Microsoft released the Windows 8.1 Preview today, as part of the announcements made during //Build/ 2013 and TechEd Europe 2013. While in the past with Preview releases of Windows, you would be stuck waiting for deployment, management and customization tools, this release is a complete package from day 1:
Download Windows 8.1 Preview
You can download the Windows 8.1 Preview ISO files or install the Windows 8.1 Preview update from the Windows Store:
Windows 8.1 Preview ISO files (x86 and x64)
Windows 8.1 Preview ISO (*.iso) files are provided as an alternative to downloading Windows 8.1 Preview through Windows Store. You should only use the ISO files if you are an advanced user and want to install the preview on another partition, another PC, or a virtual machine.
The *.iso files are available for download in another twelve languages, including Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. Click here.
Windows 8.1 Preview Update in the Windows Store
If you’re using Windows 8, you can use the Windows Store upgrader. Click the Get the update button on the Windows 8.1 Preview web site with Windows 8 (any version) or Windows RT and follow the steps. Run the small installer and then visit the Windows Store to download the update and the install from there… It will detect your Windows RT or Windows 8 version and deliver the correct version of the install.
If you are going to use the Windows Store installer, be sure to create a Recovery disc or disk before proceeding. Do not skip this step, because you won’t be able to upgrade from the Preview to the Release to Manufactures (RTM) version of Windows 8.1; You will need the recovery media to get things back to normal.
Note
The Windows 8.1 Preview won't (currently) install on some newer Atom-based PCs. Microsoft has a list on its web site.
Download RSAT for Windows 8.1 Preview
The Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8.1 Preview for Windows 8.1 Preview enables IT administrators to manage roles and features that are installed on computers that are running Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview from a remote computer that is running Windows 8.1 Preview.
Download ADK for Windows 8.1 Preview
Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) for Windows 8.1 Preview
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) is a collection of tools that you can use to customize, assess, and deploy Windows operating systems to new computers.
Download MDT 2013 Preview
The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013 Preview can be used to deploy Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview, as well as Windows 7 and Windows 8 families of operating systems. The 2013 Preview version adds support for the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8.1 Preview (above).
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