Microsoft's transition from one big Windows version to another is always entertaining to watch, as executives start to distance themselves from the product they've been trumpeting for years, preparing to tout its successor as the one people really need to get. That phenomenon was on full display this week at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans.

With the Windows 7 release a little more than three months away, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer didn't say the word "Vista" -- not even in passing -- during his prepared remarks Tuesday morning, according to the official transcript. Kevin Turner, Microsoft's chief operating officer, did mention Windows Vista, but he sounded more like someone reflecting on an uncomfortable medical procedure.

"The momentum we have in the marketplace around Windows 7 feels really, really good. And after the Vista launch, how could it not? That's a tough one. (Laughter.) That's a tough one. I'm a sales guy. Okay? I got a few of these (arrows) taking them out of the back on that. But you know what? The reason Windows 7 is going to be successful and the most secure operating system But you know what? The reason Windows 7 is going to be successful and the most secure operating system we've ever developed in the history of Microsoft is because of the pain we took on Vista. The pain we took on application (compatibility) and device (compatibility) was warranted. And could we have done a better job enabling our partner ecosystem? Surely, we could have. And, clearly, we paid a dear price for that."

Turner was referring to the underlying architectural changes Microsoft made in Windows Vista, primarily to address security problems with the operating system. The changes kept Vista from working smoothly with many software programs and hardware devices upon its January 2007 launch. Subsequent fixes and updates have resolved many of the problems, but the negative reputation lingers.

Microsoft is looking to Windows 7 to move past that reputation.

The new operating system is more of an incremental upgrade, with new features but not nearly as many fundamental changes under the hood. That should make the transition from Windows Vista to Windows 7 smoother than the one from Windows XP to Windows Vista. But the true test will come after Oct. 22, when Windows 7 launches.

Earlier post: Leaping from Windows XP to Windows 7? Some important stuff to consider