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Windows 8 revealed - special report

After years of development, Microsoft has finally taken the wraps off its next operating system, Windows 8. Designed to work on both tablets and PCs, the OS appears to be Microsoft's first step in freeing itself from the desktop - with heavy emphasis on touch and the new "Metro" style apps.

Latest stories:

Windows 8 features:

Most recent news and more: (chronological)

Places to visit:
Mary Jo Foley: All About Microsoft
Ed Bott: The Ed Bott Report
Microsoft blog: Building Windows 8

Great Debate:

Windows right vs. Windows wrong

Polls

What are your plans for the Windows 8 beta?
You decide whether Windows 8 will be a success or a failure

More stories:

Windows 8 features:

Gallery: A deeper dive into Windows 8

Additional news and more: (chronological)

CES 2012: Razer Project Fiona is a Windows 8 tablet for PC gaming

Microsoft SharePoint 15: A 2012 release target, an app marketplace and more

Microsoft is adding new features to the next versions (Wave 15) of its SharePoint Server and SharePoint Online offerings. Here are early looks at some of those.

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Microsoft adds another Facebook tie-in to Bing search

Microsoft is adding another Facebook-linked feature to Bing known as Linked Pages.

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Microsoft files antitrust patent complaint in EU against Motorola

In the latest round in the never-ending patent wars, Microsoft has filed an antitrust complaint in the EU over Motorola Mobility's video-patent-licensing terms.

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What's on tap for Microsoft's Dynamics CRM 'R9' update later this year

Microsoft is leaning toward adding more social analytics and data-enrichment components to its Dynamics CRM update due in the latter half of this year.

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How to parse a Microsoft denial

Microsoft's response to The Daily's latest Office on iPad story provides a lesson in how to interpret Microsoft's official responses to information the company isn't ready to share.

Read More »

Windows 8 unveiled

Microsoft has officially taken the wraps off of Windows 8, unveiling its radically revised new operating system. I had a chance to get my hands on the new system and here's what you can look forward to.

Videos

News & Blogs

Design a 'better' Windows 8 logo, win 300 dollars

A "for fun" contest is being held to find a designer who can create a better Windows 8 logo than the one Microsoft recently unveiled. Thought it's for fun, it's also going to be for profit for the...

February 21, 2012 | 8:27 AM PST
Apple's secret weapon against Windows 8 (and why OS X 10.8 will be Apple's most important OS release since iOS)

But that secret weapon isn't what you think it is.

February 20, 2012 | 1:07 PM PST
You know what I'm excited about? Windows 8.

Is Windows 8 the most hated operating system yet? I don't care. I'm excited about it.

February 20, 2012 | 11:30 AM PST
How Microsoft SkyDrive will morph from a Web site to cloud service with Windows 8

Microsoft is working to turn SkyDrive into a true cloud storage service with a new Windows 8 SkyDrive app and integration.

February 20, 2012 | 9:18 AM PST
5 reasons I dislike the new Windows 8 logo

I don't like the new Windows 8 logo. At all. Here are 5 reasons why.

February 18, 2012 | 7:37 PM PST
What problem does Windows 8 solve?

Windows 8 is intended to be Microsoft's platform that does everything for everyone. The problem is it doesn't solve anyone's problems, so who will need it?

February 18, 2012 | 7:58 AM PST
Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way

The Windows 8 logo gives me a window, but I want to jump out of it.

February 17, 2012 | 10:31 AM PST
New Windows 8 logo: It's a window, not a flag

Here's the new Windows 8 logo. The Metro-inspired image actually looks like a window, not a flag.

February 17, 2012 | 10:14 AM PST
Will Microsoft follow Apple and revert to its former disclosure playbook?

Apple is trying a 'new' disclosure tact with its latest Mac OS X release. Will Microsoft follow suit with Windows, going forward?

February 16, 2012 | 9:12 AM PST
Nvidia's Tegra 3 plan: Superphones, Android tablets soon, Windows 8 later

The bet for Nvidia is that its Tegra 3 sales will surge with superphone unveilings at the Mobile World Congress in a few weeks, followed by steady design wins leading up to Windows 8.

February 16, 2012 | 8:25 AM PST
Microsoft CFO: Cross-platform services key to Microsoft's Windows 8 iPad-compete plans

Microsoft's CFO said common consumer and business services running on Windows 8 and other devices will give Microsoft leverage against its tablet competitors.

February 15, 2012 | 2:38 PM PST
Windows 8's five biggest enemies

There are lots of reasons why I think Windows 8 will having trouble finding acceptance. A major one is that Windows 8 will face more competition than ever before. Here are Windows 8's biggest rivals.

February 15, 2012 | 12:52 PM PST
Five ways Windows 8 could fail

Here are five concerns that I still have related to Microsoft's next version of Windows.

February 15, 2012 | 9:57 AM PST
How and when will enterprise apps be made Windows 8-ready?

Line-of-business application developers -- including those working at Microsoft -- have two possible paths to follow to make their Metro-style apps Windows 8 compatible.

February 13, 2012 | 1:03 PM PST
Office 15 on Windows 8 on ARM: Three guesses how it could work

How might Microsoft deliver the four Office 15 apps that the company is promising to "include" with Windows 8 on ARM tablets and PCs? Here are my best guesses as to how it could happen.

February 13, 2012 | 11:54 AM PST
Mozilla plans Metro-specific Firefox for Windows 8

Mozilla doesn't want to be left out of the Windows 8 Metro fun.

February 13, 2012 | 7:43 AM PST
Three ugly, middle-aged men argue about Windows 8

You will have the unparalleled and unprecedented opportunity to watch us pontificate on the future of Windows 8. Bring popcorn. There will be fireworks.

February 13, 2012 | 5:11 AM PST
Making lame excuses for Microsoft's decision to drop the Start button in Windows 8

Is there method to Microsoft's madness, or is the decision pure madness?

February 10, 2012 | 9:36 AM PST
Microsoft: No plug-ins allowed on Windows on ARM

Microsoft has changed direction and is now disallowing browser plug-ins on Windows 8 on ARM devices, according to a blog post from the president of the Windows division.

February 10, 2012 | 6:21 AM PST
Microsoft gets it right with Windows 8 on ARM, and why Apple should be worried

WOA looks like Windows, quacks like Windows, and is Windows. Microsoft has pulled off what it promised, and has taken its desktop OS and put it across multiple platforms and onto various screen sizes.

February 10, 2012 | 5:05 AM PST