Microsoft's Blue wave of Windows, tools and services updates has started breaking complete with an early glimpse of the Windows 8.1 start button.

The company revealed on Tuesday the availability of Windows Server and System Center 2012 RT, Windows Intune and SQL Server 2014 and Visual Studio 2013. MSDN subscribers had started downloading the new code early Tuesday morning.

Brad Anderson, corporate vice president of Windows Server and Systems Center made the formal announcement at TechEd Europe, in Madrid, Spain.

Windows Server is the first hands-on experience devs will get of the new Windows 8.1 Start button, introduced following an outcry from users and tanking Windows 8 sales.

The full Windows 8.1 preview code is due to be made available for release on Wednesday - the first day of Microsoft's BUILD conference in San Francisco, California.

The company had told attendees of TechEd North America earlier in the month that the wave of Windows releases would be made available on or around 26 June. ®

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