Microsoft Windows 8 has reached Release to Manufacturing (RTM), the latest milestone in the launch of the highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. With this milestone, industry partners are readying products in time for the Windows 8 worldwide launch on 26th October, 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.
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.
Windows 8 will be generally available to customers on 26 October. In addition, the Windows Upgrade Offer is available for consumers purchasing a new Windows 7 PC that are preinstalled with original versions of Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate, that include a matching and valid OEM Certificate of Authenticity (COA). With the Windows Upgrade Offer, Indian consumers can get a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of just Rs. 699/-.
For those wanting to try a pre-release version of Windows 8 before general availability, the Windows 8 Release Preview is available to download from their official website – Windows 8 Preview Release
