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November 23, 2009

Windows 8 set for release in 2012

'Roadmap' suggests 3-year development cycle

Paul Trotter

Windows 8 will be with us in 2012, according to Microsoft roadmaps apparently revealed at last week's Professional Developers' Conference (PDC).

Although Microsoft has yet to officially discuss plans for Windows 8, a 2012 release would be consistent with previous Microsoft pledges to release a new desktop operating system every three years. Windows 7 was released a month ago.

The latest speculation suggesting a 2012 release has been credited to Microsoft Kitchen, a blog with the tagline 'Serving up some seriously tasty Microsoft'.

Despite showing roadmaps apparently picked up at PDC, the blog has little else to reveal about Windows 8.

However, a Microsoft employee may have inadvertently spilled the beans on one key Windows 8 feature last month.

Windows 8Microsoft employee Robert Morgan appeared to detail the software giant's plans to make a 128-bit version of Windows 8, and even Windows 9, on LinkedIn, where he listed his job as 'senior research and development'. His profile, which has now been removed from the business networking site, said Morgan was "working in high security department for research and development involving strategic planning for medium and longterm projects".

It went on to reveal that his R&D projects included: "128-bit architecture compatibility with the Windows 8 kernel and Windows 9 project plan". He's also responsible for "forming relationships with major partners: Intel, AMD, HP and IBM".

Microsoft is also looking for employees to help shape Windows 8, according to reports online. Neowin.net spotted the vacancy for a Windows 7 software engineer on Microsoft's site.

"We just finished up work on Windows 7, and are pushing forth on Windows 8 planning and preparation," said the blurb in the job ad, which was replicated on the CodenameWindows website.

"As part of this team, you will help shape Windows 8. Components of our code include a core agent that runs as an NT service, an API layer and a UI application," added the advert.

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Comments received


Peter said on Monday, 23 November 2009

This will give many on the fence XP users even more pause for thought re moving to Win 7. Since XP been supported as it is to 2014, Win 8 would make the make the ideal point at which to upgrade.

MalcolmF said on Thursday, 26 November 2009

Since MS seems to alternate to a varying degree between a superb OS and a lemon, what is the betting on which W8 will be?
W98 was followed by Windows Mistake Edition, then XP, then Vista and now W7.
My computers are there to do a job. When they are no longer capable of doing their job, either due to wear and tear that is not fixable at a sensible price, they will be replaced, probably with a machine with whatever the current OS is. Hopefully MS will be on an upswing then.

si said on Thursday, 26 November 2009

Makes me wonder if MS is really putting the post launch effort into W7 it deserves if they are already making W8.

Lynne S said on Friday, 27 November 2009

It may give those of us who bought Vista another reason to skip Windows 7 and waiting for Windows 8. I'm still thwarted with some software as I bought the 64 bit version of Vista about eighteen months ago. Like others I hate the security pop ups, but not badly enough to want to fork out for Windows 7, so soon after my purchase of Vista. By 2012 I'll likely be tempted, at least a few months after it comes out to watch and wait for any major problems with it.

Gogo said on Saturday, 28 November 2009

I just sold my retail copy of Windows 7 Pro on ebay and made £ 70 more than i paid for it on july 15th.
I tried 7 and didnt like it and moved back to XP. XP is still the best O.S out there. W8 will probably be even more fluff and no substance.

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