Your Guide to the Latest Windows Server Product Information
Howdy! Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for. I’m proud to announce that Windows Server 2012 has been released to manufacturing. That means the final code is complete and we are delivering it to our hardware and software vendor partners this week. We will also make the software available to our volume licensing customers in the next couple of weeks.
Get out your calendars and free up some time on September 4. That’s when Windows Server 2012 will be generally available for evaluation and purchase by all customers around the world. On that day we will also host an online launch event where our executives, engineers, customers and partners will share more about how Windows Server 2012 can help organizations of all sizes realize the benefits of what we call the Cloud OS. You will be able to learn more about the features and capabilities and connect with experts and peers. You’ll also be able to collect points along the way for the chance to win some amazing prizes. You don’t want to miss it. Visit this site to save the date for the launch event.
On behalf of the Windows Server engineering team, I can tell you it has been a thrill and honor for us to deliver this product. Most importantly, we thank the many thousands of you who have provided your input and guidance throughout the process of designing and building it. So far the hands-on feedback on the product from you, industry analysts and press has been phenomenally positive. I attribute that to the fact that, from the outset, we committed ourselves to building Windows Server 2012 around the needs and goals of our customers and partners. It feels great to ship software that so squarely addresses customer objectives, both in the here and now and in the future. Cheers!
Jeffrey
Ridiculous! Microsoft Partners will have to ask their customers for the final bits...
@Kevin and @Microsoft Server & Cloud Platform Team
I have patiently waited for the last week to see Microsoft provide answers to the numerous posts around mainly the following questions:
1) Can you explain the reasoning behind not providing the Windows Server 2012 RTM bits to MSDN/TechNet subscribers?
2) Will Microsoft's decision be changed to allow MSDN/TechNet subscribers access to the Windows Server 2012 RTM bits prior to the GA launch on September 4th?
I was optimistic that Microsoft would change their decision to withhold the Windows Server 2012 RTM bits and make it available for download today, 1 week prior to the GA launch. However, that time has come and passed and again, nothing from Microsoft other than, "we appreciate the continued excitement and interest" and "we look forward to your participation in the online launch" from August 22nd. It is troubling to me that no one from Microsoft has provided answer(s) to explain this decision. I, along with other IT Professionals, purchased my subscription to gain access to Microsoft's RTM bits prior to GA. This usually provides three to two weeks for me to test the RTM bits, uncover issues, and look for resolutions prior to my customers gaining access to the software, installing in their production environments, and then calling me for support when something breaks.
Instead, I have lost two weeks of testing productivity, and still have one week left before gaining access to the Windows Server 2012 RTM bits. While I have been using Windows Server 2012 RC, I will not accept testing the Release Candidate as an alternative to that testing the actual RTM bits. My leader will not accept this as valid testing and neither would my customers. So, I, along with numerous other IT Professionals, wait to gain access to the RTM bits, wasting more time.
Do you need more of us to post these types of comments before someone from Microsoft will reply? If so, please state that and I am sure it will not be a problem. I did not want to state the same "heartburn" that has been posted over and over by my peers, unless of course that is what you are wanting.
As Kevin stated, you (Microsoft) are listening, we have posted our concerns, now can we please get answers to our questions?
I know for a fact that Microsoft has already delivered the RTM code to more than just VL and OEM partners, so that's an out and out lie. Mark Minasi, for example, has the RTM code right now installed on his machine. He's a one-man shop, not an OEM or Volume License guy (although he is pretty amazing). So, please Microsoft, stop with the lies and just tell us either a) we don't value you as a MSDN subscriber. Our attempts to placate you and "listen" are complete bs to hold you off for the fourths of Sept for some unknown reason we are not going to be stating so just shut up already. or b) yes, we love our MSDN subscribers and have made a grave mistake. Here are the bits available immediately.
Will also the data center edition be available at that date?
Looking back, I guess the Server & Cloud team did give us a clear indication that they are no longer supporting MSDN customers, and are not going to be responding to this discussion. They handed it off to the cash side of the house:
"to discuss a volume licensing agreement for your company, we suggest contacting your Microsoft account representative." - MS Server & Cloud team
@Kevin, however, specifically solicited comments, but the team seems to have silenced him as well.
I guess in light of the server team not responding to our feedback and delaying the release for Technet members 3 weeks, we should all assume the worst - that the current Server 2012 RTM has major problems that are still being fixed. I'm assuming (again, since nobody can tell me differently) that the server team is just trying to protect us. I mean, what other possible reason could there be?
