After having widely used the word "Metro" to talk about an array of components in its forthcoming OS versions, Windows 8 and Windows RT, for more than a year, Microsoft said in a Friday confirmation that it was dumping "Metro" brand from Windows 8.

In an emailed statement to the effect, a Microsoft spokeswoman said that the prominent buzzword "Metro style" was being used by the company as "a code name during the product development cycle across many of our product lines"; and that the company now intends using "commercial names."

The "Metro" tag was first used by Microsoft to describe the new tile- and typography-rich user interface (UI) for its Windows Phone mobile OS; and, ever since, the "Metro look" has sprung up on the company's Xbox console, its upcoming Windows 8 OS, and even in the layout of PowerPoint slides which Microsoft executives have been using.

About Microsoft's decision to dump the "Metro" name, The Verge revealed in a late Thursday report, citing Microsoft's internal memo which it has supposedly seen, that the software giant has disclosed in an explanation to its employees that its decision to "discontinue the use" of the "Metro" brand was a consequence of "discussions with an important European partner."

The memo - and a similar missive that Microsoft has reportedly dispatched to third-party developers too - further said that a substitute for "Metro" will be introduced soon; and till then the employees will have to use a placeholder phrase --- "Windows 8 style UI."