Wondering when you can get your hands on Windows 8? Here's the schedule.
Exactly two months after the Microsoft made the Windows 8 Release Preview available for download, the company has released its upcoming OS to manufacturers.
In early July, at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, Steve Ballmer confirmed that Windows 8 was set to reach RTM status the first week of August. In a move reminiscent of the somewhat early availability of the Release Preview in late May, Windows 8 was released to manufacturing August 1, at the earliest possible moment Baller said it would happen.
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When Microsoft releases an OS to manufacturing, it means development and testing of the final code is complete, and Microsoft’s OEM partners will be able to use it to ready upcoming Windows 8-based systems. As Steve Sinofsky put it on the Building Windows 8 blog, “Today marks an important milestone in the Windows 8 project. The Windows 8 team is proud to share with you that a short while ago we started releasing Windows 8 to PC OEM and manufacturing partners. This means our next milestone will be the availability of exciting new models of PCs loaded with Windows 8.”
Windows 8 RTM’s Start Screen. (Image Source: windowsteamblog.com)
The initial rollout of Windows 8 isn’t solely for OEMs, however. Developers and IT pros will (officially) be able to get their hands on the OS in a couple of weeks as well. According to the Windows Team Blog, the availability for other Microsoft partners will be:
- August 15th: Developers will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via MSDN subscriptions.
- August 15th: IT professionals testing Windows 8 in the enterprise will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through 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).
- 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.
If you’re in the market for a new PC or plan to upgrade your existing system though, you still won’t be able to pick up a copy of Windows 8 until October 26th. But when you do, the upgrade price for existing systems will be $39.99. If you plan to buy an eligible Windows 7 PC before then, you should be able to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 through the Windows Upgrade Offer website.
Although there’s been no shortage of controversy and surprises during Windows 8’s development cycle, Microsoft has been nothing if not confident throughout. From the extreme openness of the Windows 8 blog to the earlier-than-expected availability of beta code, and now the quick release to manufacturing, it would seem that Microsoft’s trying its best to exude confidence with this release.
I find it curious that the most significant UI changes, which were only disclosed a few weeks ago, were never made available before the OS was RTM, but what’s done is done. Now we wait for the masses to get their hands on the OS and find out if it’s really the catastrophe some have made it out to be.
