Windows 8.1 Preview

Same here. One of the reasons I was interested in using the dev/previews before Windows 8 released is I was under the assumption they would add/change features as the development of 8 progressed, they did not. It was just a static release that only got bugfixes. The same appears to be true with 8.1, which is already outdated according to leaks, so I'm not all that interested.

Only 2 months anyway, that will be over in no time and it will be Christmas again before you know it.

 

If it sucks, I will downgrade to Win XP Home.

And LOL at Win Defender, I read it will feature a HIPS, will we be impressed?

I doubt it.

 

Yeah, I don't know what's come over me, but I like it!

Which leads me to a question. Since I passed on buying Win 8.0 at the bargain price last year, is there any way a person will be able to buy 8.1 as a stand-alone OS that we can install etc. Or does 8.1 require 8.0 to be installed first, and then it's just an upgrade? I'm assuming I won't be able to buy 8.1 alone and do a fresh install with it, without 8. Anyone know?

 

on the article i read it said that download and physical versions would be available.
so i would guess it would be available as a stand alone product.

http://arstechnica.com/information-...ipping-online-and-physically-on-october-18th/

 

It's not clear to me from that link... I'm guessing it's just an upgrade to 8 users.. but maybe you're right.

 

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-releases-to-manufacturing-windows-8-1-sources-7000019819/

https://twitter.com/maryjofoley/status/371400509967433728

 

Nice, look forward to upgrading to IE11.

 

hi Brian is really better then w8 ?
is better then w7 ?
what do you think?
thanks

 

mantra,

I've been playing with the "unofficial" Win8.1 RTM. Metro and Windows Explorer are different from Win8 and I like the changes. There is a Start button which has Shutdown/Restart choices but overall Win8.1 performs the same as Win8. I gather it doesn't have Imaging but I didn't bother to look as I don't use Microsoft Imaging.

Of interest is a Win8.1 upgrade takes up less HD Used Space than your prior Win8 installation. In each of my upgrades I gained 3 to 4 GB of Free Space and this comes mainly from less data in C:\Windows\WinSxS.

It is easy to avoid installing with a Microsoft Account username. I installed with a Local Account each time.

After the upgrade has completed you will see a $folder and a Windows.old folder in the C: drive. Using Disk Cleanup gets rid of these folders.

I also did clean installs of Win8.1 but I preferred the Upgrades as all my installed apps and tweaks were present. A Win8.1 clean install takes 9 minutes but the Upgrade takes a lot longer. I didn't time it but maybe 40 minutes.

 

one member here, can't recall the name, mentioned that there is compression applied to the data somehow....

anyway,

i been running the 8.1 beta for 2 months now and it has been just as solid as a Final release so far.

 

My experience with it has been good also. No problems to speak of. I like the adjustments they've made too, small details, but effective. When they start putting 8.1 on new machine shipments, I might be in the market for a new laptop. Seems pretty good.

 

thanks Brian !!
is safe "unofficial" Win8.1 RTM ? i mean is 100% microsoft or with malware?

 

It is meant to be OK. Time will tell. I used my $40 Win8 key and it is now activated.

 

brian if your version is the one i think it is i have verified with people i know it is an official build. i will not post links nor any other info here. but you are welcme to pm me if you would like.

 

Here's an interesting 3 page article on the subject:

 

I'm a luddite - in the sense that I prefer a clean and simple operating system. Windows 8 is designed for morons. As Mrkvonic puts it - you have to put in 50% more work to achieve the same result you achieved in previous versions of Windows. Multi-fail on that account and on many other levels as well. The tablet-y aspect of Windows 8 doesn't go over well with Desktop PC users. Microsoft is NOT listening to its user base. Windows 8.1 is putting lipstick on a pig! It doesn't address all the things people don't like about Windows 8 and thanks to its computing monopoly, Microsoft has decided, in its innate wisdom, to force people to use an interface they don't want. Windows 8 sucks mega-turbo and this review is proof of it!

 

with the new boot to desktop feature in 8.1 i never see Metro.

i also like that you can disable the hot spot for the top right corner so one does not invoke the Charm bar by accident while trying to clicking the little X to close a program.

 

I have been using 8.1 and I do like it better than 8.0. But I don't think 8.1 is meant to change anything much, I think it's meant to just fill the gap till 9 comes out, which shouldn't be too long from now. Let's see what happens in 9. 8.x basically is what it is... Don't expect too much.

 

I feel the article articulates the issues pretty well. The more people who speak up the better IMHO.

 

I'm going to download it but it looks like an upgrade of an existing installation from the iso is difficult.

 

AFAIK you can just mount the ISO then run the setup executable, right?

 

for those that downloaded the leaked 8.1 as i stated the hashes match to technet and msdn so you know you got the real iso and do not have to re-install:

WZT x64 (core/pro) RTM:
Filename: Windows_8.1_EN-US_x64.ISO
sha1: BC2F7FF5C91C9F0F8676E39E703085C65072139B
--MATCHES--
MSDN RTM - Windows 8.1 (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English)
Filename: en_windows_8_1_x64_dvd_2707217.iso
sha1: BC2F7FF5C91C9F0F8676E39E703085C65072139B

WZT x86 (core/pro) RTM:
Filename: Windows_8.1_EN-US_x86.ISO
sha1: 802CFCD3A411D99C097EA7E747F0B6697F9BDAC4
--MATCHES--
MSDN RTM - Windows 8.1 (multiple editions) (x86) - DVD (English)
Filename: en_windows_8_1_x86_dvd_2707392.iso
sha1: 802CFCD3A411D99C097EA7E747F0B6697F9BDAC4

WZT x64 (Language Packs) RTM:
Filename: 9600.16384.130821-1623_x64fre_Client_MULTI_IRM_CL1_DV5.iso
sha1: 4D567D72CBFF463F5C2C64B0B221E7A408240183
--MATCHES--
MSDN RTM - Windows 8.1 Language Pack (x64) - DVD (Multiple Languages)
Filename: mu_windows_8_1_language_pack_x64_dvd_2706084.iso
sha1: 4D567D72CBFF463F5C2C64B0B221E7A408240183

WZT x86 (Language Packs) RTM:
Filename: 9600.16384.130821-1623_x86fre_Client_MULTI_IRM_CL1_DV5.iso
sha1: 3B62F16F50F3F80A58BE29B4B3A99885BD8F1AD4
--MATCHES--
MSDN RTM - Windows 8.1 Language Pack (x86) - DVD (Multiple Languages)
Filename: mu_windows_8_1_language_pack_x86_dvd_2706085.iso
sha1: 3B62F16F50F3F80A58BE29B4B3A99885BD8F1AD4

 

I've got the Media Center upgrade. I have seen claims that first you must enter the original Windows 8 key to activate after upgrading and then use the Media Center key to upgrade that again. I have doubts about that process as I have yet to see someone that has done it all and verified it working.