Microsoft has just announced about the completion of Windows 8 development, saying that the final code of the product has now been started to handing over to the OEM partners. In simple words “Windows 8 has been released to the manufacturers”, that’s RTM release.
Public release is set to start on October 26th with the option of upgrading for $39.99/- (USD) or to buy with a new PC. A discounted offer is given to users who buy an eligible Windows 7 PC today, they will be able to purchase Windows 8 Pro for $14.99/- (USD).
According to the announcement Microsoft has planned for developers that the will be able to download final version of Windows 8 from August 15th via their MSDN subscriptions. IT Professionals will be able to get it on the same date via TechNet subscriptions. Microsoft Software Assurance customers and Microsoft Partner Network members will get access to Windows 8 from August 16th. Similarly Microsoft Action Pack Providers will be receiving access to Windows 8 from August 20th. Volume License customers will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers starting from September 1st. And as mentioned above the general public release will start from October 26th. Until then, if you are one from the general public, you can download the pre-release version of Windows 8 and experience a test run.
[sources: MSDN Blogs, Windows Team Blog]
