Windows 8.1 is Microsoft’s upgrade for Windows 8 which was released last October to less than stellar reviews. The update is free via the Windows Store to all current Windows 8 users. This update fixes a lot of what was wrong with the first version, and brings back the beloved Start button, which should make the modern UI less of a shock to those who are moving from Windows 7.
A stand-alone retail version is also available to purchase. The prices are $119 for 8.1 Basic, $199 for 8.1 Pro. As with Windows 8, if you want the Windows Media Center pack you’ll need to shell out an additional $9.99 and you’ll need to be running the Pro version. To makes things a bit more confusing, if you purchase the Basic version of 8.1 and want to upgrade to the Pro version, it will cost $99.
Microsoft is moving quickly on its releases of the new OS, and that means you can expect shorter times for support of the lifecycle. Windows 8 users will have two years of support only.
According to a post on the Windows Support site:
Windows 8 customers will have two years to move to Windows 8.1 after the General Availability of the Windows 8.1 update to continue to remain supported under the Windows 8 life-cycle.
Getting Started with Windows 8.1
I’ve been using the final version of Windows 8.1 for several weeks already and have a few groovy articles you can check out for getting started with the update:
- Skip the Modern Start Screen and Boot Straight to the Desktop
- How to Shutdown from the Start Button
- Keep the Modern UI Out of Your Way on a Traditional Desktop Computer
- Uninstall Multiple Apps at Once
- How to Manage Windows Update in the New Windows
- Create a Photo Slideshow on Lock Screen
- Bring Back Libraries in File Explorer
- Sync IE 11 Tabs Across Multiple 8.1 Devices
- How to Create a System Image
Here’s a look at one of the new features in Windows 8.1 called Bing Smart Search:
Are you updating your Windows box to 8.1 today or sometime soon? Leave us a comment and tell us about it.
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KONRAD POTH
I have Win 8 and disliked it enough that I setup my desktop computer with Stardock’s Fences which beautifully organizes all my necessary shortcut icons on my desktop. Now that everything is running just the way it should – for me – I’m not going to tempt the dark computer demigods with an upgrade to 8.1.
But your info is great for those who haven’t yet reached the state of computational equanimity. This is a site I read every day without fail.
Joe Plati
I spent a good part of this past weekend trying to update my Windows 8.0 Lenovo machine to Windows 8.1, only to see my efforts repeatedly fail. I spent a considerable amount of time researching the error and in so doing discovered a number of individuals having the same problem.
Some eventually succeeded in their upgrade efforts while many were still floundering like me (at least as of last night). I tried all of the suggestions put forth by those individuals who eventually succeeded but none of them worked, at least not for me.
An upgrade should not be this difficult…What Gives????
Brian Burgess
Agreed. While several people had the upgrade go on without a hitch — Windows 8 to 8.1
But I’ve read several issues with going from Windows 8.1 Preview to Win8.1 RTM
Also, the Update for RT so far as been a horrible experience. The first time I tried it last week, my system was bricked. I did a complete rebuild of it, and sitting on Windows RT on my Surface. Over the weekend, Microsoft removed the upgrade from the Store because so many people were having similar issues.
They released a “fix” of sorts, but it’s detailed a detailed process with command line coding.
Finally, upgrading via a flash drive using your Windows 8 key — which should work, according to Microsoft’s own instructions on its site…lots of problems there too.
Hopefully everything will get fixed and updated, but yes the bottom line is this upgrade has too many problems and no, it shouldn’t be difficult.
buckofad
I’m running win 8 on my desktop box. Can I update to 8.1 without loosing my desktop programs?