Tuesday, August 27th 2013

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Goes RTM

Today, via a Blogging Windows post, Microsoft has confirmed that both Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 have reached the RTM (release to manufacturing) milestone. This Windows version brings back the Start button and also features Internet Explorer 11, SkyDrive integration, an updated Windows Store experience, DPI scaling improvements (enabling better readability on high-DPI displays), 3D printing support, more customization options, tweaked mouse and keyboard navigation, and a boot-to-desktop option.

Windows 8.1 will become available (to business customers, consumers, as well as MSDN and TechNet subscribers) on October 18th.
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83 Comments on Microsoft Windows 8.1 Goes RTM

#51
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
johnspackThe stupid start button is easily fixed, it's called Classicshell. Works perfect. What I want is free disk space ect in the status bar in windows explorer, I have a dozen partitions, I need to see space free at all times. Why gone in Win8?
I know with Start 8 it's there I believe, i.e. 238Gb free of 298. It shows that for each partition and drive. Is that what you're talking about?
Posted on Reply
#52
AphexDreamer
erockerYou can't grasp the idea that people are different internally and externally? Really, this is a good thing.
Clearly people are different, that is not at all what I am getting at. I'm just leaning more towards the idea that it is the individual that is being stubborn rather than the OS that is being difficult. So that which differentiates me from being able to use Windows 8 with that of someone who can't is merely because I'm willing to accept the changes. Which they are easy to accept due to the fact they bring about no reduced productivity whatsoever in my OS experience, which I feel should be more or less the same across every user of Windows 8 ('m no better at scrolling/moving a pointer than the next person...).

Its like having two exact cars, except the driver side is on the left for one and on the right for the other. Any human being who can drive a car will be able to use either car with no ill effect towards driving it (ignoring the standards of countries here). Now one can say they don't like cars with the driver seat on the left and that's fine, but to go out and say that cars with left side driver seats are worse for reasons a, b and c than cars with right side driver seats is absurd.

That is where I step in. To try and show that its the matter of preference/stubbornness that is deterring them, not an actual hindrance in the OS itself. So people can complain all they want about what they don't like. I don't like marshmallows in my coco but I don't think plain coco is better or worse than the counterpart. Far to many people think Windows 8 is worse for being different when in fact it is just fine the way it is. Regardless Windows 8.1 has been developed to accommodate for the marshmallow lovers, perhaps they will reach a larger audience because of it.
Posted on Reply
#53
_Zod_
AphexDreamerClearly people are different, that is not at all what I am getting at. I'm just leaning more towards the idea that it is the individual that is being stubborn rather than the OS that is being difficult. So that which differentiates me from being able to use Windows 8 with that of someone who can't is merely because I'm willing to accept the changes. Which they are easy to accept due to the fact they bring about no reduced productivity whatsoever in my OS experience, which I feel should be more or less the same across every user of Windows 8 ('m no better at scrolling/moving a pointer than the next person...).

Its like having two exact cars, except the driver side is on the left for one and on the right for the other. Any human being who can drive a car will be able to use either car with no ill effect towards driving it (ignoring the standards of countries here). Now one can say they don't like cars with the driver seat on the left and that's fine, but to go out and say that cars with left side driver seats are worse for reasons a, b and c than cars with right side driver seats is absurd.

That is where I step in. To try and show that its the matter of preference/stubbornness that is deterring them, not an actual hindrance in the OS itself. So people can complain all they want about what they don't like. I don't like marshmallows in my coco but I don't think plain coco is better or worse than the counterpart. Far to many people think Windows 8 is worse for being different when in fact it is just fine the way it is. Regardless Windows 8.1 has been developed to accommodate for the marshmallow lovers, perhaps they will reach a larger audience because of it.
The market disagrees with you. In other words, the mob says Windows 8 is inferior to Windows 7. Mob rules. There is no disputing this.

Windows 8 is Microsoft's attempt at a walled in DRM garden that lacks fluid multitasking ala iOS. They just didn't have the time to remove the desktop or felt it would help with the transition by keeping it (in the background) for Microsoft's total control over your PC. Software as a service my friends, that is what most of these large software companies want to happen and the ball has started rolling.
Posted on Reply
#54
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
I was a Vista guy and was so stubborn to go for W7 that once I adapted I love it and cant see leaving it for 8.1...

Am I missing out not getting W8.1?

Drivers and such going to be a big deal?
Posted on Reply
#55
AphexDreamer
_Zod_The market disagrees with you. In other words, the mob says Windows 8 is inferior to Windows 7. Mob rules. There is no disputing this.

