Goodbye Windows 8, hello Windows 8.1

Consider the following: Internet Explorer 11 is available as a preview for Windows 7 or as part of the Windows 8.1 preview, but not for Windows 8. Similarly, PowerShell 4 will run on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, but not Windows 8 — even though it will be available for Windows Server 2012, which is the same core code as Windows 8.

So does this mean Microsoft giving up on Windows 8? Um, no.
Windows 8.1 is Windows 8, as far as Microsoft is concerned. It's an update to Windows 8 that will be available in the Windows Store, free of charge. It has new APIs that aren't in Windows 8 that Internet Explorer can use.
[h=3]Read this[/h]
Windows 8.1 unveiled: will it change your mind about Windows 8?

The Start button is back. But that's just one of a very long list of changes you'll find in Windows 8.1, which will be available as a preview in a few weeks and will be released before the end of the year. Don't let the name or the price tag (free) fool you: this is a major update. Here's what's inside.


Microsoft will port some — but not all — of those back to Windows 7 for IE 11; as we understand it, the HTML5 Media Source Extensions and Encrypted Media Extensions support that lets you stream Netflix in IE 11 without needing a plugin won't make it to Windows 7.
Goodbye Windows 8, hello Windows 8.1 | ZDNet
 
Why do these reviewers keep saying "the start button is back" when it isn't?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
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    i7 3820qm
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    Alienware / Dell
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    16gb Corsair ddr3
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    Dual GTX 675m
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    1tb storage drive
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    Not nearly fast enough
Why do these reviewers keep saying "the start button is back" when it isn't?

It's obvious that a (sort of) start button is available, in lower left corner... but we know that it's not THE start button most expected.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Consider the following: Internet Explorer 11 is available as a preview for Windows 7 or as part of the Windows 8.1 preview, but not for Windows 8. Similarly, PowerShell 4 will run on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, but not Windows 8 — even though it will be available for Windows Server 2012, which is the same core code as Windows 8.

It's clear, they want everyone to upgrade (or something else) since 8.0 will lack some support, a strategic move...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I've not missed the Start button so it doesn't make any difference to me.;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
I like the start button on pc, but I do not need it on my tablet, so I will use classic shell instead
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
Why do these reviewers keep saying "the start button is back" when it isn't?

Because they believe we're stupid enough to believe whatever they tell us...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
There's nothing much between IE10 and IE11, let MS keep their precious IE11 :p
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Theoretically the 'Start Button' is back but that's not to be confused as saying the 'Start Menu' is back.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2670QM
    Memory
    Samsung 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GT 555M
    Hard Drives
    Intel 525 120GB | HGST Travelstar 1TB
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet | Microsoft Sculpt Comfort
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps | 600 Kbps
    Other Info
    Seagate Backup Plus 1TB
I'll install Win 8.1, but I'll continue to use Classic Shell... I like the improved underpinnings of Win8, just not the "improved" interface...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
I really don't get it...the start button and start shortcut are two totally different things... unless you are a simple minded M$ exec that don't get it... the former implies some sort of logic...I don't see why we have to spell things out as to what the start button represents.. a menu obviously! that's how it's been since Windows 95....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
I find the new "start button" more an annoyance than anything useful. It's just part of the desktop taskbar now but it was always there in Windows 8 lurking hidden in the lower left corner. It appears MS has added some functionality when you right-click on the start icon but beyond that it's not a very useful thing. Why do I want to launch the start interface from the desktop? If I need to use the default start interface then I'm probably not using the traditional desktop. If I use the traditional desktop then it seems a step backwards to click that Start button to launch something that's probably going to hide my desktop anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
Theoretically the 'Start Button' is back but that's not to be confused as saying the 'Start Menu' is back.

