Exclusive: Microsoft's Windows 8 packaging revealed

MiciMicrosoft announced the finalization of its Windows 8 operating system last week with some gloriously crazy Start Screen improvements. The final copy may have leaked online already, but if you're waiting to secure an official boxed copy on October 26th then we're able to offer a sneak peek at how Microsoft plans to sell Windows 8. Packaging for Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, the only boxed versions available in retail stores, is a fairly simple affair. Microsoft has chosen to display its Metro style Windows 8 style UI logo prominently on the front of the packaging, with a darker variant for the Windows 8 Pro edition.

Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT will all be available on new PCs and tablets from October 26th, and upgrade versions will be available in stores or as an electronic software download. We understand that the packaging will be largely similar to the existing Windows 7 version, but we'll have to wait until Microsoft officially unveils it to see if the company has put its Windows 8 boxes on a diet — similar to its 37 percent weight loss from Vista to Windows 7.