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Microsoft U-turn: gives devs early access to Windows 8.1 RTM

by Mark Tyson on 10 September 2013, 09:45

Tags: Windows 8

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Microsoft is not afraid of U-turns and has just given notice of another important change of plan concerning its Windows software. The Redmond based software and devices company has now decided to allow MSDN/TechNet subscribers and volume licensees early access to the Windows 8.1 Release To Manufacturing (RTM) bits. The change of heart was because “We’ve listened, we value your partnership, and we are adjusting based on your feedback. As we refine our delivery schedules for a more rapid release cadence, we are working on the best way to support early releases to the various audiences within our ecosystem,” wrote Guggs on the MSDN Blog.

Windows 8.1 RTM and Windows RT 8.1 RTM was made available to hardware partners last month but MSDN/ TechNet subscribers and volume licensing customers were left out – which marked a break from tradition and was obviously not a decision well received by those negatively affected. Developers complained that not having early access to the latest OS wouldn’t let them test and ready apps to work with it without any glitches.

So what exactly are the OS builds being made available to developers early?

  • Windows 8.1 – now available
  • Windows Pro 8.1 – now available
  • Windows Server 2012 R2  – now available
  • Windows 8.1 Enterprise – available by the end of September
  • Windows 8.1 RT – NOT available

ZDNet notes that the Visual Studio 2013 Release Candidate build is now also available to developers. The Visual Studio 2013 RTW (release to web) final version will arrive on 18th October.

Another important thing which developers would like to access early is the Windows Store, however Microsoft is keeping those store doors shut until the official launch date for Windows 8.1 and writes in a blog post that “The RTM versions of tools, services, and platform are required for store submissions”.

The Windows 8.1 date of general availability is 17th/18th October. It is a free update to owners of Windows 8.

HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Posted by Noxvayl - Tue 10 Sep 2013 10:10
It seems Microsoft has been making lots of U-Turns this year. I'm happy for companies to learn from mistakes but Microsoft are making mistakes that they were avoiding before. I suspect their “new strategy” has called for their old methods to be re-evaluated but how did they manage to think so many things would be accepted by their customers as better service than they currently receive. It seems to me that they are finding out just how much they can get away with.

I have little confidence in Microsoft going forward, the only reason I don't have zero confidence is because a new CEO could possibly turn things around.
Posted by kingpotnoodle - Tue 10 Sep 2013 10:42
Why does everyone whinge and call it a U-Turn when they listen to the community? You all bitch and moan about things you don't like and then bitch and moan more when they react and alter their stance. It's just plain silly, have you all never changed your mind about something?

Well done Microsoft for listening to a good suggestion and making it so.
Posted by crossy - Tue 10 Sep 2013 10:52
kingpotnoodle
Why does everyone whinge and call it a U-Turn when they listen to the community? You all bitch and moan about things you don't like and then bitch and moan more when they react and alter their stance. It's just plain silly, have you all never changed your mind about something? Well done Microsoft for listening to a good suggestion and making it so.
If it was something that was an nominal decision then I'd agree with you. But to not give devs early access to a new OS release before their users strikes me as a nonsensical decision. Yeah okay, you might be able to say that “the changes are so minimal that apps wont't be affected” but even allowing for this, it's devs who can make or break a new OS, so you NEED them on your side.

Not too bothered about early access for the volume licensers, as long as TechNet folks (who tend to be the movers and shakers in the IT depts) get their access. And no, I'm not a TN subscriber - wrong OS for me. ;)

This goes down under the heading of “easily avoidable mistakes” in my book.
Posted by TheAnimus - Tue 10 Sep 2013 11:01
I think Microsoft are struggling with some MBA or similar management that's come in at a fairly senior level. Luckily they appear to be learning that they are wrong.

It reminds me of the story about the sesame seeds on burger buns.
Posted by Noxvayl - Tue 10 Sep 2013 11:03
kingpotnoodle
Why does everyone whinge and call it a U-Turn when they listen to the community? You all bitch and moan about things you don't like and then bitch and moan more when they react and alter their stance. It's just plain silly, have you all never changed your mind about something?

Well done Microsoft for listening to a good suggestion and making it so.
Listen to the community ask them to do the same thing that they have been doing for years… There is a difference between moaning and pointing out that Microsoft are making mistakes that they never used to, things they should of already established as good practice are now being stopped and then re-instated when the community tells them they were right the first time.

Microsoft have gotten it right with releasing their operating systems before but this time they got it wrong, why? They didn't just make the change without any thought going into it. The concerning thing is the fact that they somehow thought it would be better to do things that way, and are continually thinking it is better to act in a way that does no benefit their customers only to then change their minds when their customers voice concerns. There is a big difference between incorporating feedback into what you do and consistently getting decisions wrong and having to be convinced that they are wrong after they have been made so that what ends up happening is beneficial to their customers.

You respond as if Microsoft have made a good decision and then had their customers point out that a little extra would be better and implemented that. They aren't incorporating feedback into their actions, they are doing things that have a negative impact on customers(or announcing that they will) and then retracting that when the customers complain. Effectively they are providing a worse service until customers complain and then falling in line with what is acceptable which is a concerning way of operating.

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