It's Official: Windows 8 RTM Scheduled for August

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Microsoft's currently holding its annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Canada and the company today revealed some important Windows 8 milestones with partners at WPC. Speaking to thousands of partners from around the world, Windows Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer Tami Reller confirmed that Windows 8 is on track to hit Release to Manufacturing (RTM) the first week of August. Reller also confirmed that the OS will reach general availability by the end of October.

Though we sort of already knew Windows 8 was scheduled for launch in October, details of when the OS would hit RTM are new. Additionally, Microsoft says enterprise customers with Software Assurance benefits will have full access to Windows 8 bits as early as August. Reller also noted that RTM is when the company will be turning on the commerce platform so developers can start earning money for their apps, and promised details on the Windows Store for developers blog soon. All apps are still free for people to try with the Windows 8 Release Preview.

Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.

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Jane McEntegart
67 Comments Comment from the forums
  • xaephod
    Still not going to get Windows 8. I heard that Stardock brought back the Start button and kudos to them. If there is a reason to upgrade, please let me know. As of now, I see no reason to move to Windows 8 at all.
    Reply
  • killerb255
    Windows 8: average Joe like it, computer geeks hate it.
    Reply
  • dtemple
    I see Windows 8 as being the OS that makes touchscreen all-in-one desktop PCs finally viable for touchscreen use. It'll also be really cool if they make touchscreen ultrabooks, and of course it'll be great for tablets.
    So far there are no major killer features that make me want to upgrade any of my computers to Windows 8, but none are touchscreen. Thankfully it doesn't seem that Windows 8 is any less usable once you get beyond the start screen, with the full desktop showing.
    Once Microsoft releases their next DirectX API, which I'm sure they'll make exclusive to Windows 8 (just like they made DX11 a Windows 7 exclusive, even though Vista is capable through some software tricks), that's when I'll upgrade.
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    Well, I think Tom's Hardware should've posted this: http://www.redmondpie.com/microsoft-explains-why-they-removed-the-start-button-in-windows-8/

    I find myself only using the Start button to launch utilities (defrag, disk cleanup, etc) and making an extensive usage of shortcuts.
    Reply
  • rohitbaran
    xaephodStill not going to get Windows 8. I heard that Stardock brought back the Start button and kudos to them. If there is a reason to upgrade, please let me know. As of now, I see no reason to move to Windows 8 at all.Microsoft will most likely create a patch so that Start button is taken out even from Stardock. Remember the article that talked about how much effort they put into getting rid of the button from Windows code?
    Reply
  • siciro
    There's nothing wrong with win 8. People complaining about it will also complain because there are different buttons on their favorite shirt. Cant wait for it
    Reply
  • JamesSneed
    Windows 8 my PC.
    Reply
  • SinisterMessiah
    I like Windows 8 for a tablet/touchscreen, but I will be skipping it for my desktop/laptop. I've been using the preview on my laptop and have quickly found it to be obnoxious to navigate. I think that some of the metro apps are pretty damn sexy and intuitive, but using Windows 8 in a production environment would be annoying for me. I almost wish they either went all or nothing with the Metro interface, because having to switch between the desktop and Metro is a pain.

    I've never skipped a Windows release before, so my feelings are pretty legitimate I think. I'm not just complaining for the sake of complaining, I'm borderline fanboy when it comes to Microsoft but I'm also reasonable and objective when the situation calls for it.
    Reply
  • mykem
    Been using preview release for 2 months now. Windows 7 feels old/antiquated on a touchscreen. Looking forward to final release!
    Reply
  • magicandy
    dtempleOnce Microsoft releases their next DirectX API, which I'm sure they'll make exclusive to Windows 8 (just like they made DX11 a Windows 7 exclusive, even though Vista is capable through some software tricks), that's when I'll upgrade.
    Not sure where you're getting your info but DX11 has been officially supported for Vista right from the start. The "tricks" you speak of are normal Windows Updates that require you to have Service Pack 2 installed and another Windows Update (KB971512). DX11 was never a Windows 7 exclusive like DX10 was for Vista.
    Reply