Thursday, October 17th 2013

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

Press Release by

Oct 17th, 2013 08:01 Discuss (229 Comments)

Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced the global availability of Windows 8.1, a feature-rich update to its popular Windows 8 operating system, enabling customers to create experiences that keep pace with their lives - at work, at home or on the go. Beginning Oct. 17, consumers with a Windows 8 device in more than 230 markets and 37 languages can download the free update via the online Windows Store. Windows 8.1 will also be available on new devices and as boxed software starting Oct. 18 at retail locations around the world.

Windows 8.1 evolves the Windows vision for highly personalized computing while showcasing Microsoft's continued commitment to rapid and responsive development. It marks a wave of new, innovative devices coming for consumers and businesses - from the convenience and mobility of tablets and 2-in-1s to the productive experience expected from laptops, all-in-ones and specialized industry devices. Many of these new devices are touch-enabled and will deliver advancements in processing power, battery life and design, across a range of price points.

Windows 8.1 offers a host of increased customization refinements and functional improvements, including the following:

Highly personal. An improved and more customizable Start screen offers variable tile sizes, more background designs and colors so each Windows device looks unique and personal to the individual. In addition, customers can choose how to start their Windows experience - at the Start screen or directly in the familiar Windows desktop - while all their Windows devices stay in sync with their Microsoft account.
More familiar and easy to navigate. As an iconic part of the Windows experience, Windows 8.1 brings back the Start button as a familiar point of navigation. An updated apps view lets users see all their apps at once for easy access and new clicks and cues, as well as a Help + Tips app that gets them up to speed quickly.
Enhanced search. The new Bing Smart Search provides the easiest way to find what users need on the device or on the Web in one beautiful and easy consolidated view that's built for touch. Simply swipe or type from the Start screen, and Smart Search will find it - whether it's a document on a PC, a photo album on SkyDrive, a favorite app, a song from Xbox Music or a website.
Wide range of apps and services from the Start. Windows 8.1 is the most complete out-of-the-box experience. It offers a range of apps and services from the Start screen, allowing customers to quickly and easily do the things they love on Windows, such as catching up with friends and family via Skype, emailing effortlessly in the Mail app, watching movies and TV shows on Xbox Video, finding new recipes with the Bing Food & Drink app, or listening to free streaming music via Xbox Music. Windows 8.1 also comes with the new Internet Explorer 11, which is fast, fluid and perfect for touch. Internet Explorer 11 brings enhanced touch performance, speed boosts, and synchronized browsing history, favorites and settings across all Windows 8.1 devices. Windows 8.1 also provides native support for 3-D printing, meaning it will have plug-and-play support for 3-D printers, enable apps to seamlessly print 3-D jobs and understand 3-D file formats.
The best for multitasking and productivity. Windows 8.1 includes the display and use of up to four apps side by side, flexible windows sizing for each app on the screen, the ability for one app to launch another app, and improved multimonitor support so users can view the desktop or apps from the Windows Store on any or all monitors.
Deep cloud integration with SkyDrive. Windows 8.1 makes it easier than ever to work from anywhere and know that files are always accessible - across devices and locations. With SkyDrive, users can create, edit, save and share files anywhere, anytime, on whatever device they're using.
A beautifully redesigned Windows Store. The new design of the Windows Store improves how great apps are showcased and makes it easier for customers to get the apps they want. Fresh layouts and categories, such as New & Rising, make it easier to stay up to date on the hottest new entries to explore. Personalized recommendations use the Bing advanced recommendation and relevance system to help find new favorites. And with Windows 8.1, apps are updated automatically by default, so users always have the newest and best version of any app, such as Fresh Paint, which now includes watercolor, a new graphite pencil set and a new clean, modern user interface for the latest painting or drawing creations. New and updated apps are also continually being delivered to the Windows Store, including Evernote, Facebook for Windows 8.1, Hulu Plus, Adobe Photoshop Express, eBay, Netflix and NOOK.

Customers can go to http://www.windows.com/shop to learn about the wide variety of new Windows devices available now and throughout the holiday season to find the one that best fits their needs and budgets.

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229 Comments on Microsoft Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

#126

Kursah

Just updated to 8.1 on lappy and main rig. So far so good! I still think I prefer cheating with Classic Start...but I do like the Win+x menu being available at a right click now. Pretty convenient so I will try without classic for a bit. Gonna go to Ubuntu 13.10 for my second OS this weekend as well!

