Latest Windows 8 Rumor Says RTM by April 2012

Veteran Microsoft reporter Mary-Jo Foley of ZDNet has a tip about when Windows 8 will see release.

The original belief was that Windows 8 would hit the release to manufacturing (RTM) in Q2/Q3 2012 following various beta previews and release candidates. The new rumor is that Microsoft is shooting to RTM by April 2012.

What's more, rather than just RTM the two desktop and business editions, Microsoft is aiming to finish Windows 8 for x86, x64, as well as the ARM SoC and Windows 8 Servers all for a simultaneous RTM.

The rumor extends itself to say that there will be a beta release around the time of the BUILD conference this September. It will be the only beta release that will be followed by the release candidate in January 2012.

If true, an April 2012 RTM time would mean a retail launch that could be just in time for the back-to-school buyers.