Windows 8.1 RTM Released to MSDN & Technet

Windows 8.1 is now available for download from Technet & MSDN

Based on the feedback from you and our partners, we’re pleased to announce that we will be making available our current Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro RTM builds (as well as Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM builds) to the developer and IT professional communities via MSDN and TechNet subscriptions. The current Windows 8.1 Enterprise RTM build will be available through MSDN and TechNet for businesses later this month. For developers, we are also making available the Visual Studio 2013 Release Candidate, which you can download here. For more on building and testing apps for Windows 8.1, head on over to today’s blog post from Steve Guggenheimer.

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[Wenda]

The main one being that IE11 is NOT ready for prime-time.

If by that you mean many web sites seem to have problems, this is problems with those websites. They have not been updated to expect IE11 as a possible browser.

You can work around this for most sites by pressing F12, then going to the Emulation tab on the left, and then changing the User Agent String to IE10. That will work for most sites, but some may also require you to change the document type as well. Once IE11 is officially released, those sites ill get updated to support IE11 and this problem should eventually go away.

This is not a problem with IE11, and it's not that it's not "ready for prime time", it's that developers are lazy and they write code like "If the browser version is 10, do this cool new thing" and forgetting that there may be a version 11, which won't get that feature anymore.

Done that, mate, and still having issues.

To be fair, they are minor niggles, not major disasters.

It'll do, I've used much worse (think IE4).

For what doesn't render properly, there's always Firefox.

All good.


Wenda.

 

[sygnus21]

OK I did a clean install of 8.1 on my laptop and everything went well. However I did run into one compatibility issue, which basically rendered my current copy of Norton Internet Security (NIS) 2013 in-op. It appears NIS 2013 isn't compatible with 8.1, and this will not install... at all. Wound up installing the beta version of NIS 2014 (NIS 21)

Called Symantec (Norton) this morning about the compatibility issue between NIS 2013 and Win 8.1, and because my subscription was less than 5 months old they upgraded me to NIS 2014, final, free of charge.

That said, there are no issue seen thus far; and Windows 8.1 is working beautiful as well. Now I just need to re-adjust to the new tweaks and stuff Microsoft did with 8.1

 

[waltc]

I personally wouldn't advise using Norton's with Win8/8.1, because an improved version of Microsoft Security Essentials is built into Windows and is standard with Win8 (called Defender.) But if you have to have Norton's in there, then be sure that Defender is turned *off* (it's in the Control Panel.) When you install other antimalware programs like Norton's they will usually turn off Defender (MSE) automatically when they install. But double check and be sure, because the last thing you want is two (or more!) antimalware programs running at the same time--just asking for trouble with those programs interfering with each other to slow things down, false positives, and the like. One antimalware program running at a time is the rule...

Also, with 8.1 (I'm running the real thing), I highly, highly recommend running the Classic Shell version 3.9.5 start button/menu (that's all I use Classic Shell for--I don't install its other features.) This version specifically supports 8.1 and allows you control over the desktop charms and the desktop corners. You can shut them all down if you please--control 8.1 ought to support by default, for all of us non-touch users, but doesn't. The Classic Shell start-button/menu version 3.9.5, freeware, and highly recommended!

 

[sygnus21]

I personally wouldn't advise using Norton's with Win8/8.1, because an improved version of Microsoft Security Essentials is built into Windows and is standard with Win8 (called Defender.)

Well, that's your opinion. For me, if I fully trusted Defender to do it's job on my somewhat public laptop I wouldn't have moved to Norton. And for what it's worth, I'm running MSE on my desktop. Have been since it's inception.

BTW I've never had an issue with Norton myself and have no problems using it. To each his own though.

But if you have to have Norton's in there, then be sure that Defender is turned *off* (it's in the Control Panel.) When you install other antimalware programs like Norton's they will usually turn off Defender (MSE) automatically when they install. But double check and be sure, because the last thing you want is two (or more!) antimalware programs running at the same time--just asking for trouble with those programs interfering with each other to slow things down, false positives, and the like. One antimalware program running at a time is the rule...

Thanks, but I'm also aware of this as well. Also have posted in these (seven & eight) forums about the same as I've seen some users do what you advise against

Also, with 8.1 (I'm running the real thing), I highly, highly recommend running the Classic Shell version 3.9.5 start button/menu (that's all I use Classic Shell for--I don't install its other features.) This version specifically supports 8.1 and allows you control over the desktop charms and the desktop corners. You can shut them all down if you please--control 8.1 ought to support by default, for all of us non-touch users, but doesn't. The Classic Shell start-button/menu version 3.9.5, freeware, and highly recommended!

So am I.

Anyway I prefer not to customize my Windows experience with add-on's. That's me though.

This is good stuff for those not in the know but, I've got a little experience

Thanks.

