I think I just pulled a Joe Namath!
Microsoft has announced the RTM of Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.
Windows Server 2012 will be GA on September 4th. Microsoft will be having a virtual launch event, as you might have figured out already by some tweeted studio pictures 
Here are two recent blog posts on Windows Server 2012:
- Licensing in detail, including the editions comparison
- Virtualisation licensing scenarios
Windows 8 will be GA on October 26th. The Windows Store is open for business … but I figured that out too Here’s the release dates for the Windows 8 bits:
- MSDN: August 15th
- TechNet: August 15th
- VLSC with Software Assurance: August 16th
- The Partner Network: August 16th … when my work PC will be upgraded
- Volume License Resellers: September 1st … when we’ll be selling it to businesses
Windows Server 2012 will be “available to our volume licensing customers in the next couple of weeks”. I guess it’s the same time frame as Windows 8.
And yes, this means that Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and Windows 8 Client Hyper-V which are included in those operating systems, has RTMd. Hyper-V Server 2012 has not RTMd. It usually follows a while afterwards. My guess it will RTW on or just after September 4th.
On the Windows 8 public testing:
Over 16 million PCs actively participated in these programs, including approximately 7 million on the Release Preview that started 8 weeks ago. The depth and breadth of testing validate the readiness of Windows 8 for the market.
Congratulations to the groups and teams of program managers, designers, developers, testers, and so on. This is a huge release. I’m lucky because as an MVP I get direct interaction with some of the PMs. I saw how rightly proud they were of the work that they’d done in such a short time frame. Enjoy the celebrations and the time off, folks!
OK, so that’s done. When is Windows 9 out? Will it have a Start Menu 