According to Ars Technica, it looks like the next major iteration of Microsoft Windows, codenamed Longhorn and due in 2006, won’t have that spiffy database-driven file system (WinFS) that has been much hyped. Instead, word is that it will be scaled back from a full file system within a database that would allow you to do all the fun manipulations you could on such to just a mere indexing agent with some metadata improvements. That means that most of us will probably end up turning that feature off, as it will no doubt use up resources like WinXP’s indexing agent does with little gain. Additionally, WinFS will only support the files on your computer, and will provide none of it’s advantages to networked resources like originally planned.
Additionally, it appears that there will be at least one new version of MS Windows to be released between now and 2006, but it won’t be the rumored “Windows XP Reloaded”. It’s called Windows XP Premium and will not be available anywhere except as installed on a new store-bought computer, much like Windows XP Media Center Edition.