Thursday, October 17th 2013

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

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

#151
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
Prima.VeraSo why isn't this called simply Win 8 SP1??
Because Microsoft is being silly. Windows 8.1 is Windows NT 6.3, ya know.
Posted on Reply
#152
Unregistered
AhhzzNot to stress, Brandon, and thanks for the assist, but it doesn't seem to want to let me login...
Tried it too, wont log in.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#153
xvi
tiggerTried it too, wont log in.
Tried three, got message saying "The free version only allows 5 users logged in at a time". I suspect that's the issue.
Posted on Reply
#154
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
RavenasMicrosoft 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.
actually, i know several people who work in development at microsoft and it is not a big secret in the IT community that windows 9 will be business friendly...
Posted on Reply
#155
brandonwh64
Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
Sorry guys, Just realized I have the personal edition of xlight which only allows 5 users to be connected at one time. If anyone knows of a easy free ftp server that allows more users at a time I will set one up under that.

*edit*

FIXED

Ok I got the second FTP up and going! I used Quick N Easy FTp server lite and it has a max connections of 50 set.
Posted on Reply
#156
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
Easy Rhinoactually, i know several people who work in development at microsoft and it is not a big secret in the IT community that windows 9 will be business friendly...
And what exactly do you mean with business friendly? Are you saying businneses (?) will use tablets more, or are you saying they will ship Office with every Windows copy or what? Also Windows Everywhere isn't going anywhere, unless the next CEO does a proper ninja backflip and burns every single thing MS has done the past 3 years or so to the ground. Which probably will not happen.

Also, you do not know people working at MS. You'd sooner kill yourself. :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#157
xvi
brandonwh64Sorry guys, Just realized I have the personal edition of xlight which only allows 5 users to be connected at one time. If anyone knows of a easy free ftp server that allows more users at a time I will set one up under that.
Maybe give this one a try? Make sure to go under general settings and change max connections.

Edit: It's buggier than I remember. FileZilla maybe?
Posted on Reply
#158
Ahhzz
brandonwh64Sorry guys, Just realized I have the personal edition of xlight which only allows 5 users to be connected at one time. If anyone knows of a easy free ftp server that allows more users at a time I will set one up under that.
No worries, thanks for the support :)
Posted on Reply
#159
brandonwh64
Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
xviMaybe give this one a try? Make sure to go under general settings and change max connections.

Edit: It's buggier than I remember. FileZilla maybe?
Hell yea man! I have a secondary FTP server up with details below!!

ftp://205.144.212.5:22/

User: tpuuser
Pass: tpu

*EDIT*

Fixed! Ok I got the second FTP up and going! I used Quick N Easy FTp server lite and it has a max connections of 50 set.
Posted on Reply
#160
xvi
brandonwh64Ok having issues. It will allow users to connect to the folder but when you click to download it craps out
Might have to try FileZilla Server. Haven't played with it as much since I prefer lightweight servers (in this case, excessively lightweight). FileZilla should be rather stable.
Posted on Reply
#161
TheoneandonlyMrK
has the windows experience index test been removed from 8.1 its not available for use in the system section of control panel anymore here??
Posted on Reply
#162
xvi
theoneandonlymrkhas the windows experience index test been removed from 8.1 its not available for use in the system section of control panel anymore here??
Had to go check, but it is indeed gone. How am I going to know which apps from the Windows Store my computer can handle?!
Posted on Reply
#167
Ravenas
Easy Rhinohow is this at all relevant? it is an article about how the surface is better for business than the ipad... ok....
Surface comes with Windows 8. You said Windows 8 isn't good for business. Thus, you are now agreeing that it is obvious that Surface is good for business, and that logically means you believe Windows 8 is as well.

Besides that read the whole article before you get locked in a anti Windows 8 rant again.
Posted on Reply
#168
GSG-9
RavenasSurface comes with Windows 8. You said Windows 8 isn't good for business. Thus, you are now agreeing that it is obvious that Surface is good for business, and that logically means you believe Windows 8 is as well.

