Is the leaked RTM version REALLY RTM - I have my doubts

Hi there
This Leaked version IMO won't be the FINAL version -- I can't imagine the FINAL version having Windows Enterprise N Build 9200 embossed on the desktop screen when the final is released -- so this is probably a "Pre-build". I really can't imagine the Retail / Corporate versions of W8 being watermarked.

Sorry to disappoint everyone but this can't be the one that Ms will officially release --even though the differences might be microscopic.

Just to re-iterate --It DOES NOT prompt for a product key at any point of the install process -- you get a decent quick little tutorial on Navigation while it's finalizing your devices - and the hardware detection is pretty good.

Installed via Bootable USB. -- See Shawn's excellent tutorial on creating a bootable usb from the ISO -- I used the Manual version as per Win 7 Forums rather than download the USB tool which doesn't always work. The Manual version works 100% of the time.

Installed on a small netbook (tried that as I don't use the netbook much any more) - I was going to do it on a VM but as I have a spare computer why not.

Installed in less than 12 mins - and that's on a small Netbook. Hardware detection also better than W7 or W8 RP too.

Other than that it doesn't have any expiration date as far as I can see -- and I'm not sure how many days you have before it needs to be activated.

Add a W7 theme or two -- can't see what all the "Uglification fuss" is about --Looks fine to me. You can also change the desktop images too if you don't like them --they are only jpegs.

Cheers
jimbo
 
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Well. With me it was curiosity. Couldn't wait until 15th, lol. But, as it was a preliminary download, I didn't see much point in making an ISO from it. I just un-rared and ran setup from the folder.
As I said before, though, I agree - there are two many anomalies here for this to be the final RTM.
Expiry? I don't know, but do OEMs to manufacturers have expiry dates?
 

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Hi there
I needed something to boot with on the netbook as I didn't have an OS installed on it - so my source was an iso which I made a bootable usb stick out of and the netbook doesn't have any DVD's

I'll try Office 2013 again on it -- I won't have it on my main computer as it's too hideously White - but like you say curiosity.

I won't install too much on this version as I don't think it will last very long.

BTW if you DO see a leaked version of W8 PRO I'd be a bit more wary as W8 PRO would be a RETAIL product (W8 Enterprise isn't) and as such will certainly want a product key at INSTALL time --and if you don't have one then --Tough !!! wasted download. !!!

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Hi thereThis Leaked version IMO won't be the FINAL version -- I can't imagine the FINAL version having Windows Enterprise N Build 9200 embossed on the desktop screen when the final is released -- so this is probably a "Pre-build". I really can't imagine the Retail / Corporate versions of W8 being watermarked.Sorry to disappoint everyone but this can't be the one that Ms will officially release --even though the differences might be microscopic.Cheers jimbo
Lol Windows 8 was signed off and the Leak is indeed the Final RTM Version. The watermark is there because the OS isn"t Activated !!!
 

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You obviously have some first hand info on that?
 

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It's the real RTM, the watermark is because it is not activated.

Pro leaked a few hours ago and there are a "Demo" key out that can be used to install it :)
 

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Huh, I have suspicions too, but I'll download the latest leak and see. I agree, it doesn't strike me as a finished RTM build. Not only the watermark, but there are a couple of new sounds that don't have an entry in the sound scheme settings. Odd, why make new sounds if they can't be used? Also the fact that the Aero iconography is still there on the Desktop, maybe to pacify the changes? I don't get it. I must had taken it too literal when Microsoft said Office 2013 was built for 8, I assumed that the new icon set in the suite will be reflected in the final build of Windows 8, along with the window control buttons, a red rectangle isn't what I had in mind. And, there's also the fact that Areo was taken off the windows and just made solid. I'd had though it would had turned into a colored few pixels around the window with a colored bar on the bottom of the window, for Explorer.
 

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What aero iconography are you referring to?
 

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It seems totally legit to me. They said Aero would be gone - it's gone. I don't know what you're talking about with the iconography.

That said, I've removed it from my system - I learned what I needed to learn, and will now wait until October 26th... and make my decision then. In the meantime, I really like my Windows 7, with a nice touch of Aero and Glass. Not too much, just a touch :)
 

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Downloading of these leaked copies is just ridiculous. Seriously, you guys cannot wait a couple of weeks for the real deal?
 

