatibility and performance issued were addressed above all else in order to avoid a repeat of the launch of Windows Vista.

The final product, which is not expected until summer 2009 at the earliest, is planned to work better with new technologies and networked devices.

Additionally, Windows 7 will also have a touch screen function which will interact with touch-enabled displays, allowing a number of gestures including pinching, rotating and basic single click standards found in current systems which adopt the technology.

The news follows attempts to improve the public image of Windows Vista, which was demonstrated as having generally negative attitudes towards it during Microsoft's Mojave Experiment.

In a bid to find out why Vista was rated so poorly, Microsoft "disguised it as the next Microsoft Operating System codenamed Mojave so regular people who've never used Windows Vista could see what it can do and decide for themselves", gaining better opinions in the process.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).