Windows 8.1 RTM Ready by August, OEMs Get it First

[btarunr]

Microsoft will be ready with an RTM (release to market) version of Windows 8.1 as early as by August, according to the company. In a recent company blog, it stated that OEMs (pre-built desktop and notebook manufacturers) will begin receiving the software in August, so their products running the software could reach markets by October, when the operating system is expected to formally launch.

OEMs typically get a disc image for Windows 8.1, and reels of certificates of authenticity (COA) to stick on each of their products that ship with the software pre-installed. The companies then modify the image to include device drivers and settings specific to their products, and deploy them en-masse. When a customer purchases a notebook or desktop, the software key on the (COA) sticker has to be used to activate Windows. Given that Windows 8.1 RTM will be given to OEMs this early, customers can expect a slew of day-one software updates when they unbox their PCs in October.



Windows 8.1 is currently given out as a free "Release Preview" for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. Users coming from Windows 7 will get an option to purchase Windows 8.1 in October, update to Windows 8.1 RTM without changing files or settings, and continue using the software; whereas users coming from Windows 8 get a free upgrade to Windows 8.1.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Prima.Vera]

You mean Windows 8 Service Pack 1...

 

[btarunr]

You mean Windows 8 Service Pack 1...

I mean Windows Vista Service Pack 6.

 

[Solidstate89]

Well, yeah, of course the OEMs get it first. That's what RTM means.

 

[nickbaldwin86]

who cares.... they can keep 8.1

 

[hckngrtfakt]

You mean Windows 8 Service Pack 1...

I mean Windows Vista Service Pack 6.

I think you both mean Windows NT 6.3

 

[Hood]

I mean Windows Vista Service Pack 6.

They're all derivatives of the Windows NT OS, so you might as well make that Windows NT SP 13. One day maybe we'll see something new...

 

[TheOne]

Windows 8.1 is currently given out as a free "Release Preview" for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. Users coming from Windows 7 will get an option to purchase Windows 8.1 in October, update to Windows 8.1 RTM without changing files or settings, and continue using the software; whereas users coming from Windows 8 get a free upgrade to Windows 8.1.

Source: Windows Team Blog

Could you imagine the backlash if they actually tried to charge Windows 8 users for 8.1.

 

[riffraffy]

Could you imagine the backlash if they actually tried to charge Windows 8 users for 8.1.

How'bout the backlash with the free version . And rightfully deserved .

 

[btarunr]

Could you imagine the backlash if they actually tried to charge Windows 8 users for 8.1.

Nobody would upgrade from Windows 8 to 8.1.

 

[Deadlyraver]

To hell with Hypersoft, I'm sticking with Windows 7 the same way we stick to XP in Vista.

 

[eidairaman1]

If oem editions of win 7 are scarce ill do 8.1 with a start menu and a true aero desktop.

 

[Hood]

I see that Classic Shell has their new version out for Windows 8.1 Preview, so Windows 8 users may as well upgrade to 8.1 when the final version is released (the preview has limitations and will probably screw up your Windows 8 installation). I plan on doing a clean install of 8.1 RTM in a few months after the dust settles, instead of doing it twice in 3 months.

 

[D007]

How many threads do we need for windows 8 exactly?
It seems like everyday you make a new thread about it.
News flash. No matter how many threads you make for windows 8.
No ones buying it..

 

[hellrazor]

If only my shits had a release date...

 

[Prima.Vera]

They're all derivatives of the Windows NT OS, so you might as well make that Windows NT SP 13. One day maybe we'll see something new...

METRO OS.


(God forbidden!)

 

[eidairaman1]

They're all derivatives of the Windows NT OS, so you might as well make that Windows NT SP 13. One day maybe we'll see something new...

yeah maybe W9X

I think you both mean Windows NT 6.3

see below to why W7 is still great

To hell with Hypersoft, I'm sticking with Windows 7 the same way we stick to XP in Vista.

see below

I see that Classic Shell has their new version out for Windows 8.1 Preview, so Windows 8 users may as well upgrade to 8.1 when the final version is released (the preview has limitations and will probably screw up your Windows 8 installation). I plan on doing a clean install of 8.1 RTM in a few months after the dust settles, instead of doing it twice in 3 months.

Why does any customer have to purchase a extension that hogs additional resources to put in Real Windows Functionality and Productivity cues?

How many threads do we need for windows 8 exactly?
It seems like everyday you make a new thread about it.
News flash. No matter how many threads you make for windows 8.
No ones buying it..

Windows 7 was the best iteration of NT thus far, it boots faster than XP or Vista, runs easily on 1 GB of Memory for older machines, was very polished compared to the turd MS is trying to push now (see below) MS= Multiple 5#1+$

If only my shits had a release date...

It comes out in Windows 8/8.1 (Really means Windows 3/3.1) colors?

METRO OS.


(God forbidden!)

lmao- Yeah God Forbidden- They should of just left Aero alone and worked under the hood, I think Aero Desktop Interface would of worked as a Tile Interface for Phones and Pads, and Looked Better than Metro anyday, Microsoft needs to grow some balls.

Windows 8 in any derivative means W8/Wait.

 

[mastrdrver]

H8.1

Fwiw, I love W8. Much more stable then W7. Used to have problems with BF3 (when it crashed) would crash the system. Has not happened once with W8. I got used to the start menu and actually prefer it over the old one.

 

[Naito]

I must be living in the Jurassic period.

 

[matar]

Microsoft What we want is Windows 7 SP2.
or Windows 8.1 with the real old windows 7 start button menu look then I will upgrade.

 

[Hood]

Microsoft What we want is Windows 7 SP2.
or Windows 8.1 with the real old windows 7 start button menu look then I will upgrade.

You can have the benefits of Windows 8 right now and keep Windows 7 Start Button functionality, by installing Classic Shell or any of dozens of free Start Button/Windows Explorer programs - it takes one minute to install and about two minutes to configure to your liking. Most of them have already updated to cover Windows 8.1. I've been using Classic shell for months now with no problems at all. It boots straight to the desktop, and the start button is highly customizable, much more so than Windows 7. Now when I use a Windows 7 system, it feels dated and slow, and all the updates and the service pack slows it down even more. It's all about performance - Windows 8 has several optimizations for SSDs and new hardware built in, as well as a much improved Task Manager, Control Panel, and Performance Tools section. When SATA Express and NVM Express debut next year (to replace SATA600 and AHCI respectively), Windows 8.1 or later will be required to take advantage of the new storage standards, so that's when we'll see massive migration to Windows 8.x by enthusiasts, because the new SSDs will be 2 to 3 times faster.

 

[shovenose]

I like Windows 8 and Windows 7 equally but in different ways.

 

[WhiteLotus]

You can have the benefits of Windows 8 right now and keep Windows 7 Start Button functionality, by installing Classic Shell or any of dozens of free Start Button/Windows Explorer programs - it takes one minute to install and about two minutes to configure to your liking. Most of them have already updated to cover Windows 8.1. I've been using Classic shell for months now with no problems at all. It boots straight to the desktop, and the start button is highly customizable, much more so than Windows 7. Now when I use a Windows 7 system, it feels dated and slow, and all the updates and the service pack slows it down even more. It's all about performance - Windows 8 has several optimizations for SSDs and new hardware built in, as well as a much improved Task Manager, Control Panel, and Performance Tools section. When SATA Express and NVM Express debut next year (to replace SATA600 and AHCI respectively), Windows 8.1 or later will be required to take advantage of the new storage standards, so that's when we'll see massive migration to Windows 8.x by enthusiasts, because the new SSDs will be 2 to 3 times faster.

I never understood that argument. If I was to spend over 50quid on a product I want it to do what I want it to do. Not have to go and download some 3rd party software for the OS to have what it bloody well should have had anyway!
Its like buying a car then putting new tires on straight after because the original ones are made of Styrofoam.

 

[Hood]

I never understood that argument. If I was to spend over 50quid on a product I want it to do what I want it to do. Not have to go and download some 3rd party software for the OS to have what it bloody well should have had anyway!
Its like buying a car then putting new tires on straight after because the original ones are made of Styrofoam.

I understand your reasoning, and it's valid for a lot of users. In a perfect world, all Windows apps and utilities would work perfectly, and be perfectly suited to all users needs. Moving on to the realm of reality, many parts of Windows just plain suck, and I've always used a raft of third party programs to replace those that do. Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Movie Maker, Messenger, Outlook Express, Disc Burner, Firewall, Malware and Antivirus apps, compressed file utilities, etc, etc, etc, they all suck. So why would I balk at installing one more little utility to vastly improve my experience? I use Windows because of the wide range of third party apps developed for it, and because it's the only game in town for high-end gaming. I like Windows 8 best of all. and it actually has some utilities built in that render a few third party programs unnecessary. Since Windows 98SE I have never used any of the built-in programs, because there have always been better alternatives. But if you are the kind of person who still uses IE, WMP, and Outlook Express, you may be perfectly happy with Windows 7 as it stands, and no wonder you are outraged that Windows 8 is "forcing" you use the failed "Start Screen".

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Everyone prepare for a massive flood of I hate Windows 8 posts.........oh wait they are already here.