windows 8 has gone RTM, will be posted on technet and MSDN august 15

hclarkjr

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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http://news.softpedia.com/news/Wind...old-RTM-Build-Already-Signed-Off-284188.shtml

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.
http://www.dailytech.com/Windows+8+...+October+26+Consumer+Launch+/article25312.htm

Windows 8 hits a milestone

Microsoft announced today that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM). If you've been keeping up with the development of Windows 8, you already know that the official consumer release date for Microsoft's next generation operating system is October 26.

MSDN/TechNet members will get their first crack at Windows 8 on August 15. Members of Microsoft's Software Assurance program will have access one day later. Microsoft Action Pack Providers will be eligible on August 20 and Volume License customers can purchase the operating system on September 1.

As previously reported, customers can upgrade to Windows 8 via download for only $39.99 or $69.99 via a disc. For those that simply can't wait until October 26 to purchase a new computer, Microsoft is offering customers the chance to upgrade to Windows 8 for $14.99 via the Windows Upgrade Offer program.


Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky had this to say about the development of Windows 8:
Back when we first demonstrated Windows 8 in May 2011, we described it as “reimagining Windows, from the chipset to the experience,” and that is what Windows 8 (and Windows RT) represents for both Microsoft and partners. The collective work: from the silicon, to the user experience, to new apps, has been an incredibly collaborative effort. Together we are bringing to customers a new PC experience that readies Windows PCs for a new world of scenarios and experiences, while also preserving an industry-wide 25-year investment in Windows software.

And for those wondering, the final build number for Windows 8 RTM is 9200.16384.win8_rtm.120725-1247
Sources: Microsoft [1], [2]
 
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happysmiles

Senior member
May 1, 2012
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no doubt it will be leaked and someone will post a video with all the things that werent in RP.
 

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
4
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W8 RTM = the same windows8 that will be available to be bought in october? Or will the sold win8 contain some changes too?
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,553
430
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The speculated dates of functional release of Win 8 RTM

MSDN & TechNet - August 15.

Volume licensing & Software Assurance - August 16.

Microsoft Partners - August 16.

Microsoft Action Pack - August 20.

General public October 26, 2012


:cool:
 

hclarkjr

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,375
0
0
The speculated dates of functional release of Win 8 RTM

MSDN & TechNet - August 15.

Volume licensing & Software Assurance - August 16.

Microsoft Partners - August 16.

Microsoft Action Pack - August 20.

General public October 26, 2012


:cool:
thanx Jack
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,225
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Well, I'm quite glad I got in on a deal for two Windows 7 Family Pack boxes for ~$85 each.

Windows 8 is terribad.
 

r3dsh1ft

Member
Jul 31, 2012
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Usually I wait for a service pack 1 to be released before I buy any new windows os. I think Ill probably wait for Windows 9 Sp1. This windows feels like a millennium edition. i will probably hold out till windows 9

as long as everything is not proprietary by then. If windows 9 gets rid of any privacy and or freedom of choice it will be to linux for good this time.
 
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dagamer34

Platinum Member
Aug 15, 2005
2,591
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Usually I wait for a service pack 1 to be released before I buy any new windows os. I think Ill probably wait for Windows 9 Sp1. This windows feels like a millennium edition. i will probably hold out till windows 9

as long as everything is not proprietary by then. If windows 9 gets rid of any privacy and or freedom of choice it will be to linux for good this time.

If Windows starts having yearly releases, which I suspect to update the WinRT APIs in lockstep with Windows Phone 8, I don't think there will be any more service packs. Microsoft cannot wait 3 years for a new OS.
 

althaz

Member
Aug 23, 2006
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Windows 8 couldn't be less like Windows ME. The only thing they have in common is that Windows 8 is likely to be a complete disaster. Windows ME was unstable and had worse performance, it's redeeming features were meant to be full backwards compatibility and a familiar user interface.

Windows 8 is, under the hood, a significant improvement in almost every way. Where it fails is usability on a desktop.

Metro is good, the new start screen is actually fairly excellent as well, but some of the "features" don't work very well without a touch screen. RTM Win8 eliminates one of the problems - desktop no longer looks completely different to the start screen.

However, greater problems remain: the charm-type side/top/bottom bars are good, but they shouldn't be hidden by default (if you are comfortable using shortcut keys much of the problems here are eliminated, but why make it hard to learn for no reason). Metro apps and the start screen should all share the multitasking of the desktop, IMO. That means the taskbar should almost always be visible! I also don't think apps should be full-screen on the desktop. They should be in a maximised window at worst.

Hmm, I'm ranting about Windows 8 again, lol :).

For what it's worth, Win8 is almost a huge improvement on Win7, unfortunately, the few annoying things about it are REALLY annoying, especially for power users. Again, once you learn the keyboard shortcuts, all of this pretty much goes away (certainly a lot less annoying), but most people don't want to learn a whole bunch of new shortcut keys. In the end, now that I've gone to the trouble of learning all the shortcut keys, there's no way I could go back to Win7, but I remember all to well the frustrations of this OS and probably won't recommend it to my friends.
 

hclarkjr

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,375
0
0
Windows 8 couldn't be less like Windows ME. The only thing they have in common is that Windows 8 is likely to be a complete disaster. Windows ME was unstable and had worse performance, it's redeeming features were meant to be full backwards compatibility and a familiar user interface.

Windows 8 is, under the hood, a significant improvement in almost every way. Where it fails is usability on a desktop.

Metro is good, the new start screen is actually fairly excellent as well, but some of the "features" don't work very well without a touch screen. RTM Win8 eliminates one of the problems - desktop no longer looks completely different to the start screen.

However, greater problems remain: the charm-type side/top/bottom bars are good, but they shouldn't be hidden by default (if you are comfortable using shortcut keys much of the problems here are eliminated, but why make it hard to learn for no reason). Metro apps and the start screen should all share the multitasking of the desktop, IMO. That means the taskbar should almost always be visible! I also don't think apps should be full-screen on the desktop. They should be in a maximised window at worst.

Hmm, I'm ranting about Windows 8 again, lol :).

For what it's worth, Win8 is almost a huge improvement on Win7, unfortunately, the few annoying things about it are REALLY annoying, especially for power users. Again, once you learn the keyboard shortcuts, all of this pretty much goes away (certainly a lot less annoying), but most people don't want to learn a whole bunch of new shortcut keys. In the end, now that I've gone to the trouble of learning all the shortcut keys, there's no way I could go back to Win7, but I remember all to well the frustrations of this OS and probably won't recommend it to my friends.
has a list of these shortcuts been published yet?
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
This is horrible, i didnt realize it would be out so soon. Need to grab a few win7 copies while i still can.
 

gizbug

Platinum Member
May 14, 2001
2,621
0
76
Just put Windows 8 on my main pc, nice clean format, running good so far.