Windows 8 is the official name for the next generation of Microsoft Windows operating systems developed by Microsoft for PC such as home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet and media center PCs. According to somes sources, t Windows 8 release data has been set for October 2012, three years after Windows 7 was released. Windows 8's server counterpart, Windows Server 2012, is under development simultaneously with Windows 8. Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released on February 29, 2012. An almost-complete Release Preview is scheduled for the first week of June 2012.

Different from Windows 7, which was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the previous Windows Operating systems, Windows 8 has been "restructured from the chipset to the user experience" to relate more with the user. It features the Metro interface which gives users a brand-news experience. A version of Windows 8, called Windows RT, also adds support for the ARM processor architecture besides to Intel and AMD.