We recently heard that Microsoft successfully completed Windows 8.1 RTM, follow this news the first screenshot of the new version made it to the internet. Today IThome.com, a Chinese website, published a series of screenshots claiming are from build 9600 (the final version).
The new images show pretty much everything we’ve seen in Windows 8.1 Preview such as the return of the Start button and the improved Start screen with new tile sizes, but they also show a new set of desktop and lock wallpapers that are more colorful than previous releases.
Microsoft still has to announce that the Release To Manufacturing (RTM) build is golden. The latest rumor is that the company may submit a press release today. If that isn’t the case we will hear something this week.
Previously the software giant officially confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be available worldwide on October 18th, and In the U.S., users with the new OS will have access to download the bits one day earlier via the Windows Store. So everything seems to be on schedule.
Update: I just caught a Tweet from Rafael Rivera, the guy behind the WithinWindows websites, and he shared a link from Imgur showing a cleaner look of the new “yellow” Windows 8.1 desktop.
https://twitter.com/WithinRafael/status/372053507458596864
Update: Check out two more leak shots that surface today onto the web. The following images are from the final Windows 8.1 English version and were published by Paul Thurrott of WinSuperSite.com.
Update: Do you want to see even more screenshots? Check out the gallery from The Collection Book, there you’ll find 451 images from alleged Windows 8.1 Enterprise x64 build 6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623).
Source IThome.com and Win8China
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].