AfterDawn: Tech news

Windows 8.1 now available across the globe

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Oct 2013 2:43 User comments (8)

Windows 8.1 now available across the globe

Microsoft has gleefully reminded consumers that its Windows 8.1 operating system is now available across the globe as a digital download and upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.
Starting tomorrow, the OS will be available as a packaged DVD product and on new computers, adds the software giant.

As part of the launch, the customer is also giving away $10 promotional Windows Store gift cards to 810 people everyday that Tweet their new Start screen along with the hashtag #Mystart on Twitter.

Windows 8.1 brings a lot of features that should improve the experience of Windows 8 including improved multitasking, the return of the Start button (in a basic respect), the introduction of a better universal search, improved native Windows 8 apps and the ability to make the desktop your default when you open the computer rather than the Live Tile page.



Get the update here: Windows.com

Tags: Windows 8.1
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8 user comments

117.10.2013 15:28

How unfortunate!

217.10.2013 17:48

Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
How unfortunate!
Ugh!.....yet another nonsense nay-sayer.

What's the problem NOW?

317.10.2013 18:10

"Microsoft has gleefully reminded consumers that its Windows 8.1 operating system is now available across the globe....."

And, I gleefully say: "Stick it up...."

418.10.2013 13:24

Originally posted by hearme0:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
How unfortunate!
Ugh!.....yet another nonsense nay-sayer.

What's the problem NOW?
Dress up a pig in new clothes, still a pig.

Win 8 sucks, and i'm not the only one that feels that way look at the poor sales, and many many companies reporting they will stay on Win7 and 2008 R2. One review i read quoted a person, at least for the server software, "I don't care how the client operating system works, but we need a system that works without some inconvenient user interface/." I personally work more on the client i.e. win 7 enterprise and not on the server all day to do my development, but i too want a user interface that doesn't get in the way.

518.10.2013 16:18

I updated now I have a secureboot error and my BIOS locks me out of changing the secure boot settings to fix it. Great.

619.10.2013 00:16

I said on another site, I always use the every other year version of windows. I'm still right in my opinion. Lol.

You make something new, and guess what? No one likes it and it has problems. Buy the next year version, it's the same thing, only polished up to be more user friendly.

I use Linux about 99.99% of the time, so no real complaints here other then when I'm at work. :P

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2013 @ 12:18

719.10.2013 02:40

I installed win8 after win7 was getting slower and slower with general use (as Windows does), and I hated it at first, but I gave it another chance a few weeks later and I have to be honest I'm now a fan, it runs really well, ok the tile screen thing sux but when u switch to desktop mode you're back to familiar territory, and for the first time in years (or ever) I have a Windows os that actually boots up very fast, and shuts down in a few seconds (more so after all the updates installed).
So I say give it a chance, you need to mess with it for a good couple of hours to find your way round, but once u do u can appreciate how much better than win7 it is.

819.10.2013 22:06

Not a big Windows 8 fan but I'll say this...It's Fast! As for Windows 8.1 it's faster! The Start Button!!!! Why???? It does nothing!!! I can't believe Microsoft even bothered...takes you back to the stupid tiles and apps metro screen! Start8 third party software is still needed if you require the usual Windows appreance as in Windows XP & 7 we are used to. Unbelievable Microsoft!!!!

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