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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Homeles - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Oh, but what about their extensive Windows 8 coverage prior to its launch?Yep, AnandTech is *real* biased.
Stop bitching already.
caleblloyd - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
This is a pipeline article for a reason. It takes a while to compile a useful review with scientific data.michal1980 - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
The preview has been out for how long?Furthermore, we all know that Anand is turning into an apple ifanbozi. Its not even masked anymore. it the asus transformer review " I haven't had much time to spend getting into 8.1 but it's largely an improvement over Windows 8."
If this was an iphone os 7.0.0.0.0.000000000000001 update we'd get ten pages of changes.
'OMG the shading is now 2 degrees lighter then before, allowing greater visibility of the background while things zoom in. This is how awesome apple is ... bla bla bla." A major windows update...
And all we get from anand is...... nothing.
Still waiting for the site name to change to apple tech. This used to be my go to tech site, but if the focus is going to be so heavy on Apple, and Windows is going to be treated as some bastard child OS. Then I'm going to start to move on.
SpartanJet - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
I agree here as well. The situation has left me visiting Anadtech less and less as they seem to focus more on apple than Microsoft. You know the last minor osx release got about a 20 page write up and this huge update to the most widely used family of OS's gets 2 paragraphs.UltraTech79 - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
What does Apple have to do with it? What the hell is wrong with people like you? Get your head out of your ass.tinaaa - Monday, October 21, 2013 - link
helo every bodyB3an - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Already updated. Heres how the process went for me, i was already on 8:Went to the Win 8 Store, downloaded the update and restarted PC when asked.
Installation began, took about 15 mins, then afterwards it takes you through a few simple setup screens and you're done.
The processes was completely flawless - It kept all my PC settings, personalisation, app user data, files, drivers, desktops programs and Metro apps.
hughlle - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
So pretty much exactly as you would expect it to go, this being an update, and not a new OS installation. It's just win 8 service pack 1, but win 8 is doing so badly that they've called it 8.1 instead, in my view, to fool people into thinking it's a different product.fabiogallo - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
That was not my experience.Instead I got:
Can't update to Windows 8.1
Sorry, it looks like this PC can't run Windows 8.1. This might be because the Users or Program Files folder is being redirected to another partition.
[Close]
I was happily running Windows 8 Pro with my document folder on my secondary drive (3TB) while the system is on a 240GB SSD. Bummer!
extide - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Well, move it back temporarily, and then do the upgrade and then move it off again.