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Microsoft Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

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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.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
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So if you have a Windows 8 OEM its just an update? Or a complete install
 
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I am waiting for an ISO file image of a complete Windows 8.1 as updating from such a big file (3.1GB mind you) is sure to cause some issues.
 
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So why isn't this called simply Win 8 SP1??
 
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Simply because the updates are huge as there's more then 1 add-ons (Such as the start button .etc) i guess.
 
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Downloading it right now from the Windows Store (not sure why they didn't provide it via Windows Update). Windows 8.1 with Media Center is a 3.42 GB download.
 
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So if you have a Windows 8 OEM its just an update? Or a complete install

Technically an update, altho it can be a fresh install if desired.
 
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So why isn't this called simply Win 8 SP1??

They added StartButton for normal desktop that waves you to metro one, they added ability to have 2 more tiles in metro ui(at the same screen !!!!) and ofcourse last but not least deeper cloud integration. Its worth way more than 3 Gb. Dat MS, doing wonders since 1985(1983 infact). :rockout:
 

brandonwh64

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I cannot find the download for it. everytime I click on those links it ask me to upgrade to windows 8.1 then tells me its coming soon and that I can download windows 8 right away.....

 
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hmm, both links take me to windows metro store..


Im from EU, apparently its available since 1pm. Maybe its not your time yet?
 

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The changes in 8.1 are a step in the right direction but not enough to make businesses pay for windows 8 to "upgrade" from 7. We still need a proper desktop!
 
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The big news imo is that there now is a classic "retail" package. Windows 8.1 is €108 here, which is about €8 more than the Windows 8 OEM version. 8.1 Pro OEM is slightly cheaper than the standard Pro OEM. For some reason I had it in my mind 8.1 Pro Retail would be like $150, but I must have dreamed that.

EDIT: The bad news is that you can't install 8.1 as an upgrade to 7, you have to do a clean install. Which isn't bad as such, but might be annoying for some.
 
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Great job MS! And finally I am actually using to the max my 50 Mbps connexion :)
 

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Same with me here, I guess because I'm still using Windows 7 (I noticed that TheHunter is already using Windows 8).

Yea I just conformed that you MUST be on windows 8 already to download it. I remoted into my PC at home and it went straight to the metro download.
 
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A WARNING DURING INSTALLATION: you will have to reinstall your software!!!
 
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Same with me here, I guess because I'm still using Windows 7 (I noticed that TheHunter is already using Windows 8).

Yeah that upgrade is only for Windows 8 users, windows 7 users will have to buy 8.1.
 
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What a fucking disaster, it took over 1 hour to install this update, several drivers are broken (Asus Xonar U7, ASMedia USB3 controller, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were a pain in the ass), a lot of undocumented idiotic changes, REALLY ANNOYING MICROSOFT.
 

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What a fucking disaster, it took over 1 hour to install this update, several drivers are broken (Asus Xonar U7, ASMedia USB3 controller, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were a pain in the ass), a lot of undocumented idiotic changes, REALLY ANNOYING MICROSOFT.

that's what you get for installing software the day it is released. :slap:
 
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that's what you get for installing software the day it is released. :slap:

Well sorry for expecting Microsoft to not release a shitty update.
 
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