Windows 8 is Microsoft's attempt at a walled in DRM garden that lacks fluid multitasking ala iOS. They just didn't have the time to remove the desktop or felt it would help with the transition by keeping it (in the background) for Microsoft's total control over your PC. Software as a service my friends, that is what most of these large software companies want to happen and the ball has started rolling.
I don't care about Microsoft's market and mobs can rule all the want. I hate BS though.

As for everything else you say, I have no idea what you mean. You worked for Microsoft and knew what they were thinking and how they were allocating their time?
Posted on Reply
#56
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
fullinfusionI was a Vista guy and was so stubborn to go for W7 that once I adapted I love it and cant see leaving it for 8.1...

Am I missing out not getting W8.1?

Drivers and such going to be a big deal?
I'm a W7 guy, but I have a W8 PC also. Although I changed the interface to suit me, by using Start8 and ModernMix, what's under the hood is pretty good. file transfer times are very good, bootup time is quicker, and Explorer is easier to use. Now to answer your question, I have never seen a version of Windows need so few outside drivers! It is fantastic in the respect that virtually any old equipment I've thrown at it, it has easily said "what else have you got?" and everything has worked flawlessly. I've installed sound and Nvidia drivers, that's about it.
Posted on Reply
#57
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
rtwjunkieI'm a W7 guy, but I have a W8 PC also. Although I changed the interface to suit me, by using Start8 and ModernMix, what's under the hood is pretty good. file transfer times are very good, bootup time is quicker, and Explorer is easier to use. Now to answer your question, I have never seen a version of Windows need so few outside drivers! It is fantastic in the respect that virtually any old equipment I've thrown at it, it has easily said "what else have you got?" and everything has worked flawlessly. I've installed sound and Nvidia drivers, that's about it.
Well thanks man, that's a sway to encourage me into grabbing it... But Steam and games... no issues there?
Posted on Reply
#58
AphexDreamer
fullinfusionWell thanks man, that's a sway to encourage me into grabbing it... But Steam and games... no issues there?
I personally use steam and have played plenty of games on Win 8 with not a single issue.
Posted on Reply
#59
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
fullinfusionWell thanks man, that's a sway to encourage me into grabbing it... But Steam and games... no issues there?
Nope, not one! In fact, I've actually had more luck getting old games to play, like you might find on GOG.com, than I have had on my W7 gaming rig. And Steam works perfectly, including the more modern games. And you're welcome! We're all here to help each other, right?
Posted on Reply
#60
remixedcat
If you wanna see your partition info all the time you can download Rainmeter and get one of the many themes for it. I recommend Gnometer.
Posted on Reply
#61
D007
Dos101There is, it's called the Start Screen, where you can put everything you need to access without having to traverse folder after folder in the Start Menu. Cleaner and more efficient. Or Charms Bar -> Search -> type what you're looking for and it instantly appears.
If another person says the start screen is the same as a start button, I might just loose my mind a little. bit.. What a blatant lie..

Regardless, it's nice to see they decided to do what they should of done in the first place..
Listen to the people buying your products and not try to force shit down their throats..
Posted on Reply
#62
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
rtwjunkieWe're all here to help each other, right?
You bet and thanks. :rockout:
Posted on Reply
#63
Wile E
Power User
AphexDreamerClearly people are different, that is not at all what I am getting at. I'm just leaning more towards the idea that it is the individual that is being stubborn rather than the OS that is being difficult. So that which differentiates me from being able to use Windows 8 with that of someone who can't is merely because I'm willing to accept the changes. Which they are easy to accept due to the fact they bring about no reduced productivity whatsoever in my OS experience, which I feel should be more or less the same across every user of Windows 8 ('m no better at scrolling/moving a pointer than the next person...).

Its like having two exact cars, except the driver side is on the left for one and on the right for the other. Any human being who can drive a car will be able to use either car with no ill effect towards driving it (ignoring the standards of countries here). Now one can say they don't like cars with the driver seat on the left and that's fine, but to go out and say that cars with left side driver seats are worse for reasons a, b and c than cars with right side driver seats is absurd.

