15 ms·
Download Windows 8.1 RTM, Visual Studio 2013 RC Today
- judah 13y agoNice. Microsoft heard complaints that developers had no early access to 8.1, so they reversed their stance and released it to MSDN subscribers.
- devx 13y agoIt's not like they didn't release it because they were stubborn or whatever. They didn't release for a reason - it wasn't ready. But because of bad press so far they will release it anyway - not fully ready, and hope that not being fully really won't give them even more bad press.
- yuhong 13y agoExcept that RTM != GA
- MichaelGG 13y agoYeah, the term RTM no longer means "final" like it used to. It's more like shipping a late release candidate, then hoping by GA Windows Update will install the actual finished parts.
- OrsenPike 13y agoThis is the thing that has annoyed me the most about this whole thing. RTM has always meant "release to manufacturing and IT pros". If Microsoft wanted to change this fair enough but they shouldn't have called it an RTM if that isn't what they meant.
- reflectiv 13y agoYep, RTM is basically also known as a 'Gold' release or essentially the same thing end users will get - minus marketing materials and other assorted items that come along with a final consumer release. They should not have called it RTM if it wasn't really RTM.
- marshray 13y agoFeature Freeze, Feature Complete, Alpha, Beta, Release Candidate, Gold, Release To Manufacturing... I've worked at a few software companies and none of them have used these terms quite the same way.
- OrsenPike 13y agoOther companies are not the point here though. Microsoft is and they have been consistent in their use for the past two decades or more so why the sudden change?
- marshray 13y agohttp://allthingsd.com/20130626/ballmer-at-build-microsoft-moving-windows-to-rapid-release-cycle/ http://allthingsd.com/20130626/ballmer-at-build-microsoft-mo...
- OrsenPike 13y agoSorry but I don't really see the link between that article and Microsoft's inconsistent use of the term RTM. They can still move to a rapid release cycle and have a solid RTM. Chrome and Firefox manage to do it every 6 weeks.
- Encosia 13y agoRTM was accurate in this case though, no? They did release this to their OEM partners to use as the basis for machines shipping in Q4, with the expectation that Windows Update will finish applying any interim changes, bug fixes, updates, etc. It's understandable that they didn't want a bunch of review articles popping up insinuating that it's the final revision of 8.1 when customers with Internet connections would essentially be getting revved to a later build during installation.
- Diamons 13y agoI think this is a case where not listening to your customers would be the smarter choice, especially if you're as big as Microsoft.
- TillE 13y agoMicrosoft have released not-ready operating systems to developers in the past, clearly marked as such. This is obviously desirable when developers will need to do additional work to ensure their applications are compatible.
- marshray 13y agoI'm really glad we're getting developers what they need, and I'm sorry it seems to have taken some flaming press to get it. I work in the Azure/AD group and we are dependent on the Windows preview releases too. If the community knew just how fast the Windows team was iterating on this new release cycle, I think they might be a lot more sympathetic to this situation. And I just downloaded VS 2013 Beta last Friday. At least I haven't have a chance to install it yet. :-)
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- vonzeppelin 13y agoThere was a preview release a while back.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- toomuchtodo 13y agoI feel like its too little too late though. This is just my observation as someone who worked at a .Net shop for 3 years, and recently moved to a Java/Python house.
- y0ghur7_xxx 13y ago> If the community knew just how fast the Windows team was iterating on this new release cycle, I think they might be a lot more sympathetic to this situation. You could open source it, so the community could help.
- wslh 13y agoAs an MSDN customer I am not sympathetic because Microsoft really harmed my company releasing the last Windows 8.1 to a few vendors. One of our customers deploys our software component in millions of PCs around the world and they noticed an incompatibility in our component before us. Why? just because they have access to a Windows 8.1 (build 9477) release as a privileged vendor.
- kyriakos 13y agoi'm trying to download it but it seems their servers are getting hammered.. 4-5kb/s.. i guess i'll wait for the heat to go away
- caiob 13y agoNo, thanks.
- Avalaxy 13y agoIf I install this, can I just patch it so that it's on par with the GA version when it comes out? Or do I need to install a new image then? (running the consumer preview now)
- harrytuttle 13y agoYes you can. GA is RTM+updates.
- Avalaxy 13y agoThanks :)
- harrytuttle 13y agoMore schizophrenia from Microsoft. Just what we need to build confidence...
- kmfrk 13y ago"It can't get any worse", kmfrk murmured to himself, as he downloaded the update.
- nly 13y agoI've read that the same build has been available for weeks via side channels.
- chris-at 13y agoThis is silly. We can download the RTM but they locked out the upgrade functionality - fresh installs only! Wtf?
- computer 13y agoIt's for developers testing if their programs and apps still function properly. Not for consumers to get early access. Just run it in a VM.