Windows 8 Release Date: RTM In August 2012, Retail In October 2012

Finally, some confirmation came from Microsoft about the Windows 8 release date. It was earlier speculated that Microsoft will most probably release Windows 8 in the last quarter of 2012. Microsoft is set to release Windows 8 RTM in the first week of August, Windows 8 retail version will be available at the end of October. This announcement was made by Microsoft’s Tami Reller at the Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto.

The exact release dates are still not available. Also, it should be noted, if Microsoft hits any unforeseen snags during the last stage of Windows 8 development, the release could be delayed. Although, Tami Reller seems confident that such a situation will not occur. Reller states that the company is “on track” and  Windows 8 RTM will be available by the beginning of August. The Windows Store will also start selling paid apps when Windows 8 RTM is released.

Windows-8-Logo

If you go back in time, three years back, in October 2009 Microsoft released Windows 7. Now, after exactly three years, Microsoft will release Windows 8. Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.

Users already had a great deal of time to play around the new Metro UI of Windows 8 with the Release Preview. Although, we caught mixed reaction towards the new user interface, but most seems to like Windows 8.

Microsoft is already running two promotions for Windows users who wants to upgrade to Windows 8. Users who buys a Windows 7 computer can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro edition for only $14.99 only. In another promotion, existing Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only $39.99 only. The first promotion is already running, while the second promotion will start in October when Windows 8 retail version is released. Both the promotions will run until January 31, 2013.

The upgrade path is different for users coming from an earlier edition of Windows. An upgrade assistant will help users when they upgrade from an earlier Windows edition. Windows 7 users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 keeping applications, settings, and data preserved. When upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 8, users will be able to only keep their settings and data. When a user upgrades from Windows XP to Windows 8, they can only keep their data preserved.

[via The Windows Blog]

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