That is where I step in. To try and show that its the matter of preference/stubbornness that is deterring them, not an actual hindrance in the OS itself. So people can complain all they want about what they don't like. I don't like marshmallows in my coco but I don't think plain coco is better or worse than the counterpart. Far to many people think Windows 8 is worse for being different when in fact it is just fine the way it is. Regardless Windows 8.1 has been developed to accommodate for the marshmallow lovers, perhaps they will reach a larger audience because of it.
Sigh. Your analogy is broken. Take a manual car. One left hand drive, one right, both otherwise identical. I will be better in the left hand drive car absolutely forever, because I am right handed, and that is the gear lever hand in a LHD car. In a right hand drive car, I will be able to adapt to make it usable and acceptable, but I will never be as accurate or as fast at shifting, because my left hand is not as accurate or as fast, and it never will be.

Windows 8 is like a RHD car for me. I can use it acceptably, but it still takes longer for me to complete tasks, despite me knowing how to actually use the OS pretty well, because it does not fit my limitations. It's not BS, it's just plain fact. Having to cover a larger area with my mouse takes longer than having to cover a smaller area. Who knew it takes longer to move a longer distance? :rolleyes: It's not rocket science.

And don't bring up the search box, because that takes me even longer, because then I have to take my eyes off the monitor to look at my keyboard to type.

For people like me (and trust me, there are a lot of us), Start Screen is an inferior method. I tried rearranging it every way possible, made all of my tiles as small as possible, everything, and it just plain took longer to click the things I was after.

Sure, it wasn't very much longer in the grand scheme of things, but it was long enough to be noticeable and irritating. My OS should not irritate me, especially after months of using it.
Posted on Reply
#64
Arjai
I have said it before, and will now say it again. Everytime I see that MetroUI, I feel like I am being punished by a group of idiots for being slightly smarter than a toasted waffle.

Why does one feel that way?

Because I have a right to feel the way I do, anytime I want.

For example, Search for a program, i.e. Alarm Clock. Type it in. No results. Move cursor over to the right and open Apps. Oh, there it is! Then click it, to open. Poof! Desktop appears with program open.

Does anybody else see the lost time in this? That is just one search of programs I need to do, multiple times a day. Why? Because spending time moving Tiles around is time I would rather spend sticking forks in my eyes. Also, because the Search feature is F-ed up with all these steps.

Now, from what I have read, from the talking heads at MoneySoft, the Search feature is to become more useful, by including all the pertinent results.

We'll see if their talk matches the result.

If I had had the money, two months earlier, I could have had this same Ultrabook shipped with Win7. I would, then, not be having this silly debate with any of you or, anyone else.

Overall, it is not crap. Just sometimes covered in it. Particularly, when looking at Metro. Does anyone actually NEED this? My answer, no. Even if I had a touch screen, I don't think I would need it.

So, despite using it, getting used to it, and even mellowing a bit to it. I am still not entirely happy with being forced to use multiple steps for a simple search.

My two cents.
Posted on Reply
#65
AphexDreamer
ArjaiI have said it before, and will now say it again. Everytime I see that MetroUI, I feel like I am being punished by a group of idiots for being slightly smarter than a toasted waffle.

Why does one feel that way?

Because I have a right to feel the way I do, anytime I want.

For example, Search for a program, i.e. Alarm Clock. Type it in. No results. Move cursor over to the right and open Apps. Oh, there it is! Then click it, to open. Poof! Desktop appears with program open.

Does anybody else see the lost time in this? That is just one search of programs I need to do, multiple times a day. Why? Because spending time moving Tiles around is time I would rather spend sticking forks in my eyes. Also, because the Search feature is F-ed up with all these steps.

Now, from what I have read, from the talking heads at MoneySoft, the Search feature is to become more useful, by including all the pertinent results.

We'll see if their talk matches the result.

If I had had the money, two months earlier, I could have had this same Ultrabook shipped with Win7. I would, then, not be having this silly debate with any of you or, anyone else.

Overall, it is not crap. Just sometimes covered in it. Particularly, when looking at Metro. Does anyone actually NEED this? My answer, no. Even if I had a touch screen, I don't think I would need it.

So, despite using it, getting used to it, and even mellowing a bit to it. I am still not entirely happy with being forced to use multiple steps for a simple search.

My two cents.
Either the Win 8 machine you were using had search indexing disabled or the name of the application was not called "Alarm Clock".

Just my 2¢.
Posted on Reply
#66
Arjai
AphexDreamerEither the Win 8 machine you were using had search indexing disabled or the name of the application was not called "Alarm Clock".

Just my 2¢.
Whateva, you are incorrect. Go on loving your Win8 and leave me out of it. I don't love it and you cannot convince me otherwise. So, save someone else. I am not confused or stupid, I am just not happy with not NEEDING Metro and having to use it and it not being streamlined, in any real world way. 'Search indexing disabled,' really?

