Windows 8 Codename

The official codename for the successor to Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system. While the Windows 8 codename may end up being the actual name chosen for the next generation operating system, Microsoft will more than likely take a different route, as the company considers its “Metro” user interface-based OS more of a revolutionary upgrade over Windows 7 than simply an evolutionary release. As a result, Microsoft is unlikely to simply give the new operating system an incremental version number.

WEBOPEDIA FACTOID

A codename is generally used to identify a project while it is still in development. Codenames can be anything from a version number to the name of a dinosaur, a place or even a type of cereal or favorite snack food. Usually a codename will change when the developing company releases the commercial product.

The successor to the Windows 7 Server operating system also features the Windows Server 8 codename, which is expected to be officially released as Windows Server 2012. Final releases of the regular and server operating systems are expected to arrive in late 2012, and preview releases of both OSes are currently available for download from Microsoft.