A couple of months ago, I published an online guide for partners to help you prepare for all of the product releases we have planned this year. That post has been updated a couple of times as we passed launch milestones for Windows Server 2012 and Visual Studio 2012 in September. Many partners have asked me whether there was a similar guide specific to Windows 8. Your wish is my command—I’ve compiled a list of links to the resources available to you that will help you build product knowledge, build apps and devices, get sales and technical training, and begin creating demand for your Windows 8 solutions. I’ll update this list as new information and resources become available: http://aka.ms/us-partner-windows-8. Download our companion slide to this post at http://docs.com/O77E.

This post was updated 12/29/2012.

Try Windows 8 yourself

• Visit a Microsoft Store to see Windows 8 in action on new devices. Find the store nearest you at http://www.microsoftstore.com/.
• Download your Windows 8 software as part of Microsoft Action Pack subscription or competency benefits. Learn about the Action Pack if you are not already a subscriber and do not have a competency.

Get to know Windows 8

• Download your Windows 8 software for internal use (Action Pack subscribers, silver competency, gold competency) https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Downloads/download-software.aspx
• Windows 8 on the U.S. partner portal https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Solutions/windows-8.aspx
• Evaluate Windows 8 Enterprise on TechNet (IT pros) at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx or MSDN (developers) at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/jj554510.aspx 
• Microsoft Demo Showcase offers short, concise Windows 8 demos that explain features, apps, and deployment tools http://demoshowcasesuite.com/Theme/Demos/Windows8
• Windows for your Business Blog http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/business/
• Windows 8 news on the Microsoft News Center http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/windows/
• On Twitter at http://twitter.com, follow @Windows @BuildWindows8 @MSFTnews @GenerationApp @msuspartner @mslearningcurve, and look for #Windows8 tweets

Showcase your company’s expertise and create customer demand

• Earn the Microsoft Devices and Deployment competency https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/membership/desktop-competency.aspx; use the learning path at http://assets.msleap365.com/content/lpguid/htmh/6F26BC8A4E674C7989E0A6DF37946556.htm to identify certification and assessment training
• Customer-ready presentations in the Windows 8 Partner Readiness Kit
• Profile your Windows solution, service, or app on Microsoft Pinpoint http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-US/partnercenter
• Create compelling Windows 8 sales presentations with Demo Showcase or use demos created by the Windows 8 Demo Team http://demoshowcasesuite.com/Theme/Demos/Windows8
• Talk to your customers about the Windows XP end of support on April 8, 2014 and help them get a free IDC migration assessment http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/endofsupport.aspx

Take advantage of sales, technical, licensing, and business training benefits and opportunities

• Windows 8 Hot Sheet provides a list of on-demand training by role for sales, licensing, business decision maker, IT pros, and developers
• Sign in to the Learning Plan Tool to create a Windows 8 sales or technical training plan for yourself and your team
• Follow the Devices and Deployment competency learning path for your role http://assets.msleap365.com/content/lpguid/htmh/6F26BC8A4E674C7989E0A6DF37946556.htm 
• Follow Windows 8 learning paths for your business model and role: distributor, ISV, LAR, systems integrator, VAR 
• Windows 8 Certifications http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa-windows-8.aspx
• Practice Accelerator for Optimized Desktop https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/training/practice-accelerator-for-optimized-desktop.aspx
• Incent your team to complete Windows 8 training through the U.S. Partner Training sweepstakes https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Training/training-sweepstakes.aspx
• Online guide “How to Stay Informed about Microsoft Partner Training” offers links to more training information http://aka.ms/usstayinformedtraining

Sales and licensing training and information

• Sales Skills accreditation for Desktop SMB, Desktop Enterprise, and Windows Intune Desktop http://www.microsoftsalesspecialist.com/Sales-Specialist.aspx
• The Windows 8 Partner Readiness Kit contains sales training materials and demo videos https://readytogo.microsoft.com/en-us/_layouts/RTG/AssetViewer.aspx?AssetUrl=https://readytogo.microsoft.com/en-us/Asset/Pages/Windows%208%20Partner%20Readiness%20Kit.aspx
• Sales Advisors and the Gear Up eToolkit http://ms-gearup.com/SalesMarketing/SalesResources/SalesAdvisors.aspx
• Short (under 10 minutes), Windows 8 feature-oriented demos on Demo Showcase Suite: Tablet for  Business; Mobile Broadband ; BitLocker; Trusted Boot; Storage Spaces; Windows-to-Go; Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Technical training and information

• Windows 8 resources for IT pros on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hh771457
• Windows Client resources for IT pros on TechNet (including XP end of support information) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows
• Earn the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) for Windows 8 (or upgrade your existing Windows 7 MCITP certification) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa-windows-8.aspx
• Windows 8 Deployment Tools 30-minute demo on Demo Showcase Suite http://www.demoshowcasesuite.com/demos/f83ba244-45fa-4ab4-814f-9ba479848d2d
• Windows To Go Feature Overview http://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh831833.aspx
• Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30652
• Secure Windows 8 with technologies like AppLocker, BitLocker, and Windows Firewall http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh832031.aspx

Build apps

• Use the Windows Dev Center to find Windows 8 design assets, app samples, and other app tools http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/default.aspx 
• Register for upcoming Windows 8 Hands-on Labs Online training events http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/jj554680
• Generation App will help you launch your Windows 8 in 30 days http://www.generationapp.com/
• Windows 8 DevCamps http://msdnevents.com/Default.aspx?keyword=hackathon&slider=0
• Microsoft Application Acceleration Program http://aka.ms/uswindows8maap
• Develop, test, and market your solutions with Microsoft Platform Ready http://www.microsoftplatformready.com/us/home.aspx
• Government, Health, and Education app developers – participate in the Public Sector TechBytes webcasts 

Build devices

• Windows 8 materials and resources on the Microsoft OEM website http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/products/windows/Pages/index.aspx
• Windows 8 materials and resources on the Microsoft OEM Sales Center http://www.oemsalescenter.com/products/Windows8 
• Windows 8 Training Sweepstakes on the OEM Sales Center (ends October 28; official rules) 
• Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30652

Sell licenses

• Windows 8 licensing news and links from Microsoft Volume Licensing https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/licensing/get-licensing-news.aspx#news
• Windows 8 and Windows RT Volume Licensing guide for partners https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/licensing/downloads/windows-8-licensing-guide-for-partners.aspx
• Windows 8 Flexible Workstyle – Partner Licensing provides information about Windows 8 editions (sign in required for access)
• Download the most current licensing price lists https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/licensing/price-lists.aspx
• License Advisors http://ms-gearup.com/Licensing/LicenseAdvisors.aspx

Stay informed through social, blogs, and community

• Join the U.S. partner community on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn http://aka.ms/uspcommunity
• Find and follow Microsoft-managed, product-related Twitter feeds https://twitter.com/msuspartner/productreleases/members
• Read the U.S. partner newsletter online at http://aka.ms/uspnewsletter
• Choose your favorite way(s) to stay informed http://aka.ms/uspstayinformed

Use your Microsoft Partner Network membership benefits and get product support

• For membership assistance, contact the Regional Service Center by phone, email, or chat http://aka.ms/uspartnersupport
• Access unlimited, no-cost technical support for Windows Client technologies https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Support/online-technical-communities.aspx
• Download your Windows 8 software for internal use (Action Pack subscribers, silver competency, gold competency) https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Downloads/download-software.aspx
• Understand membership opportunities and related benefits https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Membership/overview.aspx