That's exactly right. In fact, the start menu has never been gone either. It's just a full screen start menu now. It's the small, classic start menu that people want back. Personally, I'm not sure why people are so fixated on this, the full screen menu has been working fine for me. In fact, I think it looks a lot better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Theoretically the 'Start Button' is back but that's not to be confused as saying the 'Start Menu' is back.

That's exactly right. In fact, the start menu has never been gone either. It's just a full screen start menu now. It's the small, classic start menu that people want back. Personally, I'm not sure why people are so fixated on this, the full screen menu has been working fine for me. In fact, I think it looks a lot better.
Ditto....

It is also faster to access the programs in the new start menu, instead of the old one, where one would need to click at least couple of times and scroll to access the program. In W8 just press the "Windows-key", click on the large program icon, that opens in the desktop. The programs can also be pinned to the taskbar in the desktop, or added to the desktop in itself, that removes the need for opening the start menu. Especially when starting the PC bypasses the start up screen and goes directly to the desktop.

The new way of accessing the programs has sound logic, does simplifies the process, that may not be suitable everywhere and/or for everyone.

I agree that it looks a lot better and the more I use 8.1, the more I like it...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
Theoretically the 'Start Button' is back but that's not to be confused as saying the 'Start Menu' is back.

That's exactly right. In fact, the start menu has never been gone either. It's just a full screen start menu now. It's the small, classic start menu that people want back. Personally, I'm not sure why people are so fixated on this, the full screen menu has been working fine for me. In fact, I think it looks a lot better.
Ditto....

It is also faster to access the programs in the new start menu, instead of the old one, where one would need to click at least couple of times and scroll to access the program. In W8 just press the "Windows-key", click on the large program icon, that opens in the desktop. The programs can also be pinned to the taskbar in the desktop, or added to the desktop in itself, that removes the need for opening the start menu. Especially when starting the PC bypasses the start up screen and goes directly to the desktop.

The new way of accessing the programs has sound logic, does simplifies the process, that may not be suitable everywhere and/or for everyone.

I agree that it looks a lot better and the more I use 8.1, the more I like it...

This sounds great in theory, but that isn't what is actually going on. When you are in the "start screen" you are actually in the modern UI environment. This is a complete OS environment loaded in memory. It's more than just a screen. According to Microsoft this is the "future". Simplified apps and simplified UI. When you are in Desktop mode you are in the "legacy environment." Again according to Microsoft. For us old folks this would be the "MSDOS Virtual Machine" of the Windows 3.1 days.

What everyone is up in arms about is the fact that people want desktop applications. We need some applications that can do meaty processing. We want applications that use up every drop of CPU be it graphic design, photos, video editing, audio editing, software development, games, etc. When we are running on a desktop or traditional laptop we don't want to be switching modes/environments. We simply want and need the desktop environment to continue to run the applications we need and enjoy, and indeed show no signs of disappearing anytime in the foreseeable future.

If the start screen was just a start screen, as the marketing types now try to spin it, I don't think you would have as much push back. Indeed Windows 8.1 "feels" more like this is the case, but it would be interesting to know whether it truly is, or if Windows is running with two environments loaded into memory. Time will tell I suppose.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770k
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 630
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23 inch LED
    Screen Resolution
    1680X1050
    Hard Drives
    1 internal 1tb, 1 external 3tb
The more I use Windows 8, the more I like it. I think my main problem was learning where the stuff I use is hidden on the desktop. I dislike the start up screen because I can't be bothered to learn how to organize it, it seems to have a mind of its own as to how it should be organized, and why would I want to waste my time doing that when I have the desktop organized the way I want?

