Is it possible - they want it to suck?
It's bad on purpose?  Like NEW COKE?
There is more money in replacing something we hate than something we love.

I read a blog entry today that hinted at a conspiracy-like theory that Microsoft internationally leaked a pre-release beta copy of Windows 7 onto the bit torrent pirate tool web sites. Almost all the reviews of Windows 7 are positive, and the Beta seems to be receiving great respect as a solid replacement for Windows Vista.