Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 will officially hit shelves and new PC’s on October 22, 2009, with Australia and New Zealand the first countries to get a taste of the new operating system due to their placement on the International Date Line.

“Our understanding at this time is that the availability of Windows 7 will ‘follow the sun’ on Thursday October 22,” a Microsoft spokesperson said last week. “As such, we’re excited that the first retail sales globally of Windows 7 will take place in New Zealand and Australia as we cross the dateline ahead of other markets.”

Windows 7 will come in five different versions - Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. “Windows 7 Basic” will also be sold in emerging markets.