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.