As we inch closer to the “First Half of 2010” release date Microsoft had previously announced for Office 2010, more and more details are being announced.  Last week, Microsoft announced a key date for the Worldwide Launch.

For pretty much any new product release I’ve seen from Microsoft, they tend to announce guarantees so if you buy the current version now, you will get the newer version when it’s released.  This guarantee is usually announced at or around the same time Microsoft releases the ship date for the product.  Sure enough, the Technology Guarantee and launch dates are posted.

In April 2010, the products will be released to manufacturing (or as Microsoft calls it RTM’ed).  Microsoft Office 2010 will hold the Worldwide Business Launch on May 12.  It does not say exactly when you can download the software, but I would assume it would be a few days before/after May 12.  The final products will be released to consumers sometime in June 2010.

To get more details on the Technology Guarantee and release dates, visit the Office 2010 Engineering blog:

http://blogs.technet.com/office2010/archive/2010/03/04/get-office-today-or-tomorrow.aspx

-Bill