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In what might be a glimpse of things to come in Windows 7, Microsoft is asking customers whether they would prefer to have instant access to a limited selection of applications.

The concept isn't exactly new: Asus and Dell have produced laptops that provide swift access to apps and data using Linux subsystems. Now it seems Microsoft is intent on offering such a facility itself.

"We would like your feedback on a new concept," the Microsoft survey states, according to a leaked version sent to <

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Engadget. "The concept is called 'Instant On'. 'Instant On' takes your computer from being completely powered down or 'turned off' to being usable for a few specific activities in a very short amount of time."

"The Instant On experience is different from 'Full Windows' because it limits what activities you can do and what applications you can have access to."

Microsoft admitted earlier this year that the boot performance of Windows Vista wasn't up to scratch. "From our perspective, too few systems consistently boot fast enough and we have to do much better," the company wrote on the Windows 7 blog.

"Obviously the systems that are greater than 60 seconds have something we need to dramatically improve- whether these are devices, networking, or software issues."

Microsoft is due to give full details of Windows 7 at its Professional Developers Conference later this month. Keep an eye on this website for live reports from the conference.