Windows 8 is the latest operating system offered by Microsoft. This new operating system adds many unique elements which create a new Windows experience. Developed by Microsoft as part of Windows NT family of operating systems, development of Windows 8 started before the release of its predecessor, Windows 7, in 2009.

It was announced at CES 2011, and followed by the release of three pre-release versions from September 2011 to May 2012. The operating system was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, and was released for general availability on October 26, 2012.