Microsoft had announced earlier to deliver the released to manufacturing, i.e., RTM Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 bits ahead of the official launch date to MSDN and TechNet subscribers as well as to the volume licensees. But recently, while Microsoft released Windows 8.1 to MSDN and TechNet, the company has not released the RTM bits to the volume license customers. Only those volume license customers with an active Software Assurance (SA) agreement, which comprises of access to TechNet will be able to download the Windows 8.1 ahead of the launch date while other license customers will have to wait until the specified date.
The official launch date of the Windows 8.1 is 18th October and the other volume licensees will have to wait until then to get the Windows 8.1 Pro and windows 8.1 Enterprise editions through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
Again it has been reported that the subscribers of the DreamSpark Premium services can also download the Windows 8.1 from MSDN but however the standard DreamSpark subscribers will be barred from this facility and cannot get hands on with Windows 8.1 before 18th October.
It had been a great news for the privileged customers, especially developers, who have been given access to the new editions and interim updates weeks before the masses actually got it. The developers can use the fresh code of Windows 8.1 to test the new and existing application compatibility and decide if they can support the recent version of Windows OS with their apps. Through the early access, Windows 8 app developers can start testing their apps with the update version and work on any modifications.
Microsoft has said that this update will be posted to the Windows store, the official Windows 8 and Windows RT app market and available as a free download and will be made available to all the current users of Windows 8.
About Susham
Susham is a part time blogger and a Software Engineer by Profession. He has keen interest in latest Gadgets and Tech updates. Like us he is also passionate about Windows 8.