First let me start by saying – Wow. This thread clearly shows just how engaged and passionate you guys are, which is great to see.
I want to stress that we certainly did not set out to slight our MSDN and TechNet subscribers. The timeframe between RTM and GA was so short this time around that we figured no one would mind the gap. Obviously you do and I want you to know we have read through all of your feedback and looked hard for a solution that would allow us to adjust the dates for you. Unfortunately we just couldn’t find one. I can promise that we will definitely take this into account for future releases.
September 4th is right around the corner and RTM bits will be available to you then. We are super excited about launch and obviously you are too. It is a great release and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it.
Thank you for the feedback!
--Jeffrey
p.s. as a reminder Volume Licensing customers can access RTM bits now through the Volume Licensing Service Center
"looked hard for a solution that would allow us to adjust the dates for you. Unfortunately we just couldn’t find one."
What do you mean you can't find a solution or adjust the dates? Why can't you just post the bits on tech net/msdn and update the keys database. It's that easy. You do it all the time for hundreds of other products, but you can't do it for Windows 2012 server? Sounds like a bunch of malarky to me if you couldn't find a solution.
Can I now get a refund or discount on my subscription since the major reason I even purchased it was to get software prior to GA?
If it's available now via VL, why isn't it available to VL MSDN subscribers too?
"I want to stress that we certainly did not set out to slight our MSDN and TechNet subscribers."
>> How did you think we were going to feel?
"The timeframe between RTM and GA was so short this time around that we figured no one would mind the gap."
>> Who thought that? They should be fired. I don't believe that anyone within Microsoft truly felt that way (at least I hope not).
".. looked hard for a solution that would allow us to adjust the dates for you. Unfortunately we just couldn’t find one. "
>> How about simply posting the bits? Doesn't that solve the problem? The VS 2012 and Win8 teams seemed to be able to figure this out. Help us understand your challenges.
"September 4th is right around the corner..."
>> Please do not say this again. It is insulting and is the second time a Microsoft employee has stated it in a post.
Overall, I can't help but feeling Microsoft is being dishonest with this whole situation. I'm not sure if it is intentional or simply through lack of transparency. I don't for a second believe anyone in Redmond would think this decision would not upset some of your most loyal advocates so the question is why take such a stance to keep the product from MSDN/TechNet customers. Are there technical issues that are not being disclosed? Was it to try and build more hype for release day? Whatever the reason, the PR handling of this situation was an EPIC FAIL.
Jeffrey,
I can't help but feel deceived here. Sorry to say, but I'm having a very difficult time understanding the "couldn't find a solution" explanation. Can you please explain to us exactly why you can't find a solution for TechNet/MSDN, but you were able to find a solution for VL? Why can you not adjust the dates?
Please help us understand your position here because at the moment...sorry...I'm not buying your blanket and vague explanation. I'm also amazed that anyone thought we wouldn't mind the delay. If that is truly the case, then those individuals have not a clue about the TechNet/MSDN audience.
Obviously there are bugs and other issues that are preventing the server team from releasing this.
These days in IT, three weeks is an eternity.....long hours are the norm and this delay will just result in more long hours post release. As consumers of a service we can vote with our pocket books as MSDN or Technet renewal time.
The Windows 8 and Intune admins can get things done ahead of schedule...so why can't the Server 2012 team accomplish the same feat?
"Microsoft officials confirmed availability, noting that Intune users are getting access to the bits a few days earlier than originally scheduled. Intune users were slated to get the Windows 8 RTM bits on September 1 -- the same day that volume-license customers without Software Assurance are supposed to get them."
www.zdnet.com/windows-intune-users-final-windows-8-bits-are-available-for-download-7000003510
Just saying...
Jeffrey-
I would like to "echo" the same comments as @SAS71 . I have a feeling we will not hear back from a Microsoft Associate since it is Thursday afternoon, going into a Holiday Weekend. However, I am very frustrated that Windows 8 was made available to Intune Users 1 day ahead of schedule. That proves it can be accomplished, so what gives? It would seem Windows 8 carries more weight than Server 2012 or at least the Windows 8 Team understands the importance of providing the RTM Bits early for testers.
You stated the short timeframe between RTM and GA and you did not think it would be an issue to MSDN/TechNet Professionals, that makes no sense. You should understand that short timeframe puts more pressure on us to test our applications in a shorter timeframe???
While I do not expect to see another comment from a Microsoft Associate, I agree with my peers, can we have access to the RTM Bits early to allow some time for testing and/or why this decision was actually made in the first place?