Windows 8.1 available as free update later this year

Written by James Delahunty @ 14 May 2013 3:28 User comments (4)

Microsoft's upcoming major update for the Windows 8 operating system has officially been dubbed 'Windows 8.1', and will be available for free later this year.

The package of updates will address concerns some Windows 8 users have had with the latest home Desktop OS from Microsoft. Some rumored changes included restoring the Start Menu which was dropped in Windows 8 Desktop Mode, and the ability to boot directly to the Desktop interface rather than the tiled Start Screen.

Speaking at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Tami Reller - Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Windows - said that Windows 8 users will be able to get the Windows 8.1 update later this year as a free download from the Windows Store.

A public preview of the update will be made available on June 26 for those interested, timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco.

Tags: Microsoft Windows 8.1

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4 user comments

114.5.2013 21:46

DarkJello

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Finally. I miss the start button. Moving to the corner on a dual monitor set up and waiting for the menu to pop up is agonizing.

215.5.2013 06:55

xnonsuchx

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Why wouldn't it be free? It's a fix for an intentional bug Microsoft created. Are they supposed to be lauded for not charging for it like they're so generous or something?

315.5.2013 08:22

dali

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DarkJello, install Classic Shell, as most Windows 8 users do. Or don't, if you rather wait for this update.

422.5.2013 03:02

SomeBozo

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Originally posted by dali:
DarkJello, install Classic Shell, as most Windows 8 users do. Or don't, if you rather wait for this update.

This is easier said then done. I have to work in an environment where i need to remote desktop into machine, they can be reset daily. Also remoteing into a win8 machine and trying to do the gestures is full of utter fail. Get the classic win 7 shell back in.

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Windows 8.1 available as free update later this year

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