Windows 8 RTM to Hit in July 2011
While we're all basking in the warm, sunny glow of Windows 7, it's no secret that Microsoft is already working on Windows 8. However, a recent roadmap shows that the next iteration of Windows could arrive sooner than you think.
Late last year a roadmap shown at PDC 2009 revealed Windows 8 would see a "~2012" release. While that little tilde before 2012 had us believing it would be more like the first half of 2013 and Microsoft was just affording itself some wiggle-room, it looks like we'll see the OS sooner than 2012.
A former Microsoft employee by the name of Chris Green recently posted a visual graph detailing Microsoft's product lifecycle index. As msftkitchen points out, this graph contains an awful lot of information that can already be found from Microsoft's Support Lifecycle Index. However, Green has mentioned some things that aren't listed on the MS Lifecycle Index; namely dates for Windows 8, Windows 8 Server and Office 15.
Green's graph have Windows 8 RTM down for July 1, 2011, with mainstream support from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2016 and extended support from 2016 to July, 2021.
Office 15 is pegged for a July 2, 2012 RTM; mainstream support from 2012 to June 30, 2017 and extended support from July 3, 2017 to July 5, 2022.
Green has Microsoft Server 8 down for the same dates. So that's a July 2, 2012 RTM with mainstream support from 2012 to June 30, 2017 and extended support from July 3, 2017 to July 5, 2022.
Green left Microsoft on January 12, at least, that's when he blogged about his leaving Microsoft. However, the update that has everyone talking was posted on December 9, presumably while he was still a Redmond employee.
You can view his roadmap here (PDF warning).
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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El_Capitan Here's more news: Windows 9 RTM to Hit in July 2013.Reply
Related news: Windows 8 RTM Delayed to October 2013.
More Related news: Windows 9 RTM to Hit in October 2014.
Honestly, who cares? -
donovands What the hell for? Don't they ever learn? You can't shorten the lifecycle of an OS! There is a minimum time period where you will not get anyone willing to upgrade.Reply -
HavoCnMe I don't see it lasting as long as they say, seeing how Windows 7 is basically new and they are talking about July next year for Windows 8, then what Windows 9 in 2012, and so on. Boy-oh-boyReply -
drksilenc actually alot of people el capitan, if 8 brings full utilization to x64 im all for it cause then you can actually use full processor support for most everythingReply -
zak_mckraken While I understand every product has a life-cycle, my point of view is that you gather feedback of your product to better prepare the next one. What could they possibly working on now? They claim 7 is the best Windows so far. While I won't argue with that, what do they intend to put in 8 that they didn't put in 7 in the first place? Are they suggesting they rushed out an unfinished product?Reply -
Railgun1369 Unless applications can fully utilize a 64 bit environment, who cares whether the OS is 64 bit? I have no doubt it will still come in both flavors. Honestly, what does Win8 being strictly 64 bit buy you?Reply -
darkknight22 I can't see people upgrading so soon. Getting people to give up XP was like pulling teeth, can't see them jumping on the bandwagon so soon.Reply -
tikrjee It's great Microsoft wants to introduce new bells and whistles and whatnot, but come on!Reply
Seriously, damn near every reader of this site and then some most likely knows that Win7 is really an over-glorified SP for Vista. Hell, it comes up as Windows 6.1!
I hate to say it, but they should take the Mac road. Make a major update with all sorts of improvements and new features, and make it available as an update for a nominal fee (i.e $29 or so). I would've paid $29 for Win 6.1...