Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 on Oct. 26, and it doesn't plan to cushion the impact. Computer companies will make Windows 8 standard on practically all PCs that are sold to consumers.

Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 on Oct. 26, and it doesn t plan to cushion the impact. Computer companies will make Windows 8 standard on practically all PCs that are sold to consumers.

Not anymore. Microsoft allowed users to boot directly into the Desktop version of Windows 8 (by using a short cut) during the Release Preview of the OS.