Microsoft revealed on Tuesday that it plans to hold its next Professional Developers Conference in September.

Windows chief Steven Sinofsky revealed the date during a keynote appearance at Microsoft’s MIX11 conference on Tuesday. The company plans to hold PDC 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California during September 13-16. Sinofsky also demonstrated Internet Explorer 10 running on a next-generation version of Windows using ARM chips. Sinofsky’s further demonstration of an ARM based version of Windows follows a demo earlier this year. Microsoft held a special press event at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January to introduce a technology preview of Microsoft’s Windows ARM support and show off an early build of Windows 8. Microsoft is partnering with ARM-based manufactures NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments to produce new tablet devices.

Microsoft has started distributing copies of Windows 8 to key OEMs recently. The company is expected to deliver its first beta copy of Windows 8 at PDC 11 in September. Microsoft is currently working on a Windows 8 “immersive” tablet user experience. However, the company may introduce Windows 8 ARM based tablets ahead of a full desktop release. Microsoft’s competitive tablet strategy is believed to be further along than expected. Dell’s recently leaked Tablet Roadmap revealed that the OEM has marked Q1 2012 as its date for a Windows 8 based slate. Sinofsky’s confirmation of a PDC in September will lay to rest any rumors of a Windows 8 beta during the Summer period.

Microsoft is expected to share a sneak peek at its Tablet UI plans during May. Microsoft has a habit of introducing new technologies at the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital Conference, which will run from May 31 to June 2 this year. Bill Gates introduced Microsoft’s Surface computer in 2007 and the company demonstrated Windows 7 multitouch in 2008. It’s possible that Microsoft might be planning to demonstrate a technology preview of Windows 8 Tablets at the conference this year.

All eyes are now on September for what Microsoft has to offer. An early Milestone 1 build of Windows 8 leaked to the Internet this week. The build contains some early work on Microsoft’s “Immersive” tablet experience and some Aero changes. The build is an early sample of Microsoft’s work with Windows 8 and does not reflect the current state of winmain builds. As the build was compiled in late September it has since expired and those wishing to experiment with it will need to turn their BIOS clocks back.

Windows 8 watchers have been treated to several leaks of screenshots and information over the past few weeks. Here’s a summary of some of the key stories:

• Microsoft working on new Windows 8 activation protection
• Windows 8: Automatic Aero colorization based on wallpapers
• Windows 8: Immersive Tablet tile UI and PDF reader revealed
• Windows 8 Metro UI welcome screen and Ribbon screenshots leak
• New Windows 8 screenshots leak, including updated wallpaper
• Windows 8 to include its own Time Machine rival, History Vault
• Windows 8 to feature SmartScreen file checking security

WinRumors will be live from PDC 2011 so stay tuned for further Windows 8 news in the coming months as we prepare for the next-generation of Windows.

Image Credit: Long Zheng (Flickr)