:toast:

#127

The Von Matrices

KursahI do like the Win+x menu being available at a right click now.

That functionality was always available in Windows 8. You would just move the mouse into the lower left corner until the start box came up and then right click.

#128

Frizz

took around half an hour or so to setup, it basically just installed itself on top and all my drivers are still working fine and games etc. AFAIK sound cards tend to have really specific drivers so it's best to check whether it will be compatible with the upgrade first. Same with TV tuners and such.

#129

Agility

Expected issues will occur to some users upgrading from such a major update. That's the reason why I'm going to sit back and wait for an official Win 8.1 ISO file. I've even had issues updating windows XP from SP1 to SP2, causing multiple driver issues and crashes. Ever since never again am i installing big updates, but only by reformatting and installing the OS that comes with the updates.

#130

tetrapak

Fresh install win 8.1 pro from msdann. So far so good. I installed startisback and returned "classic" win start button. Much more fluid than win 7 in every aspect and its using less memory than win7. I like new task manager aswll. Yeah shi*** metro ui is still there but if you pay 3 bucks for 2 pc licenses in startisback, you will get better win 7 in every aspect ;)

#131

X800

I cant even dowload it by WindowsSetupBox it says that i have wrong key ?

#132

ShiBDiB

Redownloaded as it wouldn't install the first time because I made a regedit to change the location of my program files folder to a new drive.. and it apparently can't install like that?

#133

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!

ShiBDiBDolby, permissions probably changed with the update and their installer doesn't adjust for it.

It messed permissions up all over the place. I couldn't even create folders on the C:\ or download anything from the internet.. I am gonna work on getting a copy of 8.1 via ISO and do a clean install.

#134

TheMailMan78

Big Member

brandonwh64It messed permissions up all over the place. I couldn't even create folders on the C:\ or download anything from the internet.. I am gonna work on getting a copy of 8.1 via ISO and do a clean install.

Let me know. I would like to score a good ISO myself. Everything upgraded fine for me. Only issue is DICE hasn't updated the BF3 plugin for IE 11 yet so I cannot play BF3. Only strange issue I found was some Security Audit Fails in the event viewer having to do with an open key. I'm still looking into that. I might "downgrade" back to 8.0 until BF4 comes out anyway. That will give them a week or so to iron out some bugs.

Over all Windows 8.1 is damn nice IMO.

#135

tacosRcool

So far I tried to update my desktop twice and each time it failed to update. Go figure.

#136

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!

I found a way to get the ISO! Found this on the digital rivers forums.

Windows 8.1 upgrade installer/ISO

what this will do is download the files and it will ask you if you want to install now or make an ISO for later. I am currently doing it in a VM with win 8 pro x64 already installed.

Upgrading Windows with only a product key
If you bought a Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 product key, you can download and install Windows from this page. You'll have the option of installing Windows now, later or using media with an ISO file.

Before you begin:

Make sure that you're on the PC you want to upgrade. If you're updating to Windows 8.1, this PC must be running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Preview. If you already have the latest version of Windows 8 installed on your PC, you can update to Windows 8.1 in the Windows Store for free.

If you're upgrading to Windows 8, this PC must be running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview or Windows Developer Preview.

Windows Setup checks that your PC meets all system requirements before it installs Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.

Have your product key handy. You can find it in your online order info, in the confirmation email for your purchase or on the packaging. The product key will look something like this:
XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX.

Make a backup of everything you want to keep. Save it somewhere where you can get to it later, like an external drive or a DVD.

Warning
Warning

Don't format your hard drive before installing Windows. Your current version of Windows must be running when you begin installing Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.

windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

#137

CheezusCrust

Perhaps this has already been asked before, but does the updating from 8 to 8.1 wipe your programs?

#138

TheMailMan78

Big Member

brandonwh64I found a way to get the ISO! Found this on the digital rivers forums.

Windows 8.1 upgrade installer/ISO

what this will do is download the files and it will ask you if you want to install now or make an ISO for later. I am currently doing it in a VM with win 8 pro x64 already installed.

windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Crap that means Ill have to downgrade to windows 7 to run this to get the 8.1 ISO. So much fail sauce!

