Windows 8.1 Update Now Available
by Ryan Smith on October 17, 2013 9:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Software
- Operating Systems
- Windows
- Microsoft
- Windows 8.1
October 17th is here, and as previously announced by Microsoft Windows 8.1 is now shipping.
Microsoft’s service pack/update for Windows 8 is being distributed through the Windows 8 Store. Microsoft is apparently doing a staggered rollout, so it’s not visible from every copy of Windows 8 right away, but going through a link to the update from Microsoft’s website will bring up the update regardless of whether it’s visible or not. Meanwhile for users on Windows 7 Microsoft will eventually be selling an updated, retail version of the Windows 8.1 package, though that’s not available quite yet.
As a reminder, Windows 8.1 brings with it a number of the changes, including several changes to the Metro/Modern layer such as adjustments to tile management and window snapping, however there are some low level changes that techies will also be interested in. Among other things, Windows 8.1 will ship with support for Intel’s Connected Standby technology for Haswell, Direct3D 11.2, and a revised DPI scaling mechanism that is better suited for driving the high DPI displays that are coming down the pipeline for both Ultrabooks and desktops.
The size of the update will vary depending on the platform, but for Windows 8 Pro we're seeing 3.42GB, so it goes without saying that this will not be a light download.
Source: Microsoft
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enkov - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
MS says:If you are running Windows 8 Enterprise, you will need to check with the source that provided you with the OS—Microsoft Volume Licensing, MSDN, TechNet, or whatever—to obtain Windows 8.1.
Some editions of Windows 8 don’t support the free update to Windows 8.1. These include:
• Windows 8 Enterprise
No automatic nor free update for the Enterprise? What a kind of an Idiots works there?
And, of course, our legal VLK keys for 8 Enterprise don't work for a 8.1 Setup Box loader - Invalid key. I am not ever surprised nor disappointed but this is a shit.
And of course, they still pretend that 8 Enterprise have a free update to 8.1 via Store:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/...
rfry200 - Thursday, November 7, 2013 - link
Just installed 8.1Yep they brought back the button and they called it START they do have some useful things in it but no program menu.... I don't have a tablet or a touch screen. Thank you to the 3rd party venders to give us the program menu.
Almost forced to use a hotmail account to use windows. Before upgrading to 8.1 from 8 I was using a local account. During the install process they make it very very difficult to continue to use the same local account. I lost the game you have to go through add a new account to continue to use the old account. If Microsoft is going to change how the rules work with user accounts during service packs, with no advanced warning, I will have to think 4 times before committing. Usually by the 3rd time I give up and do something else. Microsoft has definitely alienated me as a user. Service pack 8.2 ... forget it if 8.1 works. Windows 9 only only only only if I have to and only if it is free.
yangjia - Friday, November 29, 2013 - link
Dear Friend:Are you looking for a way to activate windows8.1, there are a lot activation code can be used for your reference. website: http://www.windows8key-sale.com/
review_again - Sunday, January 5, 2014 - link
Upgraded for windows 8 to 8.1 about 2 months ago. It's a great upgrade and addresses the objections to the start menu. Makes Windows much more usable. I actually like 8.1 ..... it's fast, easy and very stable.peter589 - Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - link
The key will invalid sooner or latter, that’s very upset. So just searching ^^^windows 8 key sale^^ from google, to find out the activation code and the download link~~