Windows 8.1 will be a free upgrade
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-Tj-
Nice, thanks for the info 🙂
deltatux
As it should be. Glad to see Microsoft thinking the same thing.
deltatux
Major Melchett
I wonder how they're going to handle the update, will it be like a service pack (simply being able to just update a standard Windows 8 install), or will it be a complete OS type (meaning all Windows 8 users would require a complete OS install to get it).
God I hope we can just update to get it and not require a full re-install of the OS.
nicugoalkeper
Nice move from Microsoft !
volkov956
I will await preview material before I make any judgements this came kinda outta place from previous MS info regarding Windows 8.1 before
chanw4
FACTS: Windows Blue, Free upgrade
Rumour: all other stuff.
angryblanket
8.1 will have a start button, it won't, etc... I keep hearing different things. The fact that Windows has to notify users that it will be a free upgrade when they've admitted that 8 was a FAILURE bothers me.
pimp_gimp
Charms bar updated in what way? I honestly love that thing in Windows 8, can't really think of anything that should be added or removed to or from it. Also, very nice to see Windows 8.1 will be a free update to those who own Windows 8.
JulesCools
They would be charging money if Windows 8 had been a success. It's not out of the goodness of their heart!
Kaleid
Exactly, undoing the bad PR. A quick service pack..
pimp_gimp
Wonder if they'll bring back the ability change your account picture within the legacy UI, instead of having to go into metro, as sometimes browsing folders via metro doesn't work as well as it should.
anticupidon
Just what the doctor ordered.
Good .
Allowing a bit of tweaking of Metro will give us more "choice",so to speak.
Ryu5uzaku
If start menu makes an appearance i hope it won't be forced on my win8 😀
StewieTech
Good move MS, i´ll get it.
LesserHellspawn
The Charms Bar and the other sidebar features of Windows 8 are indeed the parts that I like about it. That's the one thing I left enabled when installing Start 8 🙂
pimp_gimp
They've never said anything about bringing back the menu, just the start orb/button. If only they'd release a more final version so that we can see what they're really bringing. As it is now all the leaks only show what they've updated and changed with the start screen.
Solid_State
Should I own a touch screen for Windows 8.1 ?
schmidtbag
I'm not really surprised this is free. MS knows they would piss off too many customers if they told them to pay after the short lifespan of 8, and they probably want to use 8.1 as a way to get people more inclined to try the Modern interface again. The way I see it, 8.1 is basically a service pack.
scoter man1
"Windows 8.1 is rumored to bring back the Start button and boot-to-desktop..."
Faith in Microsoft somewhat restored.
Neo Cyrus
IMO, yes. It's quite annoying on a laptop that has no touch screen. Others will disagree and say it's the best thing since sliced bread, but they're loud minority. I'm with the majority who think it's the dumbest concept in the history of operating systems.
Every time I start my laptop and see the Metro screen I think of this:
http://cdn.ientry.com/sites/webpronews/pictures/AolWindows8Pic5.jpg
No on can deny it was made for touchscreen mobile devices and only forced on everyone to get people adjusted to it. That's why they strongarmed everything and removed any code from Winblows that would have allowed disabling Metro/Ribbon. I find Ribbon more annoying than Metro after using Win 8 for a while.
Microsoft know they're not Apple, they don't have a large cult following, they can't get away with charging for very small incremental updates.
