In a flurry of product releases, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 today.

Windows 8.1

Upgrade to GA today

As a free upgrade to Windows 8, Windows 8.1 is now available as an update in the Windows Store, unless an administrator has blocked it.

Upgrade RTM installations

If you already have deployed the Windows 8.1 RTM bits (thanks to your TechNet, MSDN or VLSC subscription benefits), all you need to do is apply these three updates on top to be current:

• 2883200 Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 GA Update Rollup
• 2884846 Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 update rollup: October 2013
• 2895219 Runtimebroker.exe process crashes in Windows 8.1

Start your evaluations

If you’ve been holding off deploying Windows 8.1 in your organization, now is a good time to start evaluating. Download the x86 and/or x64 versions of Windows 8.1 Enterprise ISO here.

Install the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT)

To manage Windows Servers from Windows 8.1, Microsoft has also mode the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) available for Windows 8.1. Download them here.

Install these great apps

Coinciding with the Windows 8.1 release, new Windows 8.1-specific apps from Facebook, Netflix, eBay, Evernote, Adobe, Disney and Box were also released today.

Windows Server 2012 R2

Install the GA version today

The General Availability version is available for download from TechNet, MSDN and the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) today. This version includes all the fixes that were reported by other Microsoft product teams, OEMs, and RDP customers.

Upgrade RTM installations

If you already have deployed the Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM bits (thanks to your TechNet, MSDN or VLSC subscription benefits), all you need to do is apply these two updates on top to be current:

• 2883200 Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 GA Update Rollup
• 2884846 Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 update rollup: October 2013

A General Availability rollup, a performance update and a fix for Runtimebroker.exe.  You don't need to first reinstall the Windows 8.1 RTM bits that are available for download today.

Related blogposts

Is your organization ready for Windows 8.1? Part 1, Overview
Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 now available to TechNet and MSDN Subscribers

Further reading

Microsoft starts rolling out Windows 8.1
Update to Windows 8.1: FAQ
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 now available!