When Will Windows 8 Be Released?

Last week, Windows 8 user interface screenshots hinting Metro UI inspiration were leaked. Microsoft had released the Windows 8 Milestone 3 build to limited number of hardware partners. Rafael Rivera, Windows Hacker and Paul Thurrott, Windows IT Pro editor, got their hands on some exclusive images of the Window 8 pre-beta builds and posted an image of Windows 8 Welcome Screen and also the Windows Explorer that sports the Ribbon User Interface used so far in Office products and MS Paint.

Microsoft is on course for the next version of Windows. But it will take about two years before 'Windows 8' on the market." Winrumors.com grabbed and translated the post, and CNET took a screenshot of the text, which unsurprisingly disappeared shortly after the news stole headlines. Now Microsoft is back to being tight-lipped about Windows 8 and its expected release.

Reports from last year suggested Microsoft was building a 128-bit version of its OS, which could very likely be Windows 8. More recently, NetworkWorld acquired more than 15 confidential slide decks detailing possible additions, including body-sensing features similar to the Xbox Kinect, a desktop app store like Apple's forthcoming Mac App Store, near-instant CPU booting, and a focus on powering tablets.