Microsoft announces Windows 8 released to manufacturing

With this milestone, industry partners are readying products in time for the Windows 8 worldwide launch on October 26, 2012.

Windows 8 offers a fast and fluid, reimagined experience and the RTM milestone marks the completion of code development that has been driven by customer and developer feedback since preview versions became available starting last September.

Select audiences, including developers, IT professionals and partners will have early access to final RTM code beginning later this month. Highlights include:

• August 15:Developers building new apps for Windows 8 will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via an MSDN subscription, and can visit the Windows Dev Center to get access to the final build of Visual Studio 2012.
  
• August 15:IT professionals testing Windows 8 in organizations will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through aTechNet subscription.
  
• August 16: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 16:Microsoft Partner Network members will have access to Windows 8.
  
• August 20:Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) receive access to Windows 8.
  
• September 1:Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers.

Developers can visit the Windows Dev Center to get access to all the tools and resources they need to design, build, and sell apps in the Windows Store.While all apps during the preview phases were free, at RTM developers can begin charging for apps, so those with access to RTM bits will begin to see paid apps appear in the Windows Store.