Windows 8.1 RTM released to TechNet and MSDN

[SpywareDr]

Windows Secrets > Touring through the final Windows 8.1

By Woody Leonhard on September 18, 2013 in Top Story

After much public criticism and internal debate, Microsoft made an abrupt about-face and released Windows 8.1 RTM to TechNet and MSDN subscribers -- well before the OS’s public debut.

With release-to-manufacturer, Windows 8.1 is effectively complete and will roll out to Windows 8 users in mid-October.

As reported in a ZDNet story and other sources, Microsoft initially decided that TechNet/MSDN subscribers (Microsoft’s developer "partners" -- a term I use loosely) would see official Windows 8 RTM bits at the same time as everyone else -- the reported Oct. 18 general-availability release date, when consumers will be able to download the Win8 upgrade.

Developers, support people, and folks who write about Windows 8.1 (like me) hit the roof. Leaving IT professionals in the dark until everyone gets the bits is just (to use Bill G.’s favorite word) "stupid!" But, as noted in a Neowin.net article, sanity eventually prevailed and the near-final, final Win8.1 suddenly appeared on the TechNet and MSDN software-download sites.

That’s fortunate for all of us; we can now take an early look at the official Windows 8.1 RTM and not have to rely on "pirated" copies.

[...continues...]

[Ferrit]

I downloaded it and it is not an upgrade at all. It is a complete install which asks for a key right off the bat.
I did not install it as I already have windows 8 Pro with Media Centre and did not want to mess with my
install. I will trial it out later and see what the deal is. But it seems to me if were going to get the
upgrade as a windows update, why isnt there just a Service Pack to install the upgrade alone.
We kind of need to see how that install under real world conditions is going to go. I have a tech
friend who installed it in vm and it promptly crashed completely.Are we a little nervous after that?
You bet.

[SpywareDr]

I don't believe I've heard or seen anything yet about when the upgrade version of Windows 8.1 will be available on MSDN and TechNet.

The Windows 8.1 RTM (Release To Manufacturing) version was made available on MSDN/TechNet after an apparently intense internal (political?) struggle at Microsoft.

[Ferrit]

Not any help to us I know how windows installs from scratch. What I need to know is how the upgrade will look as it goes in.

[SpywareDr]

Yep, same here.