Besides that read the whole article before you get locked in a anti Windows 8 rant again.
This conversation is ridiculous. The world used to do business on palm pilots. Just because they were better than using a pager does NOT mean they were 'good for business'.

Windows 8 was targeting/designed for non business use, it is targeting the market that has been slipping to OSX/iOS devices. Rhino is claiming Windows 9 is going to target business users.
Posted on Reply
#169
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
RavenasSurface comes with Windows 8. You said Windows 8 isn't good for business. Thus, you are now agreeing that it is obvious that Surface is good for business, and that logically means you believe Windows 8 is as well.

Besides that read the whole article before you get locked in a anti Windows 8 rant again.
dude, you gotta take your meds or we won't be able to discuss this.

i am not anti-windows 8. it is a better OS than windows 7. i am anti-metro. i do not like it for personal computing and i do not like it at work. the metro UI is way too big of a change from windows 7 and it is scaring away businesses from buying it. it would require training users on how to find the programs they most commonly use to do work. that costs money.

now, the article you posted only shows that the metro ui is better for business when is it on a tablet than OSX is for ipad. that doesn't mean metro is not a business friendly UI for desktop workers...
Posted on Reply
#170
Ravenas
GSG-9Windows 8 was targeting/designed for non business use, it is targeting the market that has been slipping to OSX/iOS devices. Rhino is claiming Windows 9 is going to target business users.
How is it a non-business friendly OS?
Easy Rhinodude, you gotta take your meds or we won't be able to discuss this.

i am not anti-windows 8. it is a better OS than windows 7. i am anti-metro. i do not like it for personal computing and i do not like it at work. the metro UI is way too big of a change from windows 7 and it is scaring away businesses from buying it. it would require training users on how to find the programs they most commonly use to do work. that costs money.

now, the article you posted only shows that the metro ui is better for business when is it on a tablet than OSX is for ipad. that doesn't mean metro is not a business friendly UI for desktop workers...
Oh businesses have to spend money to train their workers? I can't remember the last time that happened. We better claim that Windows 8 is a failure now. Everyone run!!! Windows 8 is coming!!!
Posted on Reply
#171
FX-GMC
Easy Rhinodude, you gotta take your meds or we won't be able to discuss this.

i am not anti-windows 8. it is a better OS than windows 7. i am anti-metro. i do not like it for personal computing and i do not like it at work. the metro UI is way too big of a change from windows 7 and it is scaring away businesses from buying it. it would require training users on how to find the programs they most commonly use to do work. that costs money.

now, the article you posted only shows that the metro ui is better for business when is it on a tablet than OSX is for ipad. that doesn't mean metro is not a business friendly UI for desktop workers...
If they can figure it out on a tablet, they should be able to figure it out on a PC. Also, what does OS X have to do with any of it?
Posted on Reply
#172
GSG-9
RavenasHow is it a non-business friendly OS?
Rhino went over that

Business has overhead, security policies to build, tech support to run them, and every employee to onboard.
The cost of change is staggering.

It is not a flaw in Windows 8, it is a reality of corporate culture.
Posted on Reply
#173
Ravenas
GSG-9Rhino went over that

Business has overhead, security policies to build, tech support to run them, and every employee to onboard.
The cost of change is staggering.

It is not a flaw in Windows 8, it is a reality of corporate culture.
You better stay off Delta flights then, they just ordered 11,000 Surface tablets equipped with Windows 8... The cost of change is going to be staggering for Delta... Your arguments are so ridiculous.
Posted on Reply
#174
FX-GMC
RavenasYou better stay off Delta flights then, they just ordered 11,000 Surface tablets equipped with Windows 8... The cost of change is going to be staggering for Delta... Your arguments are so ridiculous.
His arguments are valid. It's naive to think that every business will have the same experience with adding Windows 8 to their environment.
Posted on Reply
#175
Ravenas
FX-GMCHis arguments are valid. It's naive to think that every business will have the same experience with adding Windows 8 to their environment.
Valid to the extent of a business's upgrade cycle.
Posted on Reply
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