Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   Microsoft has made the official announcement about the Windows 8.1 release date. Windows 8.1 is slated to be released in its final version on October 17, 2013. It will be available at midnight local time for all Windows 8 license holders.

   For those looking to get a new PC with Windows 8.1, you’ll have to wait until October 18 to do so at retail locations and online. We have covered the Windows 8.1 update in great detail on TechNorms, and this is your complete guide to the Windows 8.1 release.

   Don’t forget to bookmark this Guide for future reference, since we will keep updating it with new details.
   What is Windows 8.1?

   Windows 8.1 is the first major update, or service pack, for Windows 8. Windows 8 was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, and was released for general availability on October 26, 2012. The service pack has been released after less than a year, which tells us Microsoft is pretty serious about bringing in new features and implementing user feedback.

   Windows 8.1 introduces a variety of updates, features and changes to the OS that users wanted, such as a Start Button tied to the Win + X Menu, new enhanced apps and even the ability to boot to the desktop to bypass the Metro design.

   Here’s some more changes and guides you’ll be interested in reading up on before Windows 8.1 rolls out to all users:

   The Windows 8.1 Start Button – The Preview’s Biggest Disappointment
   6 Lesser Known/Hidden Features In Windows 8.1
   The Complete Guide to Windows 8.1 PC Settings
   Windows 8.1 Introduces True SkyDrive Integration – Everything You Need To Know
   The Complete Guide To the Windows 8.1 Smart Search Feature
   Windows 8.1 Multitasking Improves, Makes the Snap Feature More Functional
   Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 8.1 Although Impressive, Seems Incomplete
   The Windows 8.1 Lock Screen Slideshow Feature Turns it into a Cloud Powered Photo Frame
   Xbox Music Comes To Windows 8.1 and the Web, Offers a Ton of Nice Features
   Bing Apps: Health & Fitness and Food & Drink are Now a Part of Windows 8.1
   How To Boot To Desktop in Windows 8.1 and Other Start Screen Tweaks
   Windows 8.1: App Store Gets a Major Overhaul, Delivers Much Needed Tweaks
   The New Default Apps in Windows 8.1 Add More Functionality to the OS
   DPI Scaling in Windows 8.1 – How to Use It For Getting Better View on Your Monitor
   How To Switch Between Local and Microsoft Accounts In Windows 8 and 8.1
   How To Use SD or Micro SD Cards As Libraries In Windows 8.1
   How To Terminate/Close Apps In Windows 8.1
   How To Disable The Charms Bar Hot Corners In Windows 8 And 8.1
   How To Set Up a Proxy Server to Surf Anonymously In Windows 8.1
   How the Windows 8 SmartScreen Filter Protects You from Phishing and Malware
   Windows 8.1 Build 9471 Leaked – Here’s What’s New

   As you can see, there are a lot of exciting new features coming to Windows 8.1. Keep this page bookmarked as we update it as your complete guide to Windows 8.1.
   How to Upgrade to Windows 8.1

   Before the Windows 8.1 upgrade goes live, make sure you’ve created system recovery media for your PC. This can be done in a variety of ways, and we’ve covered many of them here at TechNorms. Make sure you’ve backed up your files, photos, music and other personal information as well.

   As long as you didn’t upgrade to the Windows 8.1 Pro Preview, you will be able to seamlessly transfer your apps and data during the update. Unfortunately, if you chose to install the Windows 8.1 Pro Preview, you will have to essentially do a “fresh install” when updating which will erase your apps and programs.

   At midnight local time on October 17, you’ll be able to log on to your PC and download the official upgrade from the Windows Store. It will automatically be added to the Windows Store and all you’ll need to do is login under the Microsoft Account on your PC you bought Windows 8 with. From there, you’ll be prompted to download and upgrade your computer to Windows 8.1.

   We don’t recommend anyone to sit up waiting for midnight to roll around on October 17 to upgrade to Windows 8.1. There will be a lot of Windows users who will try to do that which will make the download take longer and the overall install process be more frustrating for you. This can make the overall process much longer for users who just want to upgrade on their own time. Waiting for a few days, or even the weekend, will be much easier for users to upgrade to Windows 8.1 than trying to do so the night of the release.
   Conclusion

   While Microsoft won’t force users to upgrade to Windows 8.1, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t when it released on October 17, 2013. Windows 8 may be a disappoint to many new computer owners and those who upgrade, but Microsoft is making an effort to address user concerns and add new and useful features to Windows 8 in 8.1.

   What features or updates do you want to see in Windows 8.1? Let us know by commenting below.

   article plus links plus video

   Posted 11 years ago #
2. 

   Whiterabbit-uk
   Games Guru

   I want to see Aero reinstated. :(

   Posted 11 years ago #
3. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   I still find this copying and pasting of articles to be pointless and annoying. Why not just give the post a title and then post the link as was done at the end?

   Posted 11 years ago #
4. 

   thenameipicked
   Member

   @Whiterabbit...I like Aero...but I think this new theme still looks sleek, AND it consumes a lot less resources than Aero. A good decision, IMO.

   Posted 11 years ago #
5. 

   graylox
   Moderator

   @ rta53
   Why don't you just ignore what you don't like?
   Why do you guess that others have to be like you?
   Why do you feel the urge to drag down a valued friend of this community?

   graylox

   24-08-2013

   Posted 11 years ago #
6. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   Graylox,

   It was not my intention to bring anyone down. I was speaking more in general about the practice of just copying and pasting entire articles. When I see a forum topic that look interesting I usually expect to see comments by the poster. I think you overreacted. Didn't know it was such a bad thing to express an opinion.

   Posted 11 years ago #
7. 

   freakassoid
   Member

   hello

   @rta53 i sometimes post story's here also thinking knowledge for people is key
   in helping people that doin't know about things that could effect them and thay
   might not read it elsewhere

   so to get there interest i post a short story from the link then lead them to the
   story

   if thay doin't see part of the story i doin't think thay will look would you?

   also to give credit to the persion that had written the story it's nice to link it
   back to them because i did not wright it

   i just thought others could find the story useful

   i find alot of things useful here and thank all the people here that contribute story's
   of helpful things

   thanks

   James

   :)

   Posted 11 years ago #
8. 

   freakassoid
   Member

   hello

   dang i just installed Windows 8.1 (aka.Blue) on Virtualbox and the installer would freeze and hang but i got it installed

   it forced me in to set up a email acc. with outlook and then asked for another email addy to send a code to and would not let me pass that unless i used the code then it finshed the install

   and the start button just go's in loop lol you click it then it go's to the tiles screen with a arrow pointing down you click that it go's to your apps screen then you click the button again it go's back to the desktop lmao

   i think i like my new Win 8 pc the way it is (Hp p7-1439) i'm used to it and do not mind how it is now

   i'm going to wait and see how others do with Win 8.1 first

   thanks

   James

   :)

   Posted 11 years ago #

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