Paul Thurrott tweeted on August 23 that Windows 8.1 has RTM’d. Apparently the final build number from Microsoft is 9600.16384.130821-1623.
In addition, Mary Jo Foley spoke to some contacts who essentially confirmed the assertion after checking with some of her internal sources. The rumor is that Microsoft waited to RTM because of the news about Steve Ballmer on Friday.
It seems weird to me, I would have assumed that they would have waited for a triumphant RTM announcement and then had Steve Ballmer resign a little later.
Paul Thurrott’s Tweet
The real question will now be whether Microsoft will release the code before the announced October release date. At this point, that’s not clear.
What’s also not clear is whether the improvements provided by Windows 8.1 will be enough to stem the reputation bleeding that Windows 8 has taken. At this point, it seems to me that people are generally lackadaisical about the whole thing and may be waiting for Windows 9.
Or maybe not even waiting at all. What do you think?
Use the comments below to tell us what you think.
All Comments
I cant wait.
Even more bullshit with a Metro face!
You are not forced to use
windows OS. You are not forced to upgrade to 8.1. You should install one of the many Linux distros.
Naaah I’ll just use OS X. The problem is that Microsoft is fast losing relevance in Operating Systems. Whatever!
Uh, what’s the OS percentage worldwide by company? It would take many many YEARS for Microsoft to lose relevance. Let’s see some facts that indicate that, instead of buying into sheepletalk. Fact is, I could care less if you use OS X or not. So why would you care what anyone else is using. I mean, more power to you. And at the end of the day, it’s none of your concern who is using what, right? Keep dreaming…
You know the phrase “Whatever” is really the lack of a good comeback.
Yeah and take into account that Windows 7 actually gained share. Windows Phone is also growing. Microsoft is not even close to losing relevance. Not to mention that a lot of people are anticipating 8.1. We will see a significant increase in Windows 8.x usage over the next year. The only thing left for Microsoft really to do is to market their second generation of tablets properly and sell them at a competitive price point.
Exactly so, @disqus_aUjJoK3PRk:disqus!
Oh ya, sure. Windows is losing relevance with about 75 percent of market share. OS X has about five percent and iOS is somewhere between 10 and 15 percent and dropping.
Last I checked, OS is not consistent across PC, Tablet and Phone. Maybe Apple is losing relevance. I love the Samsung Galaxy commercials that poke fun at how far behind the iPhone is. Apple is for cults. Windows is for real business productivity!
I cant wait.
Even more bullshit with a Metro face!
You are not forced to use
windows OS. You are not forced to upgrade to 8.1. You should install one of the many Linux distros.
The timing is good for Microsoft and Windows 8.1 , they see and know the people are holding there breath and confused brought on by all the negativity lately and poor quality and ready to walk away, they have got to start taking steps in the right direction to gain the peoples confidence back as Microsoft once was and hopefully they will see this is the first step. Even a bear in the woods knows when its time to go home and hibernate , not trying to ugly .. but it the trust that the people but in you and the confidence in that trust that keeps one on top .. lose it .. you lose:
Comment deleted because it was covered already by Onoura, and it was stupid. 🙂 It would be pretty cool if Microsoft moves the date up because of Steve Ballmer leaving, but I doubt they will.
I downloaded and experimented with the pre-release. New features are very helpful. Can’t wait for its official release. I am using both a desktop and tablet with Windows 8, and I wouldn’t go back to Win 7 if you paid me! It’s stable and I like the start screen and “metro” applications. Detractors need to get over it and get on the bandwagon!
I for one am not happy with Microsoft and Windows 8 or 8.1 as it is. The system seems to be very stable but not very customizable right out of the box. Microsoft seems to have tried to control the users experience and what they can change. NOT RIGHT AT ALL. With 3rd party apps it can become the UI you want. But if you have the UI set they way you want with the 8.1 upgrade that seems to all be lost and you are back at the Microsoft UI that they think everyone in the world should use. So all in all I do not like the direction Microsoft is taking.