Microsoft announced the availability of Windows 8.1 RTM version for the MSDN and TechNet subscribers today. That means, if you have any one of the MSDN or TechNet subscription, you will be able to download it from your subscription page.

 

General availability of Windows 8.1 will be on 18th October 2013. If you hold a Windows 8 installation, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Store after that.

 

Earlier to that, we already heard that, there will not be any availability of Windows 8.1 for MSDN subscribers prior to 18th October. But there were lots of discussions on that front from the developers and/or partners who were building apps for Windows 8.1 and finally Microsoft heard that and released the RTM version for the developers, partners through the MSDN/TechNet subscription benefit.

Windows 8.1 multiple edition

 

If you are a developer and holding the above subscription, you can now go and download Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro from your subscription page. Windows 8.1 RTM Enterprise edition will be available through the same subscription page later this month.

 

Microsoft also released Visual Studio 2013 RC today, which you will need to build Windows Store applications targeting Windows 8.1. Keep in mind that, Visual Studio 2013 RC does not support Windows 8.1 preview.


Kunal Chowdhury

About the Author

Solution Architect & Former Microsoft MVP

Kunal Chowdhury is an enterprise solution architect and former multi-year Microsoft MVP. He is the author of three technical books: Windows Presentation Foundation Development Cookbook, Mastering Visual Studio 2017, and the Mastering Visual Studio 2019.

He publishes technical articles on .