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Microsoft obviously had a shortlist of names to choose for naming Longhorn, some DNS research (also done by Bink.nu's member dersonc for Brazil)  result in the at least 2 alternatives.

Windows Ruby

ru·by (rū'bē)
n., pl.-bies.

1. A deep red, translucent variety of the mineral corundum, highly valued as a precious stone.
2. Something, such as a watch bearing, that is made from a ruby.
3. A dark or deep red to deep purplish red.

Domeinnaam	windowsruby.nl (eerste domein)
Status	actief
Registrant	Microsoft B.V.
	Boeingavenue 30
	1119 PE SCHIPHOL-RIJK
	Netherlands
Domicilie	N/A
Gebonden aan ADR	ja
Administratief contact	K J Weston
	+31 (0)205001500
	admin@internationaladmin.com
Registrar	Net Searchers International Ltd
	Elysium House, New King's road 126 128
	SW64 LZ
	LONDON
	United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland
Technisch contact	MSN Hostmaster
	+1 4258828080
	msnhst@microsoft.com
Nameserver	dns31.register.com	216.21.234.86
Nameserver	dns32.register.com	216.21.226.86
Datum registratie	22-04-2005
Record laatst gewijzigd	22-04-2005
Record onderhouden door	NL Domain Registry

Windows 07 or Windows Seven

This is a logical name, short for Windows 2007, yes it wil be released in 2006 but in the second half so it will have next years number. You see this in all MS products, like the just released Encarta 2006, Digital Image Suite 2006 and Money 2006. Except for SQL 2005 where the marketing of the name has gone to far to keep up with the delay of SQL Yukon.

Domeinnaam	windows07.nl (eerste domein)
Status	actief
Registrant	Microsoft B.V.
	Boeingavenue 30
	1119 PE SCHIPHOL-RIJK
	Netherlands
Domicilie	N/A
Gebonden aan ADR	ja
Administratief contact	K J Weston
	+31 (0)205001500
	admin@internationaladmin.com
Registrar	Net Searchers International Ltd
	Elysium House, New King's road 126 128
	SW64 LZ
	LONDON
	United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland
Technisch contact	MSN Hostmaster
	+1 4258828080
	msnhst@microsoft.com
Nameserver	dns31.register.com	216.21.234.86
Nameserver	dns32.register.com	216.21.226.86
Datum registratie	22-04-2005
Record laatst gewijzigd	22-04-2005
Record onderhouden door	NL Domain Registry

See Windows Seven WHois

Anyone found more? There is a slight posibility that Microsoft registerd these names to dictract researches finding the real name, but I doubt that. Though I must say it is a small miracle the name Vista didn't leak out after it was announced at the Microsoft internal sales event in Atalanta with thousands of attandees.