Windows 8 is starting to become history, as after a brief presence, it is heading towards retirement. It is a fact, Microsoft has stopped all retail sales of its operating system.
Starting October 31st, retailers will no longer be able to pre-order Windows 8 and will be selling what they already have in stock. So if anyone gets Windows 8, it will be because they bought a new computer. The operating system, which was released just two years ago, on October 26th, 2012, is starting to be phased out as Microsoft prepares Windows 10, which is expected to be released in the middle of next year.
The company has stated that it will continue to support the operating system until January 2023. Windows 8 brought significant changes to the classic Windows look and feel that we all knew, but that wasn't necessarily a good thing. Many reacted by working on the new UI that Microsoft launched, as it was more for touchscreens than for classic computers with a keyboard and mouse.
Therefore, users were probably most upset by the news of the retirement of Windows 7 (Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, and Ultimate) which are no longer available for purchase and installation on new computers by manufacturers.
Only sales of Windows 7 Professional will continue, and Microsoft has stated that it will continue to support it for one year after sales end.
