Microsoft Creates USB-Based Windows 8.1 Upgrade Kit to...

Windows 8.1 is alive and kicking, but it turns out that not all company partners have been prepared for the launch of a new Windows version.

Only 20 percent of the PCs scheduled to go on sale during this holiday season will come with a preinstalled copy of Windows 8.1, but Microsoft has got you covered.

Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott writes that Redmond has created what is being called a Windows 8.1 Upgrade Kit, delivered on a USB flash drive to retailers selling Windows PCs. Thus, they can easily upgrade the operating system and deploy Windows 8.1 on every sold new PC.
Microsoft Creates USB-Based Windows 8.1 Upgrade Kit to Boost OS Adoption
 
If that is accurate, somebody at MS is finally getting the right ideas. Well done, and not before time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
One has to wonder how that's going to work? Upgrade it to 8.1 and then restore it back to the OOBE state? Also what happens when the user does a Reset or Refresh? Don't get me wrong, I do think its a good idea to move them up to 8.1. I'm just wondering if there will be any hidden gotchas for who ever buys that PC latter on down the road. Who you are you going to call if you have issues? The manufacturer, the retailer that did the update and sold you the PC, or Microsoft, who supplied the update? I'm thinking if left to the retailer to do, this update will only be done on the display models.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
this update will only be done on the display models

LOL. If they can display the desktop , that is clearly going to be less repellant than the much loathed start screen. Things like that can make a surprising difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
this update will only be done on the display models

LOL. If they can display the desktop , that is clearly going to be less repellant than the much loathed start screen. Things like that can make a surprising difference.

That sounds like a good idea but I don't think it would be advantageous. With no Start Menu your going to be back on the Start Screen first mouse click anyway. The retailer is all about the latest and greatest so I don't see too many taking the time to set the display models to boot to desktop. They are going to want you to see that they have Windows 8.X on them. I do get where your coming from though. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Salesmen can display the desktop, click the fake start button, quickly explian , oh look- they are doing your programs full screen to make it easier for you, then very rapidly go back to the desktop.

The customer will likely think it a bit strange, but at first glance it seems like a laptop, and they came in to buy a laptop, so they are less likely to be put off.

The start screen was truly awful. If they wanted that kind of stuff, they would have gone to the phone shop.

8.1 is an interesting beast. It appears to be less metro, but in fact there is more metro. We shall see if the disguise will fool the average punter. I think it might.

Like the Wicked Witch dressed as Dear Old Granny in Snow White.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
The other question to ask is the kit free or $xx.00. No mention any where of cost.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
Salesmen can display the desktop, click the fake start button, quickly explian , oh look- they are doing your programs full screen to make it easier for you, then very rapidly go back to the desktop.

The customer will likely think it a bit strange, but at first glance it seems like a laptop, and they came in to buy a laptop, so they are less likely to be put off.

The start screen was truly awful. If they wanted that kind of stuff, they would have gone to the phone shop.

8.1 is an interesting beast. It appears to be less metro, but in fact there is more metro. We shall see if the disguise will fool the average punter. I think it might.

Like the Wicked Witch dressed as Dear Old Granny in Snow White.

The improvements made in how Metro works on multiple monitors in 8.1 have me running 8.1 on my desktop now instead of 7. I boot to desktop but I still use the Metro Start Screen to launch some apps and programs. I only see it when I need it so it doesn't bother me. Mind you, if I didn't have my free TechNet account and actually had to buy it, I'd still be running 7 on my desktop PC. My laptop came with 8 and is now running 8.1. I only have the one Windows 7 PC in the house now. It doesn't get used much so I haven't bothered to upgrade it to 8. I really didn't like 8 much when I first saw it and used it. I'm quit used to 8 now and don't miss the old start menu.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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