A top Microsoft executive has admitted that Windows 7 is unlikely to provide the PC market with a much needed jolt.

Talking to News.com, Microsoft senior vice president Bill Veghte said that History tells him that as you ship a Windows release into the market the bump is very modest.

Veghte said that there is "very good enthusiasm around Windows 7," but that will not be the biggest factor in the decision by corporations about when to upgrade their computers.

He said that as the economy picks up punters will have to buy PCs and that is going to be the biggest factor in new sales. Veghte would not be drawn on the price of a cheaper upgrade for Windows Vista users. He did say Microsoft wants to make sure that the upgrade path was "very smooth" from a pricing perspective.