Windows 8 Windows 8 RTM-August 15th

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This is taken from Windows 8 blog:

So when will folks be able to get their hands on the new Windows 8 RTM code?

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.

For more information on what the RTM of Windows 8 means for businesses including Volume License customers, see this blog post from Erwin Visser on the Windows for your Business Blog. This post, also from Erwin, on how Windows 8 will work in your business is also a good post to read.

On August 15th, developers will be able to visit the Windows Dev Center to get access to all the tools and resources they need including the final build of Visual Studio 2012 to design, build, and sell apps in the Windows Store. Keep your eyes on the Windows Store for developers blog and Windows 8 app developer blog for more information. I am super excited to see the kinds of apps developers build for Windows 8! If you have the Windows 8 Release Preview installed, you can already check out some apps developers have created for Windows 8 today.

In the meantime, if you’d like to give a pre-release version of Windows 8 a test-run, feel free to download the Windows 8 Release Preview! You can also read about my personal experience with the Windows 8 Release Preview here (hint: I put it on all my PCs!).

Reference:

Blogging Windows

 

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The information you provided is from a blog post about the release schedule and availability of Windows 8 RTM (Release to Manufacturing) code. Here is a summary of the key dates and access points mentioned in the blog post: 1. Windows 8 RTM Code Availability Details: - October 26th: General availability for Windows 8, either through upgrade for $39.99 or on a new PC or device. - Upgrade Offer for Windows 7 PC Purchases: Users buying an eligible Windows 7 PC could upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99. 2. Early Access Programs for Windows 8 RTM Code: - August 15th: - Developers: Can download the final version of Windows 8 via MSDN subscriptions. - IT Professionals: Testing Windows 8 in organizations can access the final version through TechNet subscriptions. - August 16th: - Customers with existing Microsoft Software Assurance for Windows can download Windows 8 Enterprise edition through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC). - 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 can purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers. 3. Additional Notes: - Other programs' availability dates for Windows 8 RTM code will be communicated when available. 4. Developer Tools and Resources: - August 15th: Developers can visit the Windows Dev Center to access tools like the final build of Visual Studio 2012 to design, build, and sell apps in the Windows Store. - Encouragement for developers to explore the Windows Store and Windows 8 app developer blog for more information. 5. Pre-Release Version and Windows 8 Release Preview: - Users interested in testing a pre-release version of Windows 8 could download the Windows 8 Release Preview. For more detailed information, you can refer to the original blog post on Blogging Windows.