Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM Availability and Release Schedule Timeline
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Windows 7 Server) has been released to manufacturing (RTM), with the same build version with Windows 7, that’s 6.1.7600.16385. The difference is that the availability schedule of Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM code will be faster than RTM release schedule of Windows 7.
Windows Server Division Weblog has published information on when to expect Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM, which detailed public availability and release schedule of Windows Server 2008 R2. Again, how early one can accesses the official download of Windows Server 2008 R2 depends on which category is his or her relationship with Microsoft falls in. Of course, that doesn’t stop everybody else to download leaked DVD ISO images from Internet especially using BT torrent when it’s available.
Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM Release Schedule
Partners & OEMs
ISV (Independent software vendor) and IHV (Independent hardware vendor) partners will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM from MSDN starting on August 14th. MSDN will post in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish on August 14th and will roll out the remaining languages starting August 21st.
Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM through the Microsoft Partner Program (MPP) Portal on August 19th.
Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM starting August 23rd.
OEMs will receive Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM in English and all Language Packs on July 29th. The remaining languages will be available around August 11th.
Volume Licensing Customers
If you are a Volume License (VL) customer with an existing Software Assurance (SA) license, you will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM on August 19th via the Volume License Service Center (VLSC).
Volume License customers without a SA license will be able to purchase Windows Server 2008 R2 through Volume Licensing on September 1st.
IT Professionals
IT Professionals with TechNet Subscriptions will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish on August 14th and all remaining languages beginning August 21st.
Developers
Developers with MSDN Subscriptions will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish on August 14th and all remaining languages starting August 21st.
Technical Enthusiasts
Starting on August 20, the 180 day evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 R2 is available for download from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/try-it.aspx
Retail Channel
Windows Server 2008 R2 will be available in the retail channel on September 14th.
Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM Release Time Line
July 29 2009: OEMs (English and all Language Packs)
August 11 2009:OEMs (Remaining languages)
August 14 2009: MSDN subscribers, TechNet subscribers, ISV (independent software vendor) and IHV (independent hardware vendor) partners (English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish)
August 19 2009: Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified members via Microsoft Partner Program (MPP) Portal and Volume Licensing Customers with an existing Software Assurance (SA) license via Volume License Service Center (VLSC)
August 20 2009: 180 days evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM available for free download from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/try-it.aspx
August 21 2009: MSDN subscribers, TechNet Subscribers ISV and IHV partners (Remaining languages)
August 23 2009: Microsoft Action Pack subscribers
September 1 2009: Volume License customers without a SA license can purchase Windows Server 2008 R2 through Volume Licensing
September 14 2009: General availability (GA) of Windows Server 2008 R2 on retail channel.
User can download the leaked home-made Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM Build 7600.16385.
Related Articles
- Windows Vista and Server 2008 SP2 RC Released to MSDN/TechNet with Official Public Availability Starts Next Week
- Release Schedule Info for Vista SP1 Thru Windows Update
- Windows 7 RTM GA Launch and MSDN/TechNet Release Schedule Roadmap
- Windows 7 RTM Availability Time-Line Update
- Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 Available for Download at MSDN and TechNet
- Microsoft Released SP2 Release Candidate (6002.16670.090130) for Vista and Server 2008
- Download 32-bit (x86) Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP2 Beta Symbols (MSDN/TechNet 289914) DVD ISO Image via Torrent
- Download Key Management Service (KMS) 1.2 for Windows Server 2003 for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 Volume Activation
- Windows 7 RTM Release Schedule Roadmap and Anytime Upgrade from Vista
- Download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM Build 7600.16385 Leaked Home Made DVD ISO
Entries (RSS)
August 18th, 2009 03:24
[...] Windows Server 2008 R2 is the next iteration of Windows Server operating system, which has been RTMed with build version 6.1.7600.16385 together with Windows 7. Microsoft is now officially releasing the ISO image for Windows Server 2008 R2 Trial Software, which allowing administrators and users to install Windows Server 2008 R2 to evaluate the new operating system for 180 days for free. Windows Server 2008 R2 builds on the foundation of Windows Server 2008 to expand existing technology and add new features to enable organizations to increase the reliability and flexibility of their server infrastructures. In fact, the evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM has been released ahead of schedule. [...]
July 24th, 2009 01:08
[...] Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 have also been declared to RTM milestone by Windows Server Division Blog. Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 release schedule is little faster but almost similar when compared with Windows 7, with an evaluation software [...]