Microsoft is expected to release the final version of Windows 8 to the general public in late October, while Windows 8 RTM (or Release To Manufacture) will be released in the first week of August.
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WPC2013: Windows 8.1 RTM to be released in August, free upgrade for users
The announcement was made by Microsoft at the Worldwide Partner Conference. At launch, the software giant's latest operating system will be available in 231 markets worldwide and in 109 languages.
The RTM version will, as always, be the last version before it hits stores. Manufacturers and companies with Microsoft Software Assurance for volume licensing will be able to get their hands on the operating system as soon as the company releases the final code. However, everyone else will have to wait until the official release date, when the operating system can be obtained via download or by purchasing the physical DVD. As the company previously announced, the download for the Windows 8 Pro upgrade will cost $39.99 with the option to add Media Center at no additional cost for all Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 users, while the DVD installation media for the same upgrade will cost $69.99. So, this time, the early adoption is worth it. Pricing for the other versions of the operating system has yet to be announced.
The big difference between the Release Preview and RTM will likely be that the company will integrate the new Metro-style interface into the Windows desktop environment. At the RTM point, software developers will eventually have to start charging for their apps in the Windows Store. If you're already using Windows 8 RP, now is a really good time to download and try out any Metro-style app.
