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Windows Blue Is Officially Windows 8.1, Free For Existing Users

Posted by Soulskill on from the getting-rid-of-the-blues dept.

Several readers sent word that Microsoft has officially dubbed the upcoming revision to its flagship operating system "Windows 8.1," retiring the code-name "Windows Blue." They also said the update would be freely available to anybody with Windows 8. It will be available through the Windows Store. "Reller declined to provide an exact release date for Windows 8.1, but said that Microsoft is 'very sensitive to the timing of the holidays.' Ideally, Microsoft will be able to provide devices with Windows 8.1 pre-loaded in time for the holiday 2013 season, Reller said, but those who purchase a Windows 8 device later this year will be able to easily upgrade to 8.1."

4 of 491 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe I can Start loving Windows again by TWiTfan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Stop saddling me with your damn phone interface and we'll see.

    --
    The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
  2. So are they really fixing it this time? by bobbied · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Running Windows 8 at home has been an exercise in asking "How did that get though testing?" questions.

    I have observed a number of bugs in the current Windows 8 that cause me to seriously doubt Microsoft's Quality control processes. My running favorite issue is how the Parental controls are exceptionally easy to bypass (just a mouse click at the right time and my son has unlimited time despite how the system is configured.. ) Come on Microsoft... Windows 8 was mostly a GUI adjustment to that metro aka touch screen interface... No real kernel changes from Windows 7.. You need to test a bit better kids.

    Windows 8 was not properly tested prior to release, I'm guessing because they rushed it to market. Hopefully 8.1 won't be as rushed and they will actually TEST some of this stuff a bit better this time.

    --
    "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
  3. Re:Wow... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Showing something is better...

    When I showed someone how to do it with win 8 they looked at me and said "how do I know I should do that?!"

    They seemed to have forgot one of their early lessons with the 'start' button.

    http://www.irintech.com/x1/co/3586/1347415399000

  4. Re:Wow... by Andrio · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I tried changing the wallpaper on my brother-in-law's Windows 8 laptop the other day. So I downloaded a picture, and opened it after it finished downloading. The picture loaded in the OS' default image viewer. I saw the picture appear, full-screened, and with no interface. I tried right-clicking the picture. That didn't give me a menu, but an interface did fade into appearance. I promptly saw an option to "Set as."

    I clicked it, thinking: "Surely this will let me set the image as the wallpaper", but I was given just two options: set as lockscreen (IT'S A LAPTOP!), and set as 'app tile'

    I immediately closed the window since the option I wanted wasn't there--no wait, actually I didn't close it. There was no UI option to close this fullscreen picture. I alt-tabbed back to the desktop. I found the picture again, right clicked it, and went to the "open with" option. There were like 5 image viewers that came with Windows to choose from. I chose the old "Windows Photo Viewer" and set it as the default so this madness won't happen again.

    --
    The Internet King? I wonder if he could provide faster nudity.