Windows 8 to Ship Just in Time for Halloween Shopping

Earlier this month, Microsoft promised to ship Windows 8 sometime in October. Today, it announced the official date of the operating system’s arrival: October 26, 2012.

Speaking during Microsoft’s annual sales meeting, Steven Sinofsky, president of the company’s Windows division, said the next generation OS will arrive at market on that Friday little more than three months from now, along with a number of PCs equipped with it. No word yet on whether Surface will be one of them, but it’s certainly possible.

For users with laptops and desktops running Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will cost $40. Purchase the OS at a retail store and it will set you back $70. Those are promotional prices, though, and are only good until January 31, 2013.

[Image credit: Windows Blog]