Updated: July 11, 2020 (August 13, 2012)
Analyst ReportWindows 8 and Windows Server 2012 Availability Dates
Although Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012 released to manufacturing (RTM) on Aug. 1, 2012, the products will be available to different customers on different dates. RTM is a key development milestone that marks the end of testing and development and is when Microsoft hands off the code to OEMs so that they can begin preinstalling the OS on computers. This chart shows availability dates for various types of customers between RTM and general availability of the Windows OS on hardware in the retail channel for consumers on Oct. 26, 2012.
| Date | Event |
| 08/01/2012 | Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012 release to manufacturing |
| Windows Store opens for purchase of Windows 8 applications | |
| 08/15/2012 | Windows 8 MSDN subscription availability (developers) |
| Windows 8 TechNet subscription availability (evaluations) | |
| 08/16/2102 | Windows 8 Volume License Service Center availability for customers with Software Assurance on Windows |
| Windows 8 Microsoft |
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