Windows 8 Releases to Manufacturing (RTM), GA on October 26th, 2012

UPDATE: Microsoft just announced that Windows 8 RTM build has been compiled which means Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing. Thanks Asrin475.

When we posted this topic, rumors were coming that Windows 8 will be RTMed in April 2012. After a few months another rumor came that Microsoft will release RTM version of Windows 8 in first week of July 2012.

But now Microsoft has officially posted about RTM release of Windows 8. According to an official post by Microsoft at Blogging Windows blog, Microsoft has released Windows 8 to manufacturing on August 1st, 2012 which means the development and testing of Windows 8 is complete now. Windows 8 RTM build number is 9200.16384.win8_rtm.120725-1247.

Advertisement

Windows_8

TechNet and MSDN subscribers will be able to download final version of Windows 8 on August 15th, 2012.

Microsoft Partner Network members and customers with existing Microsoft Software Assurance for Windows will be able to download Windows 8 Enterprise edition through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC) on August 16th, 2012.

Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) will receive access to Windows 8 on August 20th, 2012.

On September 1st, 2012, Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers.

GA (general availability) of Windows 8 RTM will be on October 26th, 2012. So you’ll get your hands on Windows 8 final version in October 2012.

If you are planning to purchase a Windows 8 or Windows RT PC, you’ll need to wait till October 2012. Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.

Advertisement

Microsoft has also released RTM version of Windows Server 2012 and it’ll be generally available in September 2012 one month earlier than Windows 8 GA.

At the moment Release Preview (Release Candidate) versions of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 are available absolutely free to download which will give you a clear idea about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 new features and components. Interested users can download them using following link:

Download Windows 8 Release Preview

Also check out our exclusive review of Windows 8 at following link:

[Windows 8 Review] What’s New in Windows 8?

So what do you think about Windows 8 RTM? Is it too early to finalize Windows 8? Are you satisfied with Release Preview version? Do you think Windows 8 is ready for final release? Feel free to share your opinion in your comment…

Published in: Windows 8

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. I hope win8 rtm will be on a p2p site…….error 324 on my chrome while trying to load facebook,youtube.Please help….VG

  2. I’ll pass. Nothing I’ve seen of Windows 8 makes me want to run it on a desktop or laptop PC. Metro is a huge, ugly mistake, as is Microsoft’s arrogant insistence on forcing it onto us. Desktops are not tablets; trying to make them that way is stupid and an insult to their users (but when has that ever stopped them?). Thankfully, third parties are starting to correct these deficiencies with the release of the Power 8 Start menu; find a way to permanently disable Metro (or force the standard desktop to appear first) and implement Aero, and maybe… MAYBE… I’ll consider it. Until then, Win8 is WinME (and, to a lesser extent, Vista) as far as I’m concerned: an abomination that should never have been conceived.

  3. ^^Mandeep, same here… ;D

    @Everyone else,
    idc about how Windows 8 look. though Windows 8 Metro is plain ugly and baby-ish looking, i like the Desktop by far (excluding the removal of the Start button).

    @VG,

    hmm… something makes me wonder that ive seen/read this post b4? seems familiar to me…

  4. My only reason why I’m upgrading to Windows 8 is because its performance is faster than Windows 7…the rest about Windows 8 is just uninteresting. I’m a gamer so I only look forward to the performance benefits I can get with Windows 8, not its uninteresting GUI.

  5. Well, I just love Windows 8. The tab interface is just awesome, and helps me read on big screens. The Windows Store will get me the app store in Windows I always wanted (or I’ll get Allmyapps again), and I really don’t miss the Start orb.

  6. First of all Windows 8 is faster than any other Windows ever built. It is smooth and crisp. Many of us will surely feel uncomfortable with no start button and over ambitious Metro screen.
    It is anyway worth of upgrade.

  7. Windows 8 is nice because of the Windows Store and Metro-interface, but older people definitly won’t know how to use it at all. I’ll stick with Windows 7.

  8. And btw, I’m a young person, not an older person. My grandma doesn’t even know how to use Windows Vista and 7.

  9. No absolutely not. it needs tonnes and tonnes of modification , specially to the look . really !!

  10. So disappointed about Windows 8. Didn’t like the interface starting from boot screen to the complex ugly method of shutting down.Wonder if MS has thought for a while if it is really good.Not having the excitement what I had for Windows 7.God help them.

  11. Windows 8 is crap for desktop pc.
    Windows 7 is one of the best OS.And now Microsoft confirm they have sold 630 million Windows 7 licenses and more than 50% of corporations are now running the platform.It’s blockbuster OS after Windows Xp.

  12. @TheWin7Freak,

    same here for my mom, except that she decently ok at Windows Vista. However by the time of Windows 7, she’s all screwed up. My dads sorta the opposite. That’s why [for both] i recommended them to just to stay at win7 and vista, and not upgrade to 8, because I was afraid that Win8’s new GUI will become plain HELL for them to try.

  13. What I want is, windows 8 auto detect if the pc not support touch screen it use desktop version and when it support touch screen it turn to metro style in first startup, or have setting which want users want to use it. Ms please make start button available for final release

  14. well, In my opinion windows 8 is good but for tablets…..the UI is mainly for touch not for a mouse or trackpad I think that windows 8 is an other winVista so thats all i can say…. and i’ll stay with 7

  15. Can you make a point clear to me.

    I have buy my workstation without (I am using Server window who I already have).

    Now do you know how to get win 8. I means am I applicable to upgrade from 2008 r2 web server to win 8 or I need to buy full copy. do you know the price in INR.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.