#139

rtwjunkie

PC Gaming Enthusiast

CheezusCrustPerhaps this has already been asked before, but does the updating from 8 to 8.1 wipe your programs?

Most of what I've read in this thread seems to show that most people's programs stayed in place like they were. I will be sitting back and watching for awhile before upgrading my Win 8 rig, although I will download the ISO off digital river in the meantime.

EDIT: Nope, Digital River ISO is out the window according to MailMan.

#140

TheMailMan78

Big Member

rtwjunkieMost of what I've read in this thread seems to show that most people's programs stayed in place like they were. I will be sitting back and watching for awhile before upgrading my Win 8 rig, although I will download the ISO off digital river in the meantime.

Yup you keep all your programs. Other than what I stated before it seems very stable and upgraded fine.

#141

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!

TheMailMan78Crap that means Ill have to downgrade to windows 7 to run this to get the 8.1 ISO. So much fail sauce!

You shouldnt have to, I am running regular 8 to do it

#142

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

brandonwh64I found a way to get the ISO! Found this on the digital rivers forums.

Windows 8.1 upgrade installer/ISO

what this will do is download the files and it will ask you if you want to install now or make an ISO for later. I am currently doing it in a VM with win 8 pro x64 already installed.

windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

I thought you weren't supposed to be able to update from 7 to 8.1?

EDIT: Wait that was retail boxes.

#143

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate

RavenasMicrosoft isn't going to abandon the metro interface. That is ridiculous to even think. At this point they have taken it to their OEM PCs, their in house tablet, their phone licensees, and the Xbox. It isn't going anywhere, anytime. In fact, there is evidence to support Microsoft is investing their whole company in to the idea of one interface across all of their products.

You will be sticking with Linux or Mac if you don't adapt.

incorrect. microsoft is developing a business friendly interface for Windows 9.

#144

ensabrenoir

ooooopppppssss

.....before i upgraded accidently refreshed windows 8.....so it uninstalled like 50 programs.....:cry: so i nuked everything did a clean install of 8 and all updates and then installed 8.1. No issues. Now im reinstalling all my programs and making an disk image....with a better software, Being hardcore(slang for idiot) i dont run restore points. Got 2 samsung 840s 250g in raid 0 and 3 other ssds for different sets of programs and 2tb of storage.....gotta post that rig in case mod......

#145

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!

I will be sharing out ISO's for windows 8.1 pro x86/x64 in about 15 minutes.... GET READY

Here we go!

First FTP server 5 user limit

ftp://205.144.212.5:21/Windows%208.1/

If it asks for a user and password then the user is "tpuuser" with no password

Second FTP server with no limit

ftp://205.144.212.5:22/

User: tpuuser
Pass: tpu

#146

Drmark

OctaveanThat isn't a very accurate or complete statement. Its actually a bit more complicated then simply saying you'll have to reinstall your software as noted here:

windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial

and here:

windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/update-from-preview

Basically it depends on what you're updating from. For example:

Near as I can tell, Windows Store apps AKA Metro apps aren't very popular and as such few people will likely notice or care if the default Metro apps are changed or if a free Metro demo of Angry Birds is no longer there.

Those who are upgrading from 8.1 Preview to Windows 8.1 final probably already knew what they were getting into or at the very least should have.

Not trying to be a smart ass, but I didn't know there were any apps in this? I have been ignoring everything in it but what I installed. Is there anything in it worth anything?

#147

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!

First ISO test and it works like a charm for a clean full install!!!

#148

xvi

+1 for everything fine after update. No issues. 50.1GB used before, 45.9GB used after 8.1 upgrade, extra 6.84GB from removing Windows.old. ~11GB freed up by installing 8.1.

#149

Ahhzz

brandonwh64I will be sharing out ISO's for windows 8.1 pro x86/x64 in about 15 minutes.... GET READY

Here we go!

ftp://205.144.212.5/Windows%208.1/

If it asks for a user and password then the user is "tpuuser" with no password

Not to stress, Brandon, and thanks for the assist, but it doesn't seem to want to let me login...

#150

Ravenas

Easy Rhinoincorrect. microsoft is developing a business friendly interface for Windows 9.

Microsoft hasn't given any information in regards to metro interfaces changes or desktop changes for Windows 9. Your argument is solely based on suiting your needs and what you want to see.

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Microsoft Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

229 Comments on Microsoft Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

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