Did it somehow appear to you, anywhere in my post, that I was asking for help? From you, or anybody else? Another thing, do not insult my intelligence by assuming I don't know the name of the program I am searching for!

Unreal.:wtf:
Posted on Reply
#67
H82LUZ73
Never fail Windows 8 news and the H8ters come out bashing it in full swing,Of the first page of post maybe 3 were actually related to it.I wish you mods would just post this news in the Windows 8 clubhouse so us guys and gals that actually use the OS can share our thoughts on it ,instead of reading Windows 8 sucks posts.
Posted on Reply
#68
Arjai
AphexDreamerLooking forward to 8.1 been tempted to use the preview but I can wait.

The only things I'm really looking forward to is the improved search and the ability to get rid of that ugly metro background and have it use just my desktop wallpaper.

Wonder if I can get an RTM download.
Gee, look. It appears that a certain someone may also have some concerns about the current state of the Search feature?

Maybe you don't know the name of your program or, perhaps indexing is turned off?

:shadedshu
Posted on Reply
#69
Arjai
ThE_MaD_ShOtI think I am going to move my main rig to win 8 or actually 8.1 when it is released. I have my $15 promotion copy of Win8 I have never used yet. Also will move to a ssd or sshd when I do it for the os/programs.
:D
Um, why? Is there some benefit to it that you know and aren't sharing with me?
Posted on Reply
#70
MxPhenom 216
ASIC Engineer
H82LUZ73Never fail Windows 8 news and the H8ters come out bashing it in full swing,Of the first page of post maybe 3 were actually related to it.I wish you mods would just post this news in the Windows 8 clubhouse so us guys and gals that actually use the OS can share our thoughts on it ,instead of reading Windows 8 sucks posts.
that is an excellent idea!

seriously though, I usually don't bother reading windows 8 threads after it has gone past the 1st page mark. It just gets loaded with cry baby complaints.
Posted on Reply
#71
Arjai
MxPhenom 216that is an excellent idea!

seriously though, I usually don't bother reading windows 8 threads after it has gone past the 1st page mark. It just gets loaded with cry baby complaints.
Wow. The disconnect is infectious!

Microsoft disconnects with nearly everything it touches, now they seem to have three new fans disconnecting with their own TPU buddies because they cannot/will not understand that Win8 is not the latest greatest that Microsoft wants you to believe.

Name calling, insults? Really?

Get it together guys, not everybody is gonna love WIN8. That is generally the consensus, too. Yet our collective dislike is relegated to being just a bunch of cry baby complaints?
Posted on Reply
#72
brandonwh64
Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
Windows 8 with start8 has an identical feel of windows 7 just with different color borders around the windows or also if you use the windows 7 theme its the exact same unless you manage to move the mouse to the left side of the screen. Since I have made my way back over to windows 8 I have had zero issues and most of the time I forget its windows 8.
Posted on Reply
#73
MxPhenom 216
ASIC Engineer
ArjaiWow. The disconnect is infectious!

Microsoft disconnects with nearly everything it touches, now they seem to have three new fans disconnecting with their own TPU buddies because they cannot/will not understand that Win8 is not the latest greatest that Microsoft wants you to believe.

Name calling, insults? Really?

Get it together guys, not everybody is gonna love WIN8. That is generally the consensus, too. Yet our collective dislike is relegated to being just a bunch of cry baby complaints?
I knew people would not like Windows 8 from the start. Even long before it made its official debut, with a few leaked screenshots. It was a given, especially in desktop environment.

Now, im not saying everyone has to love Windows 8. That would be ridiculous, I just think that now with the OS ~2 years old, the hate towards it is over done/over played. We get it, you hate Windows 8, cool, suit yourself, but you also cannot act like people shouldn't like windows 8 because the general consensus says it sucks.

Every single Windows 8 thread thus far has been filled with opinionated negative posts about Windows 8. Its close to are 2 year old OS, we are beating a dead horse here.

And so I've said my peace, bye.
Posted on Reply
#74
LiveOrDie
MxPhenom 216Sweet can't wait to upgrade to it! :)
Upgraded to it last night ;)
Posted on Reply
#75
MxPhenom 216
ASIC Engineer
For anyone that doesn't know. In Windows 8, to shut down you have to go to the charms bar, settings then the power button to shut down.

Now with Windows 8.1, you just right click on the "new" start button and hit shutdown.
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