Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to Windows 8. It’s what the original Windows 8 should have been, with important improvements for both desktop and tablet users. So why are more people using Windows 8 than Windows 8.1?
It’s hard not to see this as a failure for Microsoft. Windows 8.1 is the first “new version” of Windows they’ve given out for free to existing users and most Windows 8 users aren’t biting.
Source
A Guy
Windows 8 is great, I love it. It took me a month to get used to, but once I set it up it has been 10 times what Windows 7 was, and Windows 7 was no slouch.
But 8.1 feels like a forced update, it is not the same OS as Windows 8. Windows 8 is still very similar to 7, but 8.1 is VERY different. Most people don't bother with the Metro Screen, so any improvements in that area for 8.1 are worthless to those users - People will generally stick with what works, Windows 8.1 cannot do half of what I require it to do, cos the most useful functions have been totally removed, including Backing up the system.
So, there is a Facebook App update that only works for 8.1? Don't need it, never used it in 8 either.
Why do Mac users update instantly? Because they KNOW they are installing a Desktop OS, and that it is NOT significantly different than their previous OS- Where Mac OS's stay basically the same, only adding functions and features, Windows 8.1 has totally different features, and mostly, mostly MISSING features.
Windows 8.1 is no Windows OS, Windows 8 definitely IS a windows OS - And Microsoft totally abandoned it, leaving users like me who loved it in the dust, with a kick in the arse as "Thank You".
There should have been a Windows 8 Service park. There should BE a service pack - But on ALL of the MS Sites, there is not one word about Windows 8.
Also, we are still buying from the warehouses of Windows 8 machines that did not sell last year. So a new PC Will most likely have Windows 8 on it - Except for HP, who have started making PCs with Windows 7 on them, and my last 2 clients have bought THOSE instead of 8 - And with a 150 dollar discount on all machines with 7 on them, its a high incentive for HP consumers.
I've sent maybe 10 people who were looking for new PCs to HP in the last 2 months.