Recently Microsoft released Windows 8 RTM (build version: #9200) to the OEM Manufacturer and mentioned that the product will be available to the MSDN/TechNet Subscribers on 15th August 2012 and will be available for general public use on 26th October 2012.

 

As per their commencement, the product is now available for download. Find out the links to download the new OS from Microsoft. Also there is a link to download the 90 days Trial version.

 

Windows 8 RTM for MSDN Subscribers

Windows 8 RTM final bits are now available for MSDN Subscribers. The build string is: 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247). From today onwards, MSDN/TechNet subscribers can go to Subscriber Downloads section to download the various original Windows 8 RTM products.

 

Here are few links for MSDN Subscribers:

 

90 days Trial Version of Windows 8 RTM

Those who doesn’t have these Microsoft Subscriptions, can get hands on to this on 26th October 2012. Microsoft also released a 90 days TRIAL version for the people who wants to play with the final availability of the product. If you are one of them, can download the 90days evaluation version of Windows 8 Enterprise Edition from Windows Dev Center developers downloads page.

 

This evaluation provides a 90-day trial of Windows 8 Enterprise edition. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available as ISO images in the following languages: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, English (UK), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. In order to use this evaluation, you must register and the product must be activated online with Microsoft-hosted activation and validation services.

 

Things you should know

There are few points that you should know before starting with downloading and installing the 90 days trial version of Windows 8 RTM and here are those:

  • The evaluation edition will expire and cannot be upgraded.
  • To upgrade, the evaluation must be uninstalled and a non-evaluation version of Windows must be re-installed from your original installation media.
  • Consider running the evaluation edition in a virtual environment or installing on a separate hard drive or partition. The will allow you to upgrade your original Windows installation to Windows 8.
  • During registration (required) you must login with a Microsoft account and provide your name, e-mail address and country.
  • You are required to activate the product online within 10 days after installing.
  • Once the evaluation is installed, you cannot upgrade. To revert to a previous version of Windows, you must do a clean install from your original installation media.

 

Activation and Usage Guidelines

  • Back up your files and settings before installing this evaluation and again prior to the 90-day expiration.
  • Upon installation, you will have 10 days to activate this evaluation online. Windows will prompt you to activate. A product key is not required for this software.
  • You must complete activation before August 15, 2013, to use this evaluation.
  • Once you activate, you have up to 90 days to use the software. You can track the amount of time you have left by referring to the "watermark" in the lower right corner of the Windows desktop.
  • If you fail to activate this evaluation within the 10-day grace period, or if your evaluation period expires, the desktop background will turn black, you will see a persistent desktop notification indicating that the system is not genuine, and the PC will shut down every hour losing unsaved work.
  • Following the evaluation period, you will need to replace the operating system on your test computer and reinstall all your programs and data. It is not possible to upgrade the evaluation to a licensed working version of Windows 8. A clean installation is required.

 

Some Important Dates of Windows 8 Release

Date Description
01-Aug-2012
Product released to Windows 8 OEM and Manufacturing partners
15-Aug-2012
Developers will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via your MSDN subscriptions.
 
IT professionals testing Windows 8 in organizations will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through your TechNet subscriptions
16-Aug-2012
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
 
Microsoft Partner Network members will have access to Windows 8
20-Aug-2012
Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) receive access to Windows 8
01-Sep-2012
Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers
26-Oct-2012
General availability of the final product

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