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Capture.JPG
This versus...
1.JPG
this.

What strikes you as being more being along with Windows 8's design versus what aligns with the past two versions of Windows?
 

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Or this. Capture.JPG
 

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Huh. So I just found some screenshots of Windows 8 Pro, the same as Enterprise but with Media Player. The watermark is still there and it appears it stays there until you activate Windows.
 

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Downloading of these leaked copies is just ridiculous. Seriously, you guys cannot wait a couple of weeks for the real deal?

It's not "just ridiculous". I don't have a TechNet subscription, nor MSDN, so I'd be waiting until October, not a couple of weeks. Like I said, I checked out a few things that were possible concerns and then deleted it.
 

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@cokie Ribbon and recycle bin look just fine to me.

Assuming you don't mind ribbons , of course.

You might want everything to look flat, 2 dimensional ,and boring.
 

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It's not "just ridiculous". I don't have a TechNet subscription, nor MSDN, so I'd be waiting until October, not a couple of weeks.
But either way, you have the Preview release version of Windows 8 that you can use which is clean and freely available. There is not going to be a substantial difference in the RTM version that would make gaining experience and spending more time in the Preview release a waste of time. If this was the "only" way that you could see or have used Windows 8 ahead of time, it would make a bit more sense to me, but it's not.

And sgage, my thoughts on this are not necessarily directed right to you. I see this on forums all of the time. Nobody wants the new version, nobody wants to run the new version and as soon as the new version becomes available, people start jumping through hoops and doing whatever is necessary to get their hands on it. It just cracks me up.
 

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It's not "just ridiculous". I don't have a TechNet subscription, nor MSDN, so I'd be waiting until October, not a couple of weeks.
But either way, you have the Preview release version of Windows 8 that you can use which is clean and freely available. There is not going to be a substantial difference in the RTM version that would make gaining experience and spending more time in the Preview release a waste of time. If this was the "only" way that you could see or have used Windows 8 ahead of time, it would make a bit more sense to me, but it's not.

And sgage, my thoughts on this are not necessarily directed right to you. I see this on forums all of the time. Nobody wants the new version, nobody wants to run the new version and as soon as the new version becomes available, people start jumping through hoops and doing whatever is necessary to get their hands on it. It just cracks me up.

The Release Preview did not have the final Desktop UI, which is what I am interested in. In fact, as soon as the RP was released, MS announce that the UI theme would be changed. What good is the Release Preview if it's not a Preview of what's going to be Released?

What we are trying to do is decide if we want the new version or not before we plunk down the cash, rather than finding out that the last minute changes that MS put in have changed everything. Not all of us (probably not most of us) have access to TN or MSDN. It's not ridiculous that we should want to see what's up, nor should it crack you up.
 

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The Release Preview did not have the final Desktop UI, which is what I am interested in. In fact, as soon as the RP was released, MS announce that the UI theme would be changed. What good is the Release Preview if it's not a Preview of what's going to be Released?
Well, I guess if that Desktop UI is the primary thing for you, it makes more sense.

What we are trying to do is decide if we want the new version or not before we plunk down the cash, rather than finding out that the last minute changes that MS put in have changed everything. Not all of us (probably not most of us) have access to TN or MSDN. It's not ridiculous that we should want to see what's up, nor should it crack you up.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to offend. It just didn't seem like to me that these small changes would really be a "showstopper". It would seem like some screenshots from those who get the RTM down the road might suffice in making the call. My concerns in these leaks are more concerns with security, malware, and activation schemes that might have been cooked into the code that is running.

I think I'm entitled to be cracked up if I want to be. It's a fun people watching experiment. I'm curious to see if people get ahold of this "RTM" release to review the final changes, find that their potentially activated copy continues to work, thus giving them essentially a "pirated" copy of the OS will continue to use it after release rather than plunk down their $39.
 

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most everything cracks me up, including illegal china pirated, edited OS's out months before the real thing, why bother?
 

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^ Thanks, at least I know I am not completely alone.
 

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