Microsoft reverses course; releases Windows 8.1 RTM to developers

By Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft | September 9, 2013 — 17:04 GMT (10:04 PDT)

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The Microsoft course reversals — such as the reintroduction of a Windows Start Button and the cancellation of the “Always On” requirement for Xbox One — are continuing.

The latest 180, announced by the company on September 9, is that MSDN/TechNet subscribers and volume licensees are going to be able to get their hands on the Windows 8.1 release to manufacturing (RTM) bits early, after all. In fact, Microsoft is making the RTM versions of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro available to those groups today, September 9, starting at 10 a.m. PST. Microsoft also will be releasing the RTM version of Windows Server 2012 R2 to MSDN/TechNet and volume licensees today.
The Windows 8.1 Enterprise SKU will be available to MSDN/TechNet and volume licensees before the end of September, officials said today. The RTM version of Windows 8.1 RT still isn’t going to be released early. (Windows 8.1 RT has leaked to the Web, however.)

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