Microsoft Finally Sets Official Windows 8 Release Date
Windows 8 is now definitely launching in October now, mere days before Halloween.
The official Windows Blog reports that Windows 8 will launch on October 26, 2012. That means consumers still have around three months left to test-drive the Release Preview to see if the revamped OS is right for them.
The news follows a recent statement made at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference by Tami Reller. Reller told attendees that Windows 8 would be available in October, however, this time the set date was revealed by Steven Sinofsky during Microsoft’s annual sales meeting on Wednesday.
For a limited time, those upgrading from an older version of Windows will be required to pay only $39.99. Those who purchase a brand new Windows 7 computer after June 2 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for a mere $15. Want to purchase a backup DVD from Microsoft? That will cost $15 bucks plus shipping and handling.
Don't want to take the online route? A packaged DVD version of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will be available for $69.99 during the launch promotion. Both the online and offline upgrade promotion will end on January 31, 2013.
"We believe that your upgrade experience in Windows 8 will be a breeze by offering a faster experience, a single upgrade path, and compatibility from prior versions of Windows," said Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc. "We’ve continued to listen to our customers and have expanded the ability to download to over 100 countries and 37 languages.
"We have simplified the Windows upgrade experience with the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant which supports you during your upgrade with everything from selecting your language to pausing your download to built-in compatibility checks - it’s seamless," he added. "And if you’re an enthusiast you will have the flexibility to download and control how you upgrade."
On Monday Microsoft launched the Customer Preview version of Office 2013 (15) which can be downloaded here. Included is Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access. OneNote and Lync represent the first new Windows 8 style applications for Office, and are designed to deliver touch-first experiences on a tablet. A new radial menu in OneNote makes it easy to access features with just a finger.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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ltdementhial phatboeAnyone one here planning on actually upgrading their desktops to Win8? Just curious.Reply
Me, but not on desktop at least not yet, i bought my mother an HP AIO with touch screen but it has only 2gb of ram (the damn thing is a laptop inside it uses frikin laptop Dimms ram) so i think W8 will be a little better with metro...i will use it if MS release an "old school" theme or a way to disable metro...officially of course if not when all aboard the W7 Sp2 Train. -
geraldfryjr Yeehhh!!!Reply
I have been using the preview version and it seems to be working very well so far.
I will probably jump on the upgrade deal when it gets released to save a some money in the long run!!
I don't much care for the metro interface but after I learned my way around it I now have it setup they way I am used to it as in WinXP and Win7.
jer :) -
jhansonxi It's looking rather scary so moving it to October 30 (Devil's/Mischief Night) would make sense. Would give them a few more days for testing.Reply -
If I buy the upgrade, can I still use Vista and windows 8 as a dual boot?Reply
Or do I loose my Vista completely, and be stuck with only windows 8?
If my windows Vista key still works on my PC, and I have the option to go back to it If I hate windows 8 then count me in. But if the "Upgrade" uttery makes my Vista key worthless and unable to use then I'll pass. -
notuptome2004 CanIdualbootvistaIf I buy the upgrade, can I still use Vista and windows 8 as a dual boot?Or do I loose my Vista completely, and be stuck with only windows 8?If my windows Vista key still works on my PC, and I have the option to go back to it If I hate windows 8 then count me in. But if the "Upgrade" uttery makes my Vista key worthless and unable to use then I'll pass.Reply
Not that i know of but you would not want to go back in to windows vista after using 8 because you realize how much faster windows 8 is compared to vista but you coudl download the windows 8 RP version right now and dual boot but at anyrate windows 8 is far faster then even 7 of which it self is faster then windows vista -
redyellowblueblast I'm more interested in the release date of the next version of Ubuntu then I am Windows 8.Reply