Windows 8.1 Preview Released

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Microsoft | Sofware | Windows 8.1 Preview Released | Microsoft released an update for Windows 8 preview today, and we've got all the details, starting with how to get your hands on it.

Before we give the download link, there are a few things to remember:

Windows 8.1 will be a free update to Windows 8.

Windows 8.1 will be offered through the Windows App Store at this time, although you will need a small update to trigger it.

Tomorrow, there will be a download an ISO image of Windows 8.1. MSDN and TechNet subscribers can download the ISO release.

Important: After you upgrade to 8.1 preview, you can not upgrade from that for the final release later this year.

Update: some PCs will not run the 8.1 update, and the 64-bit version does not work in VirtualBox virtual machine from what we could tell.

First, you'll need to head to this URL and download a small application to trigger the update. Open and install the update the first time. You will be prompted to reboot at the end.

Once you reboot, you will be asked to head to the store to get the update.

It does not work in VirtualBox for us, but it should work the other way.
What's New in Windows 8.1?

Let's face it - Windows 8 is not very popular, and while there are a ton of enhancements are really great and speed under the hood, the paint job makes people very angry. The new "Metro" start screen not only forced all people, but you almost can not adjust, so it is not like you will learn to love it. Plus they renamed it from the Metro to the Modern, which left everyone more confused.

The biggest complaint is the removal of the start button, start menu, and the fact that you can no longer boot to the desktop. Everything else is not really important. So what are the biggest new feature?

Start Button Back: although it does not open the home screen. There is no start menu.

Boot Option to Desktop is: it's very easy to turn on, too. Read here for how to enable Boot to Desktop.

Unified Search: Search engine on Windows 8 just terrible, splitting different search into several parts that make no sense. Now it is grouped into a single search engine like in Windows 7.

Better Start Screen Personalization: much better experience this time. You can adjust the size of the tile more, use a background image, modern applications can be taken to fill half the screen, multiple monitors are supported much better, and many other improvements.

There are tons of other improvements in Windows 8.1, but they are the most important.
(iklan)