The thing about companywide initiatives is that (almost) everything moves in sync. This was actually Microsoft’s plan when it announced the codenamed Windows Blue initiative, early this year.
And save for Windows Phone 8.1, most other elements are going according to plan.
Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Enterprise, along with newer versions of Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Intune and System Center 2012 R2 are on track to be released on the same day — October 18 to be precise.
Now we can add another operating system to this list.
Windows Embedded 8.1 has also reached RTM status. The operating platform aimed at industry devices has now moved one step closer to the public launch, Microsoft recently announced.
Cuong Pham shared the news in a blog post, saying:
“Today, the Windows team shared that we have started releasing Windows 8.1 to our hardware partners, including Windows Embedded 8.1.
This important and exciting milestone builds on the platform alignment we discussed during the release of Windows Embedded 8 by marking Microsoft’s first simultaneous release of Windows across devices – from the smallest tablets to the most lightweight notebooks to versatile 2-in-1s, as well as industry devices and intelligent systems for business.”
For better or for worse (depending on who is doing the talking), Microsoft is looking into a simultaneous release for all 8.1 refreshes of its platforms, meaning TechNet and MSDN subscribers are not able to get their hands on these RTM builds — from Microsoft, that is.
Leaked ISOs are very likely to reach the web in the weeks to come, though expectedly, Microsoft recommends everyone to wait for the official release in October.