 

[caperjack]

I highly, highly recommend running the Classic Shell version 3.9.5 start button/

I have to disagree with that recommendation ,for me anyway ,I see nothing wrong with getting use to win8 new start ,and getting to enjoy it ,and im not a touch screen person ,don't even have a touch smart phone ,

 

[waltc]

I highly, highly recommend running the Classic Shell version 3.9.5 start button/

I have to disagree with that recommendation ,for me anyway ,I see nothing wrong with getting use to win8 new start ,and getting to enjoy it ,and im not a touch screen person ,don't even have a touch smart phone ,

I don't see anything wrong with the start page, either. It's just that I prefer the start menu, that's all. And I wish that 8.1 would have given me the degree of control over the desktop corners and charms that Classic Shell gives me. Microsoft got the "boot to desktop" option right, but that's as far as it went, unfortunately. In all honesty, I find the 3.9.5 version of CS to be the best version yet, and it integrates so seamlessly with 8.1 that I forget it's there--except when it provides a customization option Microsoft didn't want me to have, for some reason.

 

[waltc]

This is good stuff for those not in the know but, I've got a little experience

Thanks.

Yea, it's hard to know who knows what, these days... I've actually chatted with people who thought that the more antimalware programs they ran, the better!... (Two heads better than one logic, etc.)

I'm not usually one for Windows add-ons, either. But this version of CS is the best one by far, and it's so seamless I forget it's there most of the time, except (as I told the other fellow) when I want to customize something Microsoft doesn't think I should be able to customize, that is. I think I can say that this is the first time I've ever used this kind of a Freeware Windows add-on! This version is the exception for me--you should try it, maybe, just for grins. It uninstalls easily and won't hurt a thing in your default setup. The RT UI is still there if I want to access it for some reason, but the nice thing about Win8/8.1 is if we don't want to look at the RT UI, we don't have to...

Best regards...

 

[Dave44]

I highly, highly recommend running the Classic Shell version 3.9.5 start button/

I have to disagree with that recommendation ,for me anyway ,I see nothing wrong with getting use to win8 new start ,and getting to enjoy it ,and im not a touch screen person ,don't even have a touch smart phone ,

I don't see anything wrong with the start page, either. It's just that I prefer the start menu, that's all. And I wish that 8.1 would have given me the degree of control over the desktop corners and charms that Classic Shell gives me. Microsoft got the "boot to desktop" option right, but that's as far as it went, unfortunately. In all honesty, I find the 3.9.5 version of CS to be the best version yet, and it integrates so seamlessly with 8.1 that I forget it's there--except when it provides a customization option Microsoft didn't want me to have, for some reason.

it does you can turn off hot corners on 8.1 and boot straight to desktop if you want

 

[niekoniekonieko]

Question for real people, not for trolls : what do you think about these new apple's level "features", or are those bugs ? 1) broken usb power management, every usb device is shut down after a few minutes of inactivity. 2) you cannot turn off windows search, there is no such thing in add/remove programs -> "windows features", maybe it is trying to do first jobs for search ads ? 3) castrated functions like management of services and so on.

 

[Mystere]

Question for real people, not for trolls : what do you think about these new apple's level "features", or are those bugs ? 1) broken usb power management, every usb device is shut down after a few minutes of inactivity. 2) you cannot turn off windows search, there is no such thing in add/remove programs -> "windows features", maybe it is trying to do first jobs for search ads ? 3) castrated functions like management of services and so on.

Are you referring to Windows 8? If so, then you are confused about a few things.

First, USB Power management can be configured. There are settings in the devices hardware profile to enable whether it is turned off or not on the Power Management tab.

Second, You can turn off Windows Search by disabling the service in Services.

Third, Add/Remove programs was renamed Programs and Features in Vista. Same functionality. It has a "Turn Windows Features on and off" link.

I have no idea what you mean about "castrated functions". The standard old Services MMC plugin is still there. You can also control services in Task Manager now as well, although it has less functionality.. Maybe that's what you mean.. but you can always still use Services.mmc

 

[niekoniekonieko]

Sry, i mean in windows 8.1 , i know, in windows 8 you can do something, but 8.1 is just big pain in the ass.
In windows 8.1, as i tried, you cant :
1. turn off windows search through windows features in add/remove programs, is there another way ?
2. yes, services are still there, but their management is limited, i.e. you cant change startup type of some services and so on.
3. you cant control power management of usb devices, it's broken.

 

[Mystere]

I'm using 8.1, and power management does in fact work. Are you using the preview? That's beta code. It has bugs. Otherwise it would be released.

Services are no more limited than they were in older versions. I don't know of any service you can't change the startup type for. I just checked mine, and I tried about 2 dozen services, all lf them let me change the startup type.

You can turn off Windows Search by stopping the Windows Search service, and setting the startup to disabled. I just did it on mine. It works. I'm using 8.1 RTM.

 

[niekoniekonieko]

No, its full rtm version from microsofts dreamspark. You checked not all services, i checked them all, and they are limited. I bet when you disable windows search service, it will only disable indexing, but search will still work, and there still will be search boxes in explorer.

 

[sygnus21]

No, its full rtm version from microsofts dreamspark. You checked not all services, i checked them all, and they are limited. I bet when you disable windows search service, it will only disable indexing, but search will still work, and there still will be search boxes in explorer.

Pardon me for asking but why is it so important to disable the search function?

And yes, though there are still issue to be worked, this is no different than any other newly released OS.

And for the record, IE11 needs work as well - Example DreamSpark doesn't work correctly with IE11 in either Windows 8.1 or IE11 under Windows 7 - IE11 Release Preview for Windows 7 Now Available - Page 8 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Anyway just curious why you need to disable all these services.

 

[Mystere]

And for the record, IE11 needs work as well - Example DreamSpark doesn't work correctly with IE11 in either Windows 8.1 or IE11 under Windows 7 - IE11 Release Preview for Windows 7 Now Available - Page 8 - Windows 7 Help Forums

You really don't understand the issues there. The problem is not a problem with IE11, and it's really not helpful to go around yelling about how IE11 needs work.

The issue is that the website was not written correctly and has bugs in which they expect the version of IE to work a certain way. But, since IE11 has greater standards compliance, it doesn't work that way. You fix these issues by using the emulation modes in IE11 until the website has been updated to work correctly with the newer browser.

Again, the issue is the website. Not IE11. Although Microsoft does maintain a list of compatibility fixes that they apply for various sites, that enable various hacks to allow poorly written sites to work in the newer browser, and Microsoft might update this list to include some sites.. that doesn't mean the problem is in IE11. Microsoft is just doing you a favor by "breaking" IE to make it work with the poor site.

 

[Mystere]

No, its full rtm version from microsofts dreamspark. You checked not all services, i checked them all, and they are limited. I bet when you disable windows search service, it will only disable indexing, but search will still work, and there still will be search boxes in explorer.

It might help if you specified which services you're referring to. I can't find a single one, so name one.

You asked how to "turn off" Windows Search, you didn't say "Uninstall". No, you can't uninstall search as it's integrated into the OS. It's a key part. You can turn it off though by disabling the search service.

 

[sygnus21]

And for the record, IE11 needs work as well - Example DreamSpark doesn't work correctly with IE11 in either Windows 8.1 or IE11 under Windows 7 - IE11 Release Preview for Windows 7 Now Available - Page 8 - Windows 7 Help Forums

You really don't understand the issues there. The problem is not a problem with IE11, and it's really not helpful to go around yelling about how IE11 needs work.

The fact that you believe there's no issue doesn't mean there isn't one!!!

As for "yelling about how IE11 needs work". Show me a myriad of my posts doing so.

There's more than one voice in this forum whether you like it or not. If you feel my posts are in error there's a more civil way of handling it.

Instead of arguing with you, I'll let the admins decide it.

Later

 

[Mystere]

And for the record, IE11 needs work as well - Example DreamSpark doesn't work correctly with IE11 in either Windows 8.1 or IE11 under Windows 7 - IE11 Release Preview for Windows 7 Now Available - Page 8 - Windows 7 Help Forums

You really don't understand the issues there. The problem is not a problem with IE11, and it's really not helpful to go around yelling about how IE11 needs work.

The fact that you believe there's no issue doesn't mean there isn't one!!!

As for "yelling about how IE11 needs work". Show me a myriad of my posts doing so.

There's more than one voice in this forum whether you like it or not. If you feel my posts are in error there's a more civil way of handling it.

I'm not sure where I said anything about a myriad of posts, but I would suggest that using three exclamation points in a sentence would amount to yelling.

You said "for the record", which implies you are stating something as fact. Just because you believe the issue is with IE doesn't mean it is either.

In my experience with IE11, I've encountered at least 150 sites that have issues with IE11. All of them worked perfectly when you do nothing more than change the user agent string to tell the site the browser is IE10 (this doesn't change any rendering functionality, it only tells the site that you're a browser it knows about).

My point is, before you state something "for the record", you might want to make sure it's true.

 

[Dave44]

IE 11 has blurred text issue as lots have said on this forum on some sites and is incompatible with java and other plug ins hopefully that be fixed when it is officially released or in next update it is the faster browser and hopefully the couple of issues will be fixed very soon then I can go back to windows 8.1 as I went back to windows 8 till IE 11 issues sorted

 

[sygnus21]

My point is, before you state something "for the record", you might want to make sure it's true.

I posted my factual findings and stand by my statement, whether you agree or not. You can re-read my post you so adamantly disagree with and check out the site yourself (provided you have an account) using IE11.

That said, "for the record", I stand by my statement(s).

Also, for the record, I happen to like IE11, growing pains aside.

Amway this conversation is finished