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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BMNify - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Windows 8.1 is a pretty good update from 8.0, it is ignorant to treat it as a service pack specially from a site like Anandtech. Arstechnica has not treated it as a service pack and actually used and reviewed the OS objectively:http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013...
BMNify - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
They have posted two more informative articles on 8.1, good read for anyone interested:http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013...
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013...
Hrel - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Tiles 8.1*Hrel - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Tiles 8.1*jimbo2779 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
LOLOLOLOLOLIs that what you were wanting? Well I hate to tell you this but I was being insincere just like your parents when they say they love you.
robbertbobbertson - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Using Windows 8 on a traditional desktop is like going to a restaurant and ordering a rare steak, only to receive a bocca burger because the cook decided to be a vegetarian. When you complain you are ignored and charged for it anyway, and on your way out an annoying young woman tries to lecture you how vegetarianism is better for you, and you should really just stop eating meat.ThomasS31 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
What a cr@p way of update this is??? Seriously?If I want a clean windows 8.1 and I have Windows 7 and upgrade Window 8 I have to:
Install Windows 7.
Update
Upgrade to Windows 8
Update
Upgrade to Window 8.1 in Windows Store
???
What?
Whaaaaat????
Who ever decided this at Microsoft... he is an idiot.
Doh! - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
If you already have the retail key for windows 8, just get an iso of windows 8.1 rtm, install/activate it, and update the GA roll-up updates. Done.ThomasS31 - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Not working with 8 keys... only 8.1 (the install part at least).And that is not offficial anyway to any "normal" user.
ThomasS31 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
And seriously download 3.5G on each PC everytime I upgrade? Nonsense... hope they wake up from their silly dream and create a downloadabe file or iso very very quickly and soon.