Windows 8 has reached the RTM milestone

[samit]

Source: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/.../windows-8-has-reached-the-rtm-milestone.aspx

Today, I am excited to announce that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM)! This means we’ve completed the product development and testing of the product and have started handing off the final code to our OEM partners. They can now begin preparing new Windows 8 PCs and devices they’ll introduce starting with General Availability. For more on RTM, I suggest reading this blog post from Steven Sinofsky on the Building Windows 8 blog.

People will be able get Windows 8 starting on October 26th either by upgrading for $39.99 or on a new PC or device. And if you buy an eligible Windows 7 PC today, you will be able to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 (U.S.) through the Windows Upgrade Offer.

However, we have a number of programs that provides various audiences early access to the Windows 8 RTM code to help prepare for Windows 8 as it enters the marketplace this fall:

August 15th: Developers will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via your MSDN subscriptions.
August 15th: IT professionals testing Windows 8 in organizations will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through your TechNet subscriptions.
August 16th: Customers with existing Microsoft Software Assurance for Windows will be able to download Windows 8 Enterprise edition through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC), allowing you to test, pilot and begin adopting Windows 8 Enterprise within your organization.
August 16th: Microsoft Partner Network members will have access to Windows 8.
August 20th: Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) receive access to Windows 8.
September 1st: Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers.

Please note: if a program you are in is not mentioned, please be patient as dates for Windows 8 RTM code availability for other programs will be communicated when the information becomes available.

 

[McLovin]

Windows 8 Reportedly Hits Gold, RTM Build Already Signed Off

Windows 8, the next major platform release from Microsoft, is getting closer to its official release date on October 26th, with the final touches already applied to it.

Rumor has it that the operating system has already hit gold, and that Microsoft has signed off the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) build.

Initially expected to be Build 8888.16384.win8_rtm.120724-1555, Windows 8 reportedly reached the new milestone as Build 9200.16384.win8_rtm.120725-1247.

Apparently, Microsoft signed the build off on July 25th, 2012, and is getting ready to have it available for download for all MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

The Gold status of Windows 8 comes at around the same date as Windows 7’s RTM version three years ago, although Microsoft did not make an official announcement on the matter for the time being.

No specific info on when the RTM flavor of Windows 8 will be released to MSDN and TechNet subscribers is available yet.

However, Microsoft did say that the move would be made in early August, and all is expected to go down as soon as this week.

Windows 8 RTM will bring along a variety of changes when compared to the pre-release flavors of the platform that have been available for download until now.

Among them, we can count a series of graphical modifications, including the lack of Aero on the desktop, the addition of new Start Screen patterns, a new default wallpaper and lockscreen image, and more.

Also starting with the RTM version, paid applications will begin to emerge in Windows Store, the software portal that accompanies the OS and which includes Metro-style apps.

Starting with October 26th, Windows 8 will be available on shelves on both x86 and ARM-based computers, just as Microsoft unveiled previously.

Dubbed Windows RT, the ARM version of the platform will not offer support for legacy applications, confining users to using only Metro-style apps. It won’t offer support for the Desktop mode either.

Source

 

[iScream]

They forgot to add a date for early access, the leak. ;O

 

[Deleted member 178]

They forgot to add a date for early access, the leak. ;O

already available ^^