A new claim from noted Microsoft reporter Paul Thurrott states, via unnamed sources, that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be made available to download April 8th for the general public. However, MSDN subscribers will still get access to the final build ahead of that date, although not as early as usual.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 will hit MSDN on April 2, Windows Update on April 8
— Paul Thurrott (@thurrott) February 27, 2014
According to a message on his Twitter account, Thurrott says that MSDN users will be able to access Update 1 on April 2nd, less than a week before the final build will be launched. Usually, MSDN subscribers can get new Windows builds several weeks ahead of their general availability date.
Previous rumors put an early April date for the release of Update 1, but this is the first indication about when MSDN users could get their hands on it. Leaked builds of Update 1 indicate it will bring a number of small but significant changes to Windows 8.1, mostly for its use by desktop PC owners who work with the old fashioned keyboard and mouse.
April 8th also happens to be Microsoft"s "Patch Tuesday" for that month where it will release a number of software and firmware updates for a number of products besides Windows 8.1. It also happens to be the last day Microsoft will officially support Windows XP with any patches or security fixes after 12 years of support.
Source: Paul Thurrott on Twitter| Image via Win8China