Accordingly, developers will be able to use C++, C#, or Visual Basic to create Windows desktop and console applications, Somasegar noted; they'll also get access to "the latest compilers and programming language tools, integrated unit testing, and the ability for small development teams to collaborate via Team Explorer and TFS Express."

Perhaps most importantly in this context, the new software--due this fall--will enable developers to create open source applications for existing or previous versions of Windows, Somasegar said.

Following hard on the heels of Microsoft's official last week of a variety of Linux-based operating systems on its Windows Azure cloud service, this latest announcement comes as more encouraging news that the company is recognizing the importance of and in an increasingly heterogeneous computing landscape.

At the very least, it's good news for developers interested in making desktop apps for Windows 8 using the free version of Visual Studio.