Windows 8 Due in 2012: Microsoft

A word about the next major operating system slipped out right from the horse's, err, Microsoft's mouth. On the Microsoft Dutch site, the software giant had posted that the next Windows operating system will be released two years from now. Tom Warren of WinRumors was the one who spotted this on Microsoft's Dutch news site.

Earlier in June, we had reported about Windows 8 roadmap pointing at the release of this next "major release" imminent in 2012. However, this time, the update comes from Microsoft  itself. Unfortunately, Microsoft has pulled down the news from its Dutch News site. This message was put up for the celebration of Windows 7's first anniversary.


Microsoft had already termed Windows 8 as a major release and said it plans to come up with Windows app store just like we have Mac App Store now. Apple had recently showed a sneak peek into its next major operating system release - Mac OS X Lion. A number of 'major' features are impressive but I'd like to point out that full screen apps is an interesting one.

As of now, Microsoft wants to be tight lipped till Windows 7 gets completely adopted by consumers. In terms of time frame, if Windows 8 is released by mid 2012, it would come about three years after the release of Windows 7. But before that, Microsoft will certainly release Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2 for Windows 7. What groundbreaking features would you like to see in Windows 8?