Is it worth the bother of installing the 8.1 preview now to have a look at it or just wait for the release?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Masuhr - Black Corsair
    CPU
    Intel I7 4770k
    Motherboard
    ASUS Maximus VI Hero
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB DD3-1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA248
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Revodrive 350 480GB
    SSD Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB Sata3
    HDD WD Red 2x2TB Sata3
    PSU
    Corsair 860i
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF X
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Keyboard
    LG G19
    Mouse
    Microsoft Sidewinder X8
    Internet Speed
    DSL
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech T650 Touchpad
This sounds great in theory, but that isn't what is actually going on. When you are in the "start screen" you are actually in the modern UI environment. This is a complete OS environment loaded in memory. It's more than just a screen. According to Microsoft this is the "future". Simplified apps and simplified UI. When you are in Desktop mode you are in the "legacy environment." Again according to Microsoft. For us old folks this would be the "MSDOS Virtual Machine" of the Windows 3.1 days.
As long as the switching between the two GUIs is instantaneous even on my old laptop, I really don't care what is behind it. The benefits outweigh the memory implication, especially nowadays when memory is plenty.
Calling it "MSDOS Virtual Machine" is a stretch, even if I fondly recall my Windows 3.11 machine...

What everyone is up in arms about is the fact that people want desktop applications. We need some applications that can do meaty processing. We want applications that use up every drop of CPU be it graphic design, photos, video editing, audio editing, software development, games, etc. When we are running on a desktop or traditional laptop we don't want to be switching modes/environments. We simply want and need the desktop environment to continue to run the applications we need and enjoy, and indeed show no signs of disappearing anytime in the foreseeable future.
In today's PCs the performance bottleneck is still the HDD and SSD, the latter one helps, but it is still a bottleneck when compared to the CPU and memory subsystem. Just throw in enough memory and your desktop application will be just fine.

If the start screen was just a start screen, as the marketing types now try to spin it, I don't think you would have as much push back. Indeed Windows 8.1 "feels" more like this is the case, but it would be interesting to know whether it truly is, or if Windows is running with two environments loaded into memory. Time will tell I suppose.
One can choose to go directly to the desktop at boot time, but I doubt that the start screen isn't loaded.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
As long as the switching between the two GUIs is instantaneous even on my old laptop, I really don't care what is behind it. The benefits outweigh the memory implication, especially nowadays when memory is plenty.
Calling it "MSDOS Virtual Machine" is a stretch, even if I fondly recall my Windows 3.11 machine...

Actually the MSDOS VM isn't really a stretch. They use the same methodology when moving to 32 bit and 64 bit Windows. Those 16 bit apps ran in a 16 bit Windows VM, and same for 32 bit apps in 64 bit Windows. That's why even compatibility mode doesn't work for some Windows apps.

As for the memory, it does matter to some. I have friends that have video businesses they run on the side of their day jobs. They can eat up an entire 16GB is seconds while editing and start swapping to the HD. Gamers can claim the same with some games. So folks care if there is extra code just dangling out there for no apparent reason.

Please don't get me wrong, I like the Modern UI, on a tablet. I loved Windows RT, there just weren't any mature apps when compared to their cousins on Android and iOS. That problem hopefully will resolve itself, if the sales ever pick up. My point is there is no reason to have your mobile interface dangling there in your desktop world like an unwanted wart. Honestly, the ideal solution would not be to get rid of it either, the ideal, and what they should have done, is given folks the option to keep it or run with just desktop and unload that tablet interface. They can still easily design that in the future. No eco system changes, Modern UI lives on. As I stated before, if Modern UI can't stand on its own in the mobile world without the desktop, it's dead already.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770k
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 630
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23 inch LED
    Screen Resolution
    1680X1050
    Hard Drives
    1 internal 1tb, 1 external 3tb
The more I use Windows 8, the more I like it. I think my main problem was learning where the stuff I use is hidden on the desktop. I dislike the start up screen because I can't be bothered to learn how to organize it, it seems to have a mind of its own as to how it should be organized, and why would I want to waste my time doing that when I have the desktop organized the way I want?
It really isn't much of a bother to customize the start screen or the desktop, certainly, it is different from previous versions of Windows.
Is it worth the bother of installing the 8.1 preview now to have a look at it or just wait for the release?
If you have a spare drive, machine, and the time, you should try 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
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