Microsoft has officially set a date for the release of their newest OS version which is Windows 8. The official release date for Windows 8 is set to be in October, 2012.

Steve Ballmer, the Chief Executive for Microsoft revealed this information during the annual gathering of gadget markers and other partners in Toronto, Canada.

Balmer remarked that "It is simply the biggest deal for this company in at least 17 years. It's the glue, it's the foundation of everything Microsoft is built on." Brandon LeBlanc, the Communications Manager for Microsoft also confirmed that "Windows 8 is on track to release to manufacturing (RTM) the first week of August and will reach general availability by the end of October."

Microsoft added that the Windows 8 OS will be available in August for computer, tablets, and smartphone makers to utilize it into hardware. Windows 8 is available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.

Before this official announcement, Microsoft dicussed Windows 8 in their latest blog post which offers users a chance to upgrade to Windows 8 for a low price of US$40 for a limited time period. The blog post mentioned that PCs that are running Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are now eligible for availing the upgrade to Windows 8. The upgrade is available for 131 markets and would only cost US$39.99. This promotion would only last up until January 31, 2013 and is only limited to purchases made through its website (windows.com). An upgrade for a packaged DVD for Windows 8 Pro would cost around US$70 during the duration of the promo period. The blog also mentioned that users with Windows XP can only keep personal files and users with Windows Vista can keep their settings and personal files. As for users with Windows 7, they can upgrade from any consumer edition and could keep their setting, personal files, and applications.

The last major update for Windows OS was also last October, 2009 through Windows 7. Ever since the release of Windows 7 in the market, Microsoft revealed that it has sold more than 630 million licenses of Windows 7 and it is utilized in the majority of business desktop computers. Windows 8 is the latest OS version from Microsoft and the company hopes to expand this OS beyond desktop computers as it is aggressively integrating this OS to tablets and smartphones.