Windows 8 release in October 2012

[Antony]

During Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 is on track to RTM (Release to Manufacturing) in the first week of August. For enterprise customers with Software Assurance benefits, they will have full access to Windows 8 as early as August.
For general public, the exciting Windows 8 will be available by the end of October.

Like Apple's Mac App Store, there will be Windows Store for digital distribution for developers to distribute both free and paid applications.

(source)

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[DJGM]

As I recall, Windows XP was released for general retail availability in stores on Thursday 25th October 2001.
Coincidentally, 25th October this year also lands on a Thursday, so I wouldn't be too surprised if the boxed
version of Windows 8 appears on retail shelves in stores precisely 11 years after Windows XP did.

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