Windows 8.1 Update Now Available
by Ryan Smith on October 17, 2013 9:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Software
- Operating Systems
- Windows
- Microsoft
- Windows 8.1
October 17th is here, and as previously announced by Microsoft Windows 8.1 is now shipping.
Microsoft’s service pack/update for Windows 8 is being distributed through the Windows 8 Store. Microsoft is apparently doing a staggered rollout, so it’s not visible from every copy of Windows 8 right away, but going through a link to the update from Microsoft’s website will bring up the update regardless of whether it’s visible or not. Meanwhile for users on Windows 7 Microsoft will eventually be selling an updated, retail version of the Windows 8.1 package, though that’s not available quite yet.
As a reminder, Windows 8.1 brings with it a number of the changes, including several changes to the Metro/Modern layer such as adjustments to tile management and window snapping, however there are some low level changes that techies will also be interested in. Among other things, Windows 8.1 will ship with support for Intel’s Connected Standby technology for Haswell, Direct3D 11.2, and a revised DPI scaling mechanism that is better suited for driving the high DPI displays that are coming down the pipeline for both Ultrabooks and desktops.
The size of the update will vary depending on the platform, but for Windows 8 Pro we're seeing 3.42GB, so it goes without saying that this will not be a light download.
Source: Microsoft
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michal1980 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
If it was an apple update we'd have a 30-40 page article listing every tinny change.DanNeely - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Head over to Arstechnica. They've got 3 articles that do a good job of covering it up now.computerninja - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Leave it to the kids @Ars...they do a thorough looksie at stuff!tinaaa - Monday, October 21, 2013 - link
If you th¬ink Tr¬avis`s s¬tory is co¬ol,, a mo¬nth-a¬go ¬mo¬m in-la¬w basica¬lly go¬t a ch¬e¬q¬ue f¬or $7¬484 jus¬t sit¬ting there an eleven h¬our w¬eek fro¬m h¬ome an-d t¬he'r¬e best friend's sister-in-law`s neighbour done t¬his f¬or ni¬ne mo¬nths an¬d mad¬e ov¬er $7484 part time from a la¬btop. ap¬ply t¬he ins¬tructions at th¬is w¬ebsite ...... - See more at:xinthius - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
I am sure they'll do a full review. No need to bring Apple into this.freedom4556 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
No, no. I am in agreement with him on this. I've got nothing against the long Snow Leopard, Lion, Mavericks articles, they are interesting. But I do think we are severely lacking in equal treatment here. I know Anand uses an iMac/Macbook Air, but where's the love for the other 98% market share?Just saying. Don't hate. Not a fanboy.
Hrel - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Completely agreed. The Apple OS's get painstaking detail, Microsoft OS's get a blurb. Still, this is about Tiles 8.1 so I really don't care. I won't care again until it can accurately be called "Windows" instead of "Tiles".althaz - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
It already can, windows haven't gone anywhere at all...Maybe you're referring to the new (optional) metro-style apps? Which don't run in moveable windows (unless you hack that in anyway), but are now horizontally resizeable.
UltraTech79 - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Whiny little bitch.t.s - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Fat, ugly troll.