Microsoft said on Wednesday its touch-friendly Windows 8 operating system will be on sale October 26, almost three years after the launch of Windows 7.

This means that users will be able to get Windows 8 - whether in upgrade fashion or on a new PC - starting on October 26th.

Earlier this month at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, Tami Reller told attendees Windows 8 would be available in October, without providing a specific releases date.