Windows 8 public beta reportedly due in February

[beer]

Development of Windows 8 is proceeding nicely by all accounts. In the last two days alone, two interesting updates about the new operating system have emerged – details from Microsoft on how the OS will handle larger data storage devices; and the latest on the Protogon file system, which has now been updated and renamed ReFS.

At its BUILD conference earlier this year, Microsoft released a preview version of Windows 8 to software developers and the public, but the wider availability of a pre-release and more feature complete version of the OS has remained something of a mystery, with Microsoft remaining frustratingly tight-lipped on the subject.

However, sources close to the company have now revealed to The Next Web that a public beta of Windows 8 will be made available at the end of February.

Mobile World Congress kicks off right at the end of February, and it’s unlikely that Microsoft would release the Windows 8 beta there; Windows Phone will surely be the primary focus of the company’s MWC efforts. It’s more likely, therefore, that we’ll see the beta released at least a week earlier, perhaps around February 20 but this is pure speculation at this point if the rumor about a February date holds true.

The exact feature set of the beta has not yet been finalized, but given that it will be a public release, it’s likely to be reasonably complete.

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Can't wait to play with it in VMWare... No like Ribbon everywhere though...

[DKT27]

Windows 8 beta: January or February 2012?

Windows 8 will have a public beta release sometime in early 2012 but the big question is when exactly will the beta build be made available to the waiting masses. Earlier this week, The Next Web claimed that it had learned via unnamed sources that the beta version of Microsoft's next operating system will launch sometime in late February 2012.

Now a new report from WinRumors, once again based on unnamed sources, claims that the beta release for Windows 8 will occur sometime in late January 2012. That time frame may also be used by Microsoft to release a public preview version of "Office 15", the code name for the next version of Microsoft's software productivity suite.

One thing both reports seem to agree on is that Microsoft will show off a demo of the beta Windows 8 version during the Consumer Electronics Show in early January at Las Vegas. Indeed, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be taking the stage to address a crowd at the Venetian Hotel during the evening on January 9, the day before the actual exhibit floor opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Microsoft will more than likely add a number of features to the beta version of Windows 8 compared to the public developer's preview version. That was first released in September as part of Microsoft's BUILD conference. Microsoft is still expected to release the final version of Windows 8 sometime in the second half of 2012.

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[Kalliedog]

This latest news is leaked from a M$ employee:

"And so what we found out:

The first, indeed, the case for promotion to the availability of Windows 8 beta are highly successful, and probably serious delays to achieve the quality of assemblies corresponding to the public beta release will not be!</span>

The second most likely already are in operation escrow build Escrow Windows 8 beta, the process of "signing" (sign-off) Windows 8 beta will begin on December 12, 2011.

8165.0.winmain.111202-1945

8166.0.winmain.111205-1323

8167.0.winmain.111206-1800

8168.0.winmain.111207-1818

8169.0.winmain.111208-1905 - the last date the assembly ...

Now, that with regards to timing of the availability of Windows 8 beta:

- The very future beta build will be collected up to Christmas ie until 24 December 2011, but then which of the collected escrow (Escrow) assemblies will become the official Microsoft Windows 8 Beta will be known only by 13 January 2012.</span>

If you do not have any difficulties, and will not be revealed critical errors, then perhaps that this date is over and the process of "signing" (sign-off) build in Windows 8 beta.

From 10 to January 13, 2012 will be held Consumer Electronics Show CES 2012, this exhibition will fly for the first time (on an interesting devayse) information from a representative of Microsoft on the final Windows 8 Beta.</span>

- On January 30, 2012 in the Microsoft internal conference is scheduled, ie, the global corporate seating which will debut as Microsoft employees and partners of the company official beta version of Microsoft Windows 8 beta.</span>

Likely result of these gatherings and will be "accidental leaks" Microsoft Windows 8 Beta in the world, at least we will try this ...

other dates:

- Windows 8 RC-version - April 2012 will be represented at the event MIX 2012;

- Internal RTM release of Windows 8 may appear in late June - July, ie in the summer of 2012, at the same time, it will be OEM and corporate partners.

Since the introduction of internal RTM release is usually 3 months before the first device and the beginning of RETAIL sales of the product. ie this October - November 2012.

As they say tarot cards started selling Microsoft Windows 8 starts January 14, 2013"