Why Windows 8.1 Update

I've no problems with Windows 8.1 Update apart from it's name. Why on earth didn't they call it 8.2 or at least 8.1.1 as some people are saying, it's so confusing.

If you look in 'System' it still states 8.1, grrrrrrrrr

Hello Philgo,

It's called that since it was only a few Windows Updates for Windows 8.1. Even though it included a feature pack.

Since it was only an update to Windows 8.1, thus the "Windows 8.1 Update" name.

In System Information (msinfo32), the Hardware Abstraction Layer version number is different for each. The build number (9600) is still the same for both though.

Windows 8.1 = 6.3.9600.16384

Windows 8.1 Update = 6.3.9600.17031

Hope this helps,
Shawn

When going from 8.0 to 8.1 the Windows kernel was updated from 6.2 to 6.3. When the kernel is updated Microsoft update or increment the OS version number or change the name.

NT 6.0 = Vista, NT6.1 = Windows 7, NT6.2 = 8.0, NT6.3 = 8.1. The 8.1 "Update" (also called update 1) didn't change the kernel version so Windows retained the same version number. They also chose not to designate it as a service pack. It's often referred to as 8.1.1 on this forum but that's not an official designation.

Thanks for the replies, but I can't help thinking Microsoft should give it a proper name to avoid confusion.

Philgo said:

Thanks for the replies, but I can't help thinking Microsoft should give it a proper name to avoid confusion.

Click to expand...

although it really makes no difference to me ,i agree ,so i call it 8.1.1 just for the heck of it

Windows 8.1 SE ? The ISO's on TechNet and MSDN are listed as "Windows 8.1 with update". They don't even call it update 1, just update.

Yep, the official name is "Windows 8.1 Update".

Brink said:

Hello Philgo,

It's called that since it was only a few Windows Updates for Windows 8.1. Even though it included a feature pack.

Since it was only an update to Windows 8.1, thus the "Windows 8.1 Update" name.

In System Information (msinfo32), the Hardware Abstraction Layer version number is different for each. The build number (9600) is still the same for both though.

Windows 8.1 = 6.3.9600.16384

Windows 8.1 Update = 6.3.9600.17031

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Click to expand...

Shawn, I'm sorry to make it look like I'm correcting you, but . . .

My Registry shows: HKEY_LOCL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion>BuildLabEx shows 9600.17041.

Also, I've been to several spots in Windows 8.1 Update and so far, the Registry is the only place I can actually find the build number.

Mine also shows 9600.17041

No worries Wynona.

Mine shows the same 9600.17041 in the registry, but shows 6.3.9600.17031 under Hardware Abstraction Layer in System Information (msinfo32).

I just call it Windows 8.1.1 because Windows 8.1 Update 1 sounds tedious and Windows 8.1 Update without context can refer to the ACTUAL Windows 8.1 release itself.

^^^ This!! ^^^

Brink said:

No worries Wynona.

Mine shows the same 9600.17041 in the registry, but shows 6.3.9600.17031 under Hardware Abstraction Layer in System Information (msinfo32).

Click to expand...

Wow, what a confused computer. Mine says the same . . . I tried looking in System Information, but didn't look far enough down to find this! And . . . for what it's worth, very few will look in the Registry; System Information is where everyone will look first.

Which makes me wonder . . . is Microsoft the confused one and not my computer? :huh:

Coke Robot said:

I just call it Windows 8.1.1 because Windows 8.1 Update 1 sounds tedious and Windows 8.1 Update without context can refer to the ACTUAL Windows 8.1 release itself.

Click to expand...

I guess I'll call it by its "official" name: Windows 8.1 Update; that's what the logical side of my brain makes me do! Dang thing don't give me no choice!

And, for the record, we're not going to change what others call it . . .

i'll call it mommie