Windows 8 Release Target Accidentally Leaked

By Marcus Yam
published

Windows 7 might only have two years of newness left.

After Windows 7, the expected next evolution will be Windows 8. While Microsoft has confirmed that it is working on the next-generation of Windows, it hasn't said anything about release date. Speculation put it into sometime in 2012, but Redmond isn't confirming.

Interestingly enough, the Microsoft blog in the Netherlands had a rather interesting post talking about the upcoming release schedule of Microsoft products. Windows8beta.com ran it through a translator and this is what it read:

The phasing out of Windows XP, Microsoft is nearing completion. In July 2010, the support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 stops. Today Microsoft will stop selling Windows XP to PC manufacturers and the aftermarket sales of Windows Vista. For Windows 7, Microsoft Service Pack 1. This service pack is still in the testing phase and is expected in the first half of next year available. The first update of Windows 7 is the new version of Windows Live Essentials (explore.live.com) became available in mid-June. Furthermore, Microsoft is of course the next version of Windows. But it will take about two years before "Windows 8 ‘on the market. The latest news about Windows is available at www.windows.nl / blog.

So according to that, if you're waiting for Windows 8 before making the move from your Windows XP install, you'll be waiting "about two years" before it'll be on the market.

Predictably, Microsoft took down the blog post and changed it to mention only Windows 7 SP1 and the new Windows Live Essentials that was released during the summer.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
48 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Albyint
    Windows Xp lasted how long and they are already planning on replacing Windows 7? I wonder what that really means.......
    Reply
  • jellico
    I just saw this on Networkworld.com. Considering that Microsoft almost never makes their target dates (especially this far out), I wouldn't be surprised to hear that it would be moved way back. Windows 7 is a great performer and will serve people well for a long time to come. It would be to Microsoft's benefit to really take their time on Windows 8 so as not to end up putting out another Vista.
    Reply
  • cryogenic
    Microsoft releasing a new windows OS sometimes in the future ... go figure!
    Reply
  • partytime
    I agree.. We are very happy with Windows 7. Microsoft just needs to take a few extra years and get the next one right, then i'll be more willing to part with a few extra hundred bucks for the new one.
    Reply
  • cracatoa
    Windows 7 is too damn good for a quick replacement. I hope they delay it until it is actually necessary and comes with some drastic changes.
    Reply
  • campb292
    I agree, I can't really see Microsoft trying to replace Windows 7 before 2013. It has been a market success - several businesses and some governmental agencies in my area are making the switch to Windows 7 in the next two months. Word of mouth has been miles beyond the wom for Vista.

    What I do see is the incorporation of native SATA 6Gb/s and USB 3.0 drivers in a future service pack. I had hoped it would be SP1, but as the adoption has been slow and it nears final testing stages, I hope they are in SP2. AMD has already added SATA 6Gb/s and USB3 to many of its boards and Intel is putting out its first in the coming month.
    Reply
  • spectrewind
    Delays? Blackcomb? Whistler? Longhorn?
    Nothing new here...
    Reply
  • twbg4cq
    Well, I jumped from XP to 7, so if this news is true I may do the same by skipping to "Windows 9" (if that's what they end up calling it).
    Of course that depends on what new features "Windows 8" is able to deliver.
    We'll see...
    Reply
  • choirbass
    AlbyintWindows Xp lasted how long and they are already planning on replacing Windows 7? I wonder what that really means.......
    It means that Windows XP was 'long' overdue to be replaced. That shorter product cycles are more necessary.
    Reply
  • tolham
    microsoft seems to make a really good OS on every-other release. they might as well get win 8 out of the way so they can get started on win 9.
    Reply