Microsoft to Launch Visual Studio 11, Windows Server 8 on Feb. 29

Microsoft has announced the launch of its Consumer Preview version of Windows 8 and beta version of Visual Studio 11 on Feb. 29, 2012.

Microsoft has removed a number of "unnecessary" toolbar commands in favor of keyboard shortcuts that the company has found developers typically use. There is also a reduced use of colors in Visual Studio 11, focusing on the content like Microsoft's work with Office 15.

Visual Studio 11 also cuts down on the number of commands that appear on the default version of the program's user interface. It also has improved search features, adds Preview Tabs and uses what Microsoft calls workflow hubs to allow developers to work on programs via a single window. It's not a shock to hear that Visual Studio 11 supports Windows 8.

Windows Server 8 will also launch into beta form next week, offering businesses and enterprises a closer look at the next-generation server for Microsoft's Windows 8 client operating system. The software giant has started to publish certification documentation on MSDN, promising that the majority of applications that currently run on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 "should work" on Windows Server 8 beta. Both Visual Studio 11 and Windows Server 8 betas will be accompanied by an early test copy of .NET Framework 4.5, rounding off next week's developer and consumer releases