Microsoft has confirmed that it will be rolling out its latest Windows Phone 7 operating system, dubbed Mango, to customers with a first generation WP7 smartphone in the next week or two.

The announcement from Redmond means the company sticks to the promised "Fall" release.

"Hi everybody. Given all the recent speculation around the timing of our Mango update, I wanted to bring you up to speed on what to expect next," wrote Microsoft man, Eric Hautala on the official Windows Phone blog.

"For months, we and dozens of our partner companies have been laying the groundwork for the Windows Phone 7.5 update - and making solid progress. As a result, we now expect to start rolling it out in the next week or two."

If a "week or two" sounds pretty vague, that’s because Hautala was responding to comments saying:

"By 'roll out' I mean we’ll be starting the actual delivery process - emphasis on starting."

The previous update, dubbed NoDo, that added copy and paste functionality to the OS took a number of weeks to arrive via the numerous operators and handset makers around the world.

To help ease the stress of those waiting, Microsoft says that it will continue to update the Where’s My Phone Update? page that should let you know when the update is coming to your phone on your network.

Hautala also fires a warning shot to those keen to try and get it early through unofficial sources:

"During the official Windows Phone 7.5 update process, every Windows Phone will also receive software from the handset manufacturer. This matched and paired firmware has been painstakingly tuned so your phone - and apps -work with all the new features of Windows Phone 7.5. Since your phone requires the proper firmware to function as designed, my advice is simple: steer clear of bootleg updates and homebrew tools."

To get the update users will have to update the Zune software on the PC or the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac software.

HTC has already confirmed to Pocket-lint that it will be pushing the Mango update to its HTC 7 Trophy, HTC 7 Mozart, HTC HD7, and other handsets like the HTC Surround by the end of the month.

However, due to timings, the HTC Mango update will not have Wi-Fi tethering as Microsoft added the feature too late in the approval process for HTC to include it.

The feature will, however, be included in the OS for the company’s new handsets, the HTC Titan, and the HTC Radar.

We will keep you posted.

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