It’s done: Windows 8 has RTM’d and is heading to manufacturing partners

Windows 8 has been completed by Microsoft, hitting its ‘release to manufacturing’ build. According to Microsoft, it is now being handed off to its manufacturing partners (OEMs).

Now, companies building machines that will employ Windows 8 can test, tweak, and finalize their work. What follows is the schedule that developers can expect to receive the code:

• 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.

According to The Verge, “the final build is 9200.16384.win8_rtm.120725-1247.”

This release date is in keeping with previous Microsoft statements that the software would be released to OEMs in the first week of August. Windows 8 is a dramatic redesign of the Windows platform, including new interfaces, new app formats, and a new method of distributing software: the Windows Store. Microsoft will take a cut of sold apps in that venue.

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Left out of its blog post is news of Windows RT specifically. TNW has reached out to Microsoft for comment on the software, and will update this post upon hearing back. Microsoft has another BUILD conference coming soon, the last edition of which led to the first release of a Windows 8 build to the public.

For more of TNW’s Windows 8 coverage, head here.

Top Image Credit: BUILDWindows