Microsoft today confirmed that Windows 8 will be released to manufacturing (RTM) the first week of August. It will then hit stores in late October along with the first devices to run the operating system. The announcement came today at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference taking place in Toronto, Canada. It is the most specific timeline Microsoft has given yet for the release.
RTM means that Microsoft will have completed the coding of Windows 8 and will turn over the operating system to its partners for them to load onto their new devices. Any subsequent changes will need to be released likely as patches or feature packs.
Windows RT, the ARM-based version of Windows 8 intended primarily for tablets, is expected to launch at the same time.
Read more: The Verge