REPORT: Windows 8 Hits Milestone 2

The latest build of Windows 8 is supposedly 6.2.7904.0.101216-1845, indicating that Microsoft is currently working to reach Milestone 3.

In a short-but-sweet report, Russian website winreview.ru-- translated by Windows 8 Beta-- claims that Windows 8 Milestone 2 has already been compiled. The next milestone is expected to be completed by the end of February 2011.

According to the report, Microsoft recently compiled the build of 6.2.79xx.0.winmain_win8m2.xxxxxx-xxxx (Milestone 2). This build follows Windows 7 Post-RTM (6.1.77xx.0.winmain.xxxxxx-xxxx) and Windows 8 Milestone 1 (6.2.78xx.0.winmain_win8m1.xxxxxx-xxxx). The report also indicates that build 6.2.7904.0.101216-1845 was just compiled on December 16, 2010, indicating that the company is currently pushing to complete Milestone 3.

The development of Windows 8 hasn't been a real big secret, however Microsoft has done a fine job in keeping the details under wraps. Naturally that hasn't stopped the press from passing rumors back and forth-- those which include cloud-based accounts and backups, a UI called "Wind" that allegedly creates a 3D desktop, a modular design that allows Microsoft to remove sections for tablet and smartphone use and more.

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is expected to present a keynote speech at CES 2011 the night of January 5, showcasing the company's consumer technologies. Microsoft is also expected to hold a press conference that afternoon prior to Ballmer's speech. The new OS is expected to be revealed at either event.