Managing the Windows 8.1 Preview

The Windows team will make the preview of Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 (formerly code-name Blue) available as an optional update from the Windows Store. Windows 8.1 is the next version of Windows and delivers substantial changes to the OS. Because it will be available in the Windows Store, users will not have to specifically seek out the preview to install it, as has been the case with past Windows prerelease software. To avoid problems with the preview code or later migration, organizations with Windows 8 devices should take steps to limit the Windows 8.1 preview rollout to its users.

Determining the Update Method

Traditionally, previews of major Windows client OS updates, such as service packs, feature packs, and new versions, have been available through mechanisms that allowed an organization to carefully control which users and which devices received them for testing. Most organizations have restricted such testing to nonproduction uses until satisfied that the code will not negatively affect them, and occasionally the license accompanying preview software has specific terms addressing production use.