Windows 8's delivery date: October 26

The latest tidbit is Windows 8's exact availability date is going to be October 26. (The last we heard at the Microsoft Partner Conference a week ago is it would be in "late October.")

October 26 will be the date Windows 8 will be available preloaded on new PCs and also to those purchasing it through one of the upgrade programs Microsoft has announced recently. Based on previous Microsoft statements, it also seems October 26 will be the date that Windows RT-based Surface PCs/tablets from Microsoft will be available via the Microsoft Stores and select online outlets.

Read more at:

Windows 8's delivery date: October 26 | ZDNet

 

[pparks1]

I loved the caption for this story on the Register
"101 days left to develop an explanation for Metro"

Microsoft picks October 26th for Windows 8 launch ? The Register

 

[Jeht]

That's terrible news. Why does it have to be at the end of October when it'll be done in August? lol It makes no sense.

 

[FSeal]

That's terrible news. Why does it have to be at the end of October when it'll be done in August? lol It makes no sense.

RTM has to go to software developers, hardware developers for drivers and system integrators so they can all get their products ready for launch.

They've been using the RCs like we have but without the actual RTM they can't be sure their stuff works for sure on launch day.

And /especially/ for people making tablets and computers with preinstalled windows, the scant 2 months is very VERY little time to get the real OS sorted out and on the machines through manufacturing and then all the logistics of shipping to stores so that everything is ready on release day.

 

[Jeht]

But isn't that a PUSHED BACK release? I thought the actual release was the first week of October?

 

[FSeal]

Oh heh, er I don't know. It may have just been "October" and I know from experience that when a customer wants something in "October" they want it Oct 1 and when a manufacturer says "October" they mean Oct 31 if possible

 

[Jeht]

LOL Ok sure sure. I guess I should be happy there IS a real release date. ミ●﹏☉ミ

 

[Mike Lonewolf]

Windows 9 Alpha testing to begin December 25th! *Laughing* Just KIDDING!! Or Am I?

 

[bobkn]

That's terrible news. Why does it have to be at the end of October when it'll be done in August? lol It makes no sense.

Windows 7 was RTM (released to manufacturing) on July 22, 2009. It went to GA (general availability) on October 22.

Did you expect the gap to be less for Windows 8? It appears to represent a larger change from Windows 7 than Windows 7 was from Vista.

 

[robinbredin]

It talks about the upgrade version, and not the full retail version.

 

[FSeal]

It talks about the upgrade version, and not the full retail version.

Supposedly there will be no full retail version O.O

Just "Upgrade" and "System Builder" which is likely the same as the old "OEM" disks for previous versions. Not sure how that's going to work out. Apparently there weren't enough people buying the retail versions to support them any more (Though that probably still counted for millions of units sold)

 

[Jeht]

lol I'm not too surprised. Since the upgrade can also be used to install a clean version of the OS. Last time I checked anyway. The Windows XP disc I still have someplace lol it was an update version and I remember using it to reinstall Windows one time and it worked as a clean install. So ya...having only the upgrade makes more sense. Because u can still do both. Or at least you use to be able to on a upgrade disc.

 

[McRuff]

So ya...having only the upgrade makes more sense.

Personally I dislike upgrade disks. Just tried to install Office 97 on my virtual win2000 and I was told to put my qualifying program disk in the CD drive. Now I am left scratching my head wondering where I put the Office 95 Disk. I suspect it went into the green filing basket in the corner. As for the system builder disk I think a lot will depend on the EULA and whether it allows you to reinstall on new hardware. If the EULA is the same as OEM, you are required to buy a new version every time you change the motherboard. The last Win 7 Disk I bought was retail, mainly so that if Win 9 is also a wash I can continue to upgrade the system.

 

[Phone Man]

Just a rumor but Windows 8 RTM will be released next week on July 26 or 27 and will be on TechNet and MSDN about 2 weeks after.
Speculation from the way Windows 7 was done.

Jim

 

[Dave76]

Hope the rumor is true, good news, thanks.

 

[Mike Lonewolf]

Microsoft confirmed the date of October 26, 2012 as the retail release date. BUT with Microsoft, odds are it probably will change.
Still no answering if there is going to be a DVD or just the image for upgrade using Microsoft's own upgrade program. BUT personally I can't imagine that there will not be the media version of Windows 8 (All Versions).