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Microsoft’s Windows Vista will be available to retail customers from 30 January 2007, the company has said. The news comes days after the firm said the next version of the Windows operating system would be available to corporate customers from 30 November.

New elements in the updated software include an improved 3D interface, more search options and extra security.

Vista will be Microsoft’s first new versions of Windows for the PC market since 2001.

There will be six versions of Vista – three for business, two for home use and one for developing nations. The price of the software will range from $100 to $399, Microsoft said.