In line with a promised “late August” timeframe, Microsoft issued the RTM (“release to manufacturing”) build of Windows 8.1 on Friday, with news of the event revealed by Microsoft-focused journalist Paul Thurrott on Sunday. While no major changes are expected between the RTM build and the most recent leaked preview, sources with access to the build are reporting new default start screen images, wallpapers, and color schemes.
The Windows 8.1 RTM marks an unusual shift for Microsoft, in that it will be the first major version of Windows to be distributed primarily online (although a debate currently rages over whether 8.1 is truly a “new” version of Windows or merely a significant update akin to a Service Pack), with current Windows 8 users able to obtain it via a download from the built-in Windows Store app. As a result, the product’s RTM status, which has traditionally been used to give distributors and partners time to burn and physically distribute discs, is less concrete.
For earlier versions of Windows, the RTM build shipped to PC makers and retail stores was the exact same build that most consumers would obtain and install. Any bugs found in the build after it had shipped would therefore have to be addressed with post-installation updates from Microsoft.
This time around, the RTM build is largely symbolic. The bits shipped to partners will indeed be used to pre-load Windows 8.1 on new PCs and for the eventual minting of physical discs for retail sales, but Microsoft will continue to work on the build and squash bugs up until its release to the public on October 17. This means that it is very likely that the version of Windows 8.1 that consumers install for the first time in October will be different from the RTM build shipped on Friday.
This all adds up to far more flexibility for Microsoft, and gives the company over a month of additional time to iron out the remaining issues in the update. It’s also likely the reason why MSDN and TechNet subscribers won’t receive early access to the software, as they have with previous versions of Windows in the past.
Windows 8.1 will be a free update for all users currently running Windows 8. It will bring several significant changes to the user interface, improving navigation and functionality for users with traditional keyboard and mouse setups as well as adding support for new smaller touch-enabled hardware. As mentioned above, Microsoft has set a release date of October 17, at which time users will find the update available as a download from the Windows Store.
Screenshots of Windows 8.1 RTM Build via Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows.