Wednesday, September 18th 2013

Microsoft Reveals Windows 8.1 Pricing, Free for Existing Windows 8 Users

Microsoft revealed pricing of its next major addition to the Windows franchise, Windows 8.1. Licenses to the operating system will sell at US $120 for the standard edition, and $200 for Windows 8.1 Pro. The key purchased at those prices can be used both for clean-installations, and to upgrade from Windows Vista or Windows 7, keeping your files, programs, and settings. Existing Windows 8 users get corresponding variants of Windows 8.1 for free, through Store.

A Windows Upgrade Assistant app will be issued to Windows 8 users, which verifies activation, downloads Windows 8.1 resources, and installs the operating system over the existing installation, letting you keep your stuff. Upgrading to Windows 8.1 for Windows 8 users, would be a no-brainer, since you get this awesome Start button on the taskbar which...spawns the "Metro" Start screen. PC enthusiasts get a longer DirectX rope, with the lure for DirectX 11.2, and its shared-resources (mega-textures) feature. People will be able to switch from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Pro by shelling out $99 on the Pro Pack, which also adds Media Center. Windows 8.1 Pro users can get that for an extra $10. Windows 8.1 is expected to launch on October 17, 2013.
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61 Comments on Microsoft Reveals Windows 8.1 Pricing, Free for Existing Windows 8 Users

#51
phanbuey
FrickWe're talking the desktop in Windows, not desktop computers.
Ah I see now I misread.

Ultimately I think that the reasoning behind microsoft killing the windows desktop is because it thinks that the desktop/workstation is going away - and that is something that they will come back to once the new leadership is in. At least I hope.
Posted on Reply
#52
AphexDreamer
CrAsHnBuRnXpThat's not the Aero I know and love. I want my title bars on my windows to be glass and see through. I dotn feel like finding it atm but the coding that allows that is not inside the Windows 8 shell like it is with 7 and Vista.

Edit: They actually mention it in that same article you linked.
Aero glass isn't there yea, but 8 still has aero effects. Besides pretty sure there is a way to enable Aero glass if you really can't live without it.
Posted on Reply
#53
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
AphexDreamerAero glass isn't there yea, but 8 still has aero effects. Besides pretty sure there is a way to enable Aero glass if you really can't live without it.
Aero is still there, yes, but it is the "Basic" version of Aero. It is really no better than the Aero you got with Windows 7 Start.

A lot of people use the term Aero and Aero Glass synchronously.

And you can enable the see through effect, but all it does it turn the titlebar complete see through, which is actually worse than not being see through at all.
Posted on Reply
#55
pociej
The key purchased at those prices can be used both for clean-installations, and to upgrade from Windows Vista or Windows 7,
So it's mean it's like old good box licence?
Posted on Reply
#56
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
pociejSo it's mean it's like old good box licence?
Retail licenses as they are called.
Posted on Reply
#57
pociej
So it wouldn't be a problem to install it on differents components? (1 PC at time ofc)
Asking because Windows 7, box version, letting me install it without problems after change in hardware.

Thanks for answer.
Posted on Reply
#58
TheoneandonlyMrK
RCoonUh....

"Microsoft Reveals Windows 8.1 Pricing, Free for Existing Windows 8 Users"
Trying to strong arm those of us still using 7 to install 8 before oct is a bit shit ,i will do it but believe me you will all suffer the moans if its still shit especially Mm because he rates it :)
Posted on Reply
#59
TheMailMan78
Big Member
phanbueyAh I see now I misread.

Ultimately I think that the reasoning behind microsoft killing the windows desktop is because it thinks that the desktop/workstation is going away - and that is something that they will come back to once the new leadership is in. At least I hope.
You are delusional if you think desktop computers are not dying.
Posted on Reply
#60
TheoneandonlyMrK
TheMailMan78You are delusional if you think desktop computers are not dying.
many disagree MM including me, to me its like telly's once there is one in any room that needs it we all stopped buying, i mean the core 2 duo i bought years ago still web surfs for mum etc so less new pc's are getting sold in the developed world atm but at some point i expect an explosion of performance to put home pcs back into a more desirable place and i think software still needs to catch up with the hardware specs were using.
anyway ,not that many want to do anything meaning full on a palm sized device as a big screen makes it easier as does a proper keyboard, maybe when were all talking to pcs to control them, but not yet imho:)
Posted on Reply
#61
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
pociejSo it wouldn't be a problem to install it on differents components? (1 PC at time ofc)
Asking because Windows 7, box version, letting me install it without problems after change in hardware.

Thanks for answer.
That has been the purpose of the retail version for ages. That is how it works.
Posted on Reply
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