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Microsoft Launching Windows 8 on Oct. 26

Chloe Albanesius
 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

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Microsoft today confirmed that it will release the final version of Windows 8 on Oct. 26.

Windows chief Steven Sinofsky made the announcement at Microsoft's annual sales meeting, according to a Microsoft blog post.

Earlier this month, Microsoft confirmed at its Worldwide Partner Conference that the new OS would be released in late October. "But now everyone has a specific date to mark on their calendars. It's on mine!" Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc wrote today.

The release to manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 8 is scheduled for August. At RTM, Microsoft will turn on its commerce platform, which will allow developers to start earning money from their apps. More details about that will be released soon, the company said at its partner conference. At this point, apps are free to try within the Windows 8 Release Preview.

In other Windows 8 news, Microsoft announced recently that users with PCs running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. Users in 131 markets will be able to purchase the upgrade package at windows.com when Redmond releases the new operating system.

For more, see PCMag's Hands On With Windows 8 Release Preview and the slideshow below.

Windows 7 made its debut on Oct. 22, 2009.

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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