Microsoft Windows 8 on sale from October 26

Tags: Microsoft | Windows 8 | tablet | PC | touch screen | Windows Phone

 

Microsoft Windows 8 will go on sale on October 26. The upgrade to the technology giant's operating system is designed to work better with touch screens and tablet computers.

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Microsoft announced the date in a blog post and at its annual sales meeting. The software company had earlier said Windows 8 would go on sale in October but not announced a date.

Microsoft will release the software as a downloadable upgrade for PC owners, and let PC makers start selling computers with Windows 8 the same day.

As an upgrade for users of Windows XP, Vista or 7, Windows 8 will cost $40. That's much less than what Microsoft Corp has charged for previous operating system upgrades.

People who bought a Windows 7 computer on June 2 or later can upgrade for $15.

With inputs from Associated Press