Microsoft is desperately trying to up its hight street presence with retail stores popping up all over the U.S., and soon beyond as well. But with the 2012 holiday season fast approaching, a more temporary fix is being planned.Microsoft already has over 20 retail stores dotted around the U.S., with plans afoot to open many more in the next few years. However, finding suitable sites, obtaining planning permission, and actually kitting out retail stores for permanent residency isn’t a quick or easy process. Which presents a problem when Microsoft is gearing up for a spate of new product launches.Consequently, the company has revealed plans to launch 32 pop-up retail stores in time for the 2012 holiday season. The sites are dotted around North America, with both the U.S. and Canada being treated to a temporary brick-and-mortar Microsoft presence. The locations – listed in full on ZDNet – include Miami, Las Vegas, Vancouver, San Francisco, Edmonton, and New York.It isn’t yet known when these pop-up stores will pop up, with Microsoft giving a vague “this fall” response to the question. But with Windows 8 set to be launched on Oct. 26, it’s safe to assume this date stands as a target, at the very least. If these temporary stores aren’t intended to sell Windows 8 to the public, then what?As well as Windows 8, Microsoft will also be looking to generate interest in its new range of Surface tablets, with the RT version arriving alongside the updated operating system. A retail presence could be vital in persuading mainstream users that not only do they need a tablet in their lives, Windows 8 is the best choice of operating system for that form factor.Microsoft promises to reveal additional details on these pop-up stores in the coming weeks. I hope this includes international locations being added to the list, as Microsoft’s retail outlets have so far been confined to its home continent.Buy Microsoft Office from www.office2010forsale:office 2010microsoft office 2010office 2010 professional