Windows Codename Maryland

 Windows Maryland (as it was codenamed) is an unreleased beta version of Windows 8. Unlike the finished windows 8, Windows Maryland featured a design similar to the likes of Windows 7 and Vista. The operating system was in development from October 2, 2011, to March 17, 2012.

Gradually, Windows Maryland assimilated many of the important new features and technologies slated for "Blackcomb", resulting in the release date being pushed back a few times. Many of Microsoft's developers were also re-tasked with improving the security of Windows 7. Faced with ongoing delays and concerns about feature creep, Microsoft announced on August 27, 2011, that it was making significant changes. Windows Maryland development started afresh, building on the Windows Server 2011 codebase, and re-incorporating only the features that would be intended for an actual operating system release. Some previously announced features, such as WINFS and NGSCB, were dropped or postponed.

After Windows Maryland was named Windows 8 in late-2011, an unprecedented beta-test program was started which involved hundreds of thousands of volunteers and companies. Between September 2005 and October 2006, Microsoft released regular Community Technology Previews (CTP) to beta testers and two release candidates to the general public. Development of Windows 8 concluded on October 26th, 2012, with the announcement of its completion by co-president of Windows development, Jim Allchin.

Windows Maryland featured many new tools, some of which were implemented in Windows 8 and 10. Despite Windows 8 introducing major changes to the software interface, Windows Maryland was going to stay true to the older versions of Microsoft Windows software. This idea was scrapped. Other than this information, not much other is known about this system.

This picture is the only picture known of Windows Maryland, besides the one you see at the top of the page.