Building on the success of Windows 7, Microsoft has generated plenty of buzz around the "Windows 8" iteration of its desktop platform expected for release in spring 2012. Microsoft is expected to unveil the new Windows 8 in detail tomorrow, but it's been dribbling hints of the new OS for months.

From what the company has shown so far, the developers in Redmond have put much consideration into the latest and greatest changes to Windows, bringing features that should appeal to novice users, power users, and admins alike -- as well as future users of tablets loaded with Windows 8. Among the enhancements: new ribbons that present users with an array of previously hidden commands; improved virtualization features, including baked-in Hyper-V; superior file management; and touchscreen capabilities.

Join us now for InfoWorld's visual tour of what is known today about Windows 8.

Also at InfoWorld.com:

• Analysis: "How Windows 8 could change everything"
• "Windows 8's user interface a touching experience"
• "Microsoft buries two surprises in Windows 8 hype"
• "Windows 8 with Hyper-V will require new hardware"

This slideshow, "Windows 8: A visual tour of what we now know," was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Follow the latest developments on Microsoft Windows at InfoWorld.com.