In August, images of the two retail box designs that Microsoft was supposed to use for the retail DVD box versions of Windows 8 leaked on the Internet. Microsoft did not confirm or deny the authenticity of the images at the time. Now there"s a new rumor that claims Microsoft will do away with any plans to offer a retail box copy of Windows 8.
According to a report on the Chinese language website WPDang, Microsoft will now only offer an downloadable upgrade for older versions of Windows to Windows 8, or on a disk with a new PC after Windows 8 is launched on October 26th. People who want to build a new PC will also be able to receive a Windows 8 disk via the Personal Use License for System Builder program. We have emailed Microsoft to receive a comment on this new report.
It does seem very odd that Microsoft, with just six weeks to go before the official launch of Windows 8, has yet to officially confirm plans to offer Windows 8 in retail box versions on a DVD disk. However, it perhaps should not be much of a shock if Microsoft is indeed doing away with the traditional retail Windows 8 disk program.
Update: A Microsoft spokesperson referred us to an earlier Windows blog post which said it would offer a retail box upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for older PCs for $69.99 until January 31, 2013.
Source: WPDang | Image via The Verge