The projected successor to Windows Vista, shipping late this year, has been named Vienna. An earlier name was Blackcomb, which is a ski resort in Canada, as was Whistler, the code-name for Windows XP.

Microsoft, in a statement to CNET News.com said: “The ‘Blackcomb’ code name has been changed to ‘Vienna,’ but we do not have any other details to share on timing or focus. This does not reflect a big change for us; we have used city code names in the past, which are derived from cities/locations in the world known for great ‘vistas’–the kinds of places we all want to see, experience and that capture the imagination. Vienna fits with this concept.”

We know that Redmond is planning quicker releases for its major software in future. It also seems likely that Vienna will embrace WinFS, the file storage system pulled from Vista.