Windows 8 RTM to Hit in July 2011
While we're all basking in the warm, sunny glow of Windows 7, it's no secret that Microsoft is already working on Windows 8. However, a recent roadmap shows that the next iteration of Windows could arrive sooner than you think.
Late last year a roadmap shown at PDC 2009 revealed Windows 8 would see a "~2012" release. While that little tilde before 2012 had us believing it would be more like the first half of 2013 and Microsoft was just affording itself some wiggle-room, it looks like we'll see the OS sooner than 2012.
A former Microsoft employee by the name of Chris Green recently posted a visual graph detailing Microsoft's product lifecycle index. As msftkitchen points out, this graph contains an awful lot of information that can already be found from Microsoft's Support Lifecycle Index. However, Green has mentioned some things that aren't listed on the MS Lifecycle Index; namely dates for Windows 8, Windows 8 Server and Office 15.
Green's graph have Windows 8 RTM down for July 1, 2011, with mainstream support from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2016 and extended support from 2016 to July, 2021.
Office 15 is pegged for a July 2, 2012 RTM; mainstream support from 2012 to June 30, 2017 and extended support from July 3, 2017 to July 5, 2022.
Green has Microsoft Server 8 down for the same dates. So that's a July 2, 2012 RTM with mainstream support from 2012 to June 30, 2017 and extended support from July 3, 2017 to July 5, 2022.
Green left Microsoft on January 12, at least, that's when he blogged about his leaving Microsoft. However, the update that has everyone talking was posted on December 9, presumably while he was still a Redmond employee.
You can view his roadmap here (PDF warning).
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hmmmm, why are they so eager to replace what is pretty much the best OS we have had for a long time. unless win 8 comes with its own set of naked hot women what features will it have that we will need in under 2 years time what win 7 doesnt have?
I assume they're trying to get back into the routine of more regular minor OS updates every two to three years rather than a massive gap with huge problems as occured between XP and Vista.
I love my windows 7, I will never replace it till windows 10 or 9.
With lots of people using XP / Server 2003 with no plans to move this is a waste of time.
If we look at Microsoft's history of OS releases, 8 will be complete shit compared to 7.
I guess they wanna make more money.
#mildiner86 - May I ask what Windows 7 has, that XP doesnt have. The ordinary user can run exactly the same programs in Windows XP and Windows 7. Peaople tend to forget that. Remember that the operating system is only a shell, that runs the 'real' programs that you buy and use.
OH MY #%&*#%&#&
Can microsoft please choose an OS and make it PERFECT before moving onto a different toy!
What a waste of money, they are trying to keep up with the car industry, a new OS every 3 years, seriously, wtf!
I refuse to buy an OS if they keep doing that.