Microsoft to release four editions of Windows 8

Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET

Updated 1:43 p.m. ET

(CBS News) Microsoft confirmed its next operating system is officially called Windows 8 and will come in four editions.

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The four editions of Microsoft's new operating system are Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Enterprise. In comparison, there are currently six editions of Windows 7: Home Premium, Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, Starter, and Home Basic.

Windows 8 and Window 8 Pro are for x86-64 computers and tablets, running on AMD64 or Intel 64 chips. Features of the new operating system include mail and calendar apps,  Internet Explorer 10 and the option to switch between touch screen, keyboard or mouse.

Take note that upgrades for Windows 8 are available from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium. Windows 8 Pro users can upgrade from Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate.

Windows RT is for computers and tablets running on the ARM processor. This is a brand new addition to the Windows family, so no upgrade is available and you can't purchase the software separately. Windows RT is expected to only be available pre-installed on computers and tablets.

Windows Enterprise is the final edition of the new operating system. This version of Windows is expected to have all features of Windows 8, "plus features for IT organization that enable PC management and deployment, advanced security, virtualization, new mobility scenarios, and much more."

Microsoft has yet to confirm a release date for Windows 8, however, a consumer preview is available. Previous rumors placed the operating system's release date around October 2012. Full details of WIndows 8 features can be found at the Microsoft website.

As far as a Windows 8 release date goes, a Microsoft spokesperson told CBS News there was "nothing to share on timing."

14 Photos

11 cool features on Microsoft Windows 8 for tablets

[rwsmith29456]

Win 7 works and does what I need. I don't have a tablet, iphone any other hand held device. No kneed jerk upgrade for me. I've been burned too many times due to MS putting out products that need fixing right out of the box.

[Superabound1]

How do these people not realize that shackling desktop PCs to the massive limitations of mobile devices is a huge step BACKWARDS for PCs?

If i wanted my computer to be as ****** as a phone, i would have bought a smartphone. The UI looks absolutely hideous as well.

Oh well, at least Windows 7 is great. Guess ill be using it for the next 10 years.

[ugh_Oo]

As looking at Windows 8, no doubt it's gonna be another flop like Vista. I'll stick to my Win7.

[foo8259]

"I'm still trying to figure out why the Microsoft geniuses responsible for Hotmail can't just put the word "print" back in the row of commands instead of the idiotic little icon they substituted." -- fwd23515 ... Well, because Microsoft thinks they know better than you, you -- the user of their 'OS'. They think they know what you want, that's why Windows paths always default back to "My Documents?" It's for your own good! I say, if you must do Windows, just spring the $$$ and give Win-8 a go; if you don't like it, and you don't need any Win-centric software, such as the IE browser or Widows only games, just install kubuntu linux. Linux is a great OS and it's free, just download it!

[barbaram99]

I have games that play in the windows OS plus greeting card software that for windows..On my Old Notebook I have linux as well as Vista..Is there a way to get them to work in ubuntu

[barbaram99]

I hear ye on XP..I have no need to move to Win 7 or 8..I am using Vista Home Preumum..Have since 08..In Vista the words are with the icons..I know what each icon is by sight..As a legally blind person I use icons more..I don't use youch displays as they are useless. The games I have installed on my PCs worked in XP 32 bit fine..The ones that work in Vista are installed that I play..I am not keen on learning another OS..My home and Notebook are 64 bit. My old Notebook is 32 bit-was a XP machine now Vista..
All it is a money thing..Every 3 or so years they change OS and so things don't work in the new OS and ye have to buy everything all over.I can't afford a speech reader that would read every thing to me and I would need it on all my machines..I read both the print and use the icons ..
It is true it was sad when XP was retired..I don't miss MS Sam. I like MS Anna which is not on XP and I perfer Vista ...

[tmittelstaed]

This is beta software, if you want to beta test do it - but it's full of bugs right now and the Metro interface is drawing lots of complaints. I would be surprised if it stays.

[fwd23515]

More idiotic icons.

Icons are cool, trendy, flashy, and pretty. They also are harder for your brain to process than words.

Think I'm kidding? Look at your car's warning lights. You can understand "temperature" or "check engine" faster than you can decipher the symbol for those things.

I'm still trying to figure out why the Microsoft geniuses responsible for Hotmail can't just put the word "print" back in the row of commands instead of the idiotic little icon they substituted.

I'm sick of pointless flash. Create software that is easier to use.

[foo8259]

"I'm sick of pointless flash. Create software that is easier to use." I'm mad too Eddie. One reason I don't want anything from Adobe or Real on my computers! Microsoft thinks they know better than you, the end user of their 'OS' -- they [think they] know what you want, isn't that why Windows paths or clicks always take you back to "My Documents?" It's for your own good! I think, if you must do Windows, just spring the $$$ and give Win-8 a go; if you don't like it, and you don't need any Win-centric software, such as the IE browser or Widows only games, just install kubuntu linux. Linux is a great OS and it's free, just download it!

[rayward73446]

I have five computers that run XP pro, Vista and windows 7 home premium. The latest operating system versions that Microsoft has developed, Vista and Windows 7, are moving away from user satisfaction by becoming redundant, harder to use, and simply are developed only to make more profit for Microsoft. By far Windows XP Professional is the best of the lot. I have a copy of Windows 8 Beta, but I probably will never install because Microsoft seems to forget what som the best features are,from previous versions, and fail to include them in new versions. You would think that the people developing new windows systems would be a little smarter than most of the rest of us, but they surely don't show that, by using what works really well in newer versions. Most manufacturers of products, digital or otherwise always seek to improve their products in new versions. Why is that not the case for Microsoft? Vista was a failure in every regard, but Windows 7 contined with most of it's features placed into Win 7. Maybe it's just time to buy a Mac.

[5345637457845673]

Looks cool. When is Adobe going to work up a version of it's CS programs that will work on a touch screen?

[Superabound1]

As far as i know they already do. Photoshop at least has been designed with touchscreens and drawing tablets in mind for years. But good luck getting any kind of image editing done on a 4 inch screen.

[nmfaxman]

More bells and whistles